Another spring storm is taking aim at New England, and while this one doesn’t pack damaging wind or flooding rain, it brings a familiar, frustrating mix of wet snow, chilly rain, and raw wind—especially as we head into the weekend.
A cold upper-level pattern remains in place, and that’s the key to this forecast. A deep trough in the jet stream keeps the cold air locked over the Northeast, while multiple disturbances drop south out of Canada, reinforcing the chill. Although much of the weekend storm energy is tied to this colder “northern stream” air, there will be just enough moisture and a modest injection of Gulf warmth to produce rain and even snow in some areas.
Thursday:
Thursday starts dry with increasing clouds. Any outdoor plans, including after-school activities, are a go. A south-southeast wind will keep coastal communities cooler than inland towns, but highs should reach the mid-40s to near 50—below normal, but manageable.
Thursday Night – Friday Morning:
Light snow and mixed showers spread into western New England Thursday night. Snow may accumulate 1–2 inches in the Green Mountains and parts of the Berkshires. Temperatures hover near or just above freezing in many towns, limiting how much sticks, especially on roads. Any snow in southern New England is expected to be too wet and warm to cause major issues.
Friday:
Precipitation lingers Friday morning—snowflakes in the north, raindrops in the south—but it’s not heavy. A break arrives by midday, offering a quiet Friday afternoon and evening for most. It’s a good window for travel or outdoor plans.
Saturday – Sunday:
Saturday brings the main event. Rain returns and becomes steady across southern New England. Snow may again mix in across higher elevations, including parts of central and western Massachusetts and the mountains of northern New England. Surface temperatures mostly above freezing mean accumulation will likely be confined to grass and colder elevations. Still, the raw feel will dominate, with highs only near 40°F and a northeast breeze gusting 20–25 mph.
Sunday stays unsettled, particularly in eastern New England. Showers linger and the breeze strengthens out of the north and northeast, with gusts over 30 mph. The weekend ends as it began: chilly and damp.
How Much Precipitation?
Total rain will likely exceed 1 inch for most of southern New England, with up to 2 inches possible in southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Northern New England sees lighter amounts. Snowfall will be limited—1–2 inches at best in the highest terrain Thursday night and again in some hilly spots Saturday.
Looking Ahead:
As Matt noted in this week’s Pattern Predictions, the stubborn trough begins to ease next week. That means a slow climb toward more seasonable spring temperatures starting Monday. Stay tuned as we track the shift.
