Boston started Friday on a deceptively quiet note, with mostly clear skies and about 48°F logged at 5:35 a.m. EDT on April 17, 2026. But patchy fog is already creeping in along the harbor and into low-lying neighborhoods. Expect reduced visibility for the morning commute and a small chance of light, spotty rain before midmorning. Temperatures should climb toward 60°F before a coastal breeze knocks readings back into the low 50s by afternoon.
Morning Fog And The Commute
Patchy fog will leave pockets of poor visibility on surface streets and bridges through the morning, so drivers should stick with low-beam headlights and build in extra travel time. MBTA riders are not off the hook either; some lines are on altered schedules this week, so it is worth checking for service changes and shuttle plans at the MBTA website before you head out. Anyone bound for the harbor or Logan should be ready for cooler, damper conditions close to the water.
Afternoon Cool-Down And Spotty Showers
A few light showers may pop up through the afternoon, especially along the coast. Overall rain chances are modest, roughly 20 to 30 percent, and where showers do land, new rainfall totals should only amount to a few tenths of an inch. Northeast winds around 1 to 9 mph will nudge cooler marine air onshore, so coastal neighborhoods can expect readings to slide into the low 50s later in the day. Outdoor plans that can tolerate a brief sprinkle should be fine, as long as you keep a compact rain jacket or umbrella within reach.
Weekend Turn: Strong Front Targets Sunday
Forecasters at the National Weather Service Boston/Norton say a strong cold front will move in late Saturday night into Sunday, setting up a round of widespread showers and gusty west to northwest winds Sunday afternoon. Sunday is expected to be the wettest day of this stretch, with highs near 55°F and periods of steadier rain. Behind the front, colder and drier air takes over, pushing Monday and Tuesday highs down into the upper 40s to low 50s. That cooler, blustery pattern should hang on into early next week before a modest warm-up later in the week.
Marine Outlook
Seas will run about 2 to 4 feet today, with the outer waters building toward 5 feet at times this weekend. Small Craft Advisories are possible Sunday into Monday as winds increase. Boaters should secure loose gear, check the latest forecasts before launching, and think about delaying nonessential trips during the Sunday frontal passage.
Quick takeaways: look for patchy fog and a touch of morning rain on Friday, cooler conditions along the coast through the weekend, and a wetter, windier Sunday as a cold front sweeps through. Keep an eye on the MBTA for any service updates and on the National Weather Service for watches or advisories if the forecast tightens up. Layers, waterproof gear, and a little patience with the breeze should get you through much of the coming week.
