This weekend is looking like a textbook case of why we include our videos with the Noyes’ 1DegreeOutside Weather app: this past Monday, Thursday and Friday looked showery, but much of New England had only a 10% chance of showers. In other words, only 10% of the possible solutions showed raindrops this weekend. If you watch regularly, you’ll remember Matt pointed out in Pattern Predictions he was concerned the chance of rain may rise due to an onshore flow, so to keep watch of that carefully. Here we are on Wednesday, and the chance of showers lasting into Saturday for Southern and perhaps Central New England has risen markedly. Matt outlines what that means for our weekend, as well as covering the incoming rain and building seas to end the week, plus delivers the New England Patriots Thursday Night Football forecast in today’s Insights video.
Showers Arriving Gradually
While dry air has dominated so far this week, rain is on the horizon as we approach Thursday. Showers will first move in along the South Coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning, bringing some needed rain to those areas. The heaviest rain will be concentrated on Cape Cod and Nantucket Thursday morning, and these showers will begin spreading north throughout the day.
By midday Thursday, showers will reach areas near the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border and into Southern and Central New England. However, places like the Berkshires and far Northern New England will stay mostly dry through Thursday. Northern Vermont, the Great North Woods of New Hampshire, and Central/Northern Maine will likely avoid much of the rain altogether.
Rain Expanding on Friday and Into Saturday
Friday will see the showers expand across a larger portion of New England, with Central and Northern regions starting to get in on the rain. If you’re planning to head out for leaf peeping this weekend, the northernmost areas of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine will still stay mostly dry, making it a great time to enjoy the early autumn colors.
The rain will continue off and on across Southern and Central New England through Friday and Saturday, as an onshore wind feeds moisture into the region. Expect drizzle and scattered showers throughout the day, with heavier showers possible Friday night into early Saturday. The further north you go, the less rain you’ll encounter, but Southern and Central New England will remain on the wet side.
Sunday Brings Hope for Improvement
By Sunday, we’re hopeful for some improvements! As the rain system moves southward, drier air may start to filter in, helping to break up the clouds and showers. While it’s possible that the onshore wind could keep things damp along the coast, inland areas may see the rain taper off, and some sunshine could even make an appearance by Sunday afternoon.
However, with these onshore patterns, there’s always a chance that coastal areas may stay a bit more cloudy and drizzly than forecasted. We’ll keep you updated on any changes to the outlook as we get closer.
Cooler Fall Temperatures Arriving
Temperatures will also take a step down as we move through the week. After one more warm day on Thursday—where inland areas could see highs in the 80s—we’ll transition to more seasonal temperatures for the weekend. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s across much of New England, making it feel much more like fall as we officially enter the autumn season on Sunday with the autumnal equinox!
Coastal Impacts: Rough Seas Ahead
If you’re heading out on the water, keep in mind that seas will be getting rough starting Thursday. Waves will begin building to 6-8 feet along the Outer Cape and up to 10 feet offshore by Friday, and these conditions will likely persist through the weekend. Even if the weather improves on Sunday, the seas will remain choppy, so mariners should exercise caution.
Patriots Game Forecast
For those of you heading down to MetLife Stadium for the Patriots game on Thursday, be prepared for some showers and gusty winds during the game. Rain totals during the game should be light, however, with winds gusting between 15-20 mph, especially during the first half. Make sure to bring a rain jacket and check the 1DegreeOutside Weather app for hourly updates before you head out!
That’s the latest for now! Don’t forget to check Noyes’ Notes and download the 1DegreeOutside Weather app for personalized forecasts, including hourly updates wherever you are. We’ll continue to keep you posted as the weekend approaches!
