If your costume includes a cape tomorrow…maybe tie it twice. We’re in for a classic blustery Halloween across New England – widespread gusts 30–40 mph, and a few 40–50 mph bursts at the coast and higher hills during prime trick-or-treat time. That kind of wind “mixes down” from a strong low-level jet just above the surface as the late-day atmosphere stirs; think of it as tapping the stronger winds overhead and bringing them down in gusts. Expect leaves swirling, inflatable lawn ghosts doing the tango, and a couple of isolated pockets of minor wind damage or brief outages.
Melissa continues racing NE, passing well NW of Bermuda and making its closest approach to New England several hundred miles offshore. No direct impacts here – but the swell is no joke. Offshore wave heights peak Friday night into Saturday in the 10–20+ foot range, with 5–10 ft on the outer Cape and 3–4 ft closer to shore. Mariners: Friday/Saturday are high-risk periods for small craft, especially on the open Atlantic side. Surf gradually subsides Saturday evening into Sunday as Melissa transitions to an extratropical cyclone and arcs toward the North Atlantic.
Wind: 30–40 mph most towns; 40–50 mph possible Cape/Islands & hilltops.
Feels like: 30s inland, 40s near the coast early; trending toward around 40° late east, 30s interior, some 20s in western high terrain. Last Halloween hit the upper 70s in Boston; not this year – gloves and a warm layer will go a long way for the little goblins.
Sky & showers: Dry breaks south with a stray sprinkle towards the tail end of trick-or-treating; a few lingering showers west/north. Far north: evening snow showers in the mountains.
Wrap-around moisture sparks snow showers in the northern mountains tonight into early Saturday. A coating to 1–2″ is possible on the highest summits of northern VT and NH by daybreak Saturday. Roads are mainly just damp to briefly slick in the highest terrain.
Saturday: Still breezy early (an isolated 40 mph gust first half), then easing to 20–30 mph gusts afternoon. Sun–cloud mix; highs 40s north, 50s south but it feels ~5–10° cooler in the breeze.
Sunday: The pick. Lighter wind, lots of sun, highs 40s north, 50s south – a crisp, beautiful fall day. Clocks “fall back” at 2 AM Sunday.
Monday is quiet with sun/clouds and a milder SW breeze (many towns 55–60° south). A quick disturbance brings showers Monday evening/night (most sleep through it). Tuesday turns cooler again with a few mountain rain/snow showers; most of us stay dry.
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