Fall has officially begun in Boston, yet summer's warmth clings stubbornly to the air, as the city experiences an unexpected, though temporary surge in temperature. According to the National Weather Service, with a high near 83 degrees today and a mix of sun and clouds, city-dwellers can expect a slight chance of showers, between 4 pm and 5 pm, followed by a possibility of showers and thunderstorms after 5 pm. The brisk southwest winds, reaching 6 to 9 mph, carry more than the remnants of summer; they also herald the prospect of a wet end to the week.
A cold front approaching from the west seems uninterested in respecting the change of seasons, and as it inches closer, it threatens to trigger thunderstorms and showers in the late afternoon and evening hours. "A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 pm," as NWS reported, noting that tonight's low will hover around 63 degrees with winds slowing to a gentle lull toward the evening. Patchy fog will roll in after 11 pm, wrapping the city in a misty shroud as the probability of rain ramps up to 70%.
As the week progresses, Wednesday will be gray and cooler with highs near 67 degrees and continued chances of rain. The National Weather Service indicates a 50% chance of precipitation, as the northeast wind murmurs at a mild 5 to 9 mph. Wednesday night ushers in showers once more, mainly after 2 am, under thick clouds that persist in the sky, while the chance of rain remains steady at 60%.
It seems as though the rain aims to linger throughout the end of the week, with the National Weather Service predicting showers likely for both Thursday and Friday. With Thursday's highs hovering near 71 degrees, and a 70% chance of rain, to turn a blind eye to one's umbrella would be folly. Meanwhile, the coastal effects of distant hurricane Gabrielle are felt in gentle, undulating waves reaching the shores. "Wave sets from distant hurricane Gabrielle are arriving at our shores," cites NBC Boston, soothing concerns for major beach erosion given the milder nature of these waves.
Looking ahead, the forecast anticipates a partial reprieve at the weekend with temperatures expected to climb back into the mid 70s. Starting Friday night, the city could witness less cloud coverage and only a slim 30% chance of showers. And come Sunday, the weather will largely clear up, rewarding Boston with a mostly sunny sky and a high near the comfortable mid-70s, offering a brief respite from the damp and dreariness that characterizes the week.
