Bostonians are advised to soak up the sun while they can, as the city is set to experience a drastic temperature drop this weekend, possibly marking the chilliest weather the season has to offer. Per the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service, Boston will enjoy mostly sunny skies with midday highs hovering around the low 30s midweek before a flirtation with the polar vortex sends thermometers plummeting.
The region's relative warmth today, with a high expected near 33 degrees, stands in stark contrast to the bone-chilling cold anticipated for the weekend. Despite a balance of sun and clouds intermittently throughout the week, Bostonians should brace themselves; as the NBC Boston's report indicates, "a chunk of the polar vortex will drop down into New England by Saturday, bringing bitterly cold air and numbing wind chills through Sunday." It appears that, the reprieve granted by the early February sun will be brief.
Friday's promise of partly sunny skies and a high near 28 degrees will swiftly give way to more severe conditions. That evening may introduce a spell of snowfall after 7 pm, with a continued chance of snow into Saturday afternoon and 40% chance of precipitation. Following that, a combination of partly sunny and mostly clear skies will take us through to Monday, though this respite will do little to warm the spirits—or the ground—with the high never cresting past the low 20s.
The weekend forecast paints a stark image of a region ensnared by winter's grip. Saturday night anticipates a dip into negative territory, hitting a low around minus 1 degree. As noted by the National Weather Service, "A chance of snow before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 17. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph," Bostonians will need to prepare for more than just the cold; the wind will carry its own bite. Come Sunday, despite the sunshine, highs will struggle to stretch into the mid-teens, a phenomenon echoed by NBC Boston's warning of "wind chills drop as low as 20 to 30 degrees BELOW zero!"
However, looking beyond the weekend's icy forecast, there appears to be a silver lining early next week. Temperatures are expected to make a rapid recovery, potentially turning the tables on the wintry conditions we have been entrenched in. According to NBC Boston, "We’ll snap back quickly early next week, however, as we watch a potential storm moving in by midweek." Even more surprising, "Hard to believe, but this may be borderline mix/rain if guidance keeps boosting the temps."
