Boston residents woke up to an icy start this Friday, with temperatures hitting at or below freezing, putting a freeze warning and frost advisory into effect for the Greater Boston area. As reported by NBC Boston, these advisories were expected to lift by mid-morning as temperatures climbed into the low 60s, with sunny skies forecasted for the remainder of the day.
The weekend, however, is shaping up to bring a significant shift in weather patterns. The National Weather Service's forecast calls for a predominantly sunny Saturday with highs in the mid 60s. But the tranquility is forecasted to be short-lived, as clouds are expected to gather later in the day ahead of a nor'easter poised to pummel the region with rain and robust winds.
Sunday's forecast, as laid out by the National Weather Service, anticipates a chance of rain, with overcast skies and strong east winds, gusting as high as 26 mph, and a 50% chance of precipitation. Moving into Sunday night and Columbus Day, the nor'easter is expected to intensify, bringing rain and breezy conditions, with the National Weather Service predicting a 70% chance of rainfall and gusts reaching up to 31 mph.
The nor'easter's impacts could be wide-ranging. According to NBC Boston, wind speeds along the coastline could surge between 50 and 60 mph. These strong winds may cause fallen tree branches, power lines, and potential power outages, as well as heightened surf that could pose issues with rip currents and coastal flooding. A Coastal Flood Watch has been posted for the Massachusetts coast from Sunday morning to late Monday night, signaling the possibility of minor flooding around high tide.
While there seems to be a discrepancy in the rainfall forecasts, NBC Boston noted that models vary, with some suggesting more than two inches of rain through Tuesday for the Boston area, while others predict up to an inch. The rainy conditions are likely to persist into Tuesday, with chances diminishing by Wednesday as a cold front helps push the lingering coastal storm away. Despite the tumult caused by the storm, temperatures throughout the early part of the week are expected to hover in the low to upper 50s, according to forecasts.
