Boston residents should brace themselves for a dynamic weather pattern this Halloween week, including potential impacts from Hurricane Melissa. Currently, the city enjoys mostly sunny skies with temperatures hovering around 54 degrees, as reported by the National Weather Service. However, Bostonians can expect a shift as cloudy conditions and a chance of showers are forecasted starting Wednesday, with temperatures marginally dropping to a low around 46 degrees tonight.
Adding to the weather woes, Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 system, is projected to make landfall in Jamaica before tracking off the East Coast later in the week. While the hurricane is expected to be several hundred miles offshore from Massachusetts, it will still influence weather patterns in New England, potentially causing "soaking rainfall and gusty winds" on Thursday, as CBS News reports. The storm could bring 1-3 inches of rainfall across southern New England with the most intense rain expected Thursday night.
Moving into the rest of the week, Friday's forecast predicts showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, transitioning to partly sunny skies and high temperatures near 62 degrees. The Boston area is anticipating strong westerly winds with gusts as high as 26 mph; an isolated sprinkle could linger during the day. For those gearing up for Halloween festivities, the weather should clear up by Friday evening, though "wind gusts during peak trick-or-treat hours on Friday will range between 25-35 mph for most of the area," possibly affecting outdoor decorations, as per CBS News.
Looking back, Halloween has seen its fair share of unpredictable weather in Boston, from "Snowtober" to Hurricane Sandy, contributing to a series of challenges for local celebrations over the years. Lately, weather patterns have ranged from several inches of snow in 2020 to near-record warmth just last Halloween. This year's conditions seem to continue the trend with Hurricane Melissa's indirect yet palpable influence, as stated by CBS News.
Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, so set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday. Sunset on Sunday will be early, at 4:36 p.m. For Halloween, expect a high around 60°F in the afternoon, with temperatures falling into the 50s between 5 and 8 p.m. It will be breezy, so dress warmly if you’re out celebrating, as per the CBS News.
