Boston woke up on the cool and gray side on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with Logan Airport clocking in around 48°F and a light north breeze. Clouds should give way to some sunshine as the morning wears on, but afternoon highs are only expected to reach about 58°F, a few degrees shy of what you might hope for in mid-May. A light jacket is still your best friend if you are out before evening, though the afternoon commute should be calm and dry.
Afternoon and Tonight
Through this afternoon, expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 58°F and northeast winds around 6 to 9 mph. Along the harbor, a spotty sea breeze could kick in by mid-afternoon. Tonight turns partly cloudy with a low near 47°F and light south winds. Roads and rails should stay in good shape, with no major travel impacts anticipated for the evening drive.
Wet Midweek Arrives
A southwesterly system starts to shake things up late Wednesday, May 13, into Thursday, May 14, bringing a growing chance of steady rain and patchy fog. According to the National Weather Service Boston/Norton, showers could show up as early as Wednesday morning, with rain filling in from west to east later Wednesday into Thursday and thunderstorms possible Thursday night. Forecast models are generally lining up on a few tenths of an inch to over an inch of rain in spots, so plan on soggy sidewalks, slower commutes, and windshield wipers doing overtime. Out on the coastal waters, seas are expected to build, with Small Craft Advisory conditions likely from Wednesday into Thursday.
Transit And Harbor Heads-Up
The city has already flagged planned MBTA service changes for mid-May, including Red Line and Mattapan suspensions starting May 14. If heavier rain overlaps with shuttle operations, trips could take longer than usual, so riders may want to pad their schedules. You can find the full shutdown summary and shuttle details at Boston.gov. On the water, ferry passengers and small-boat operators should be ready for choppier conditions and possible schedule tweaks.
Looking Ahead
Conditions look to turn around late Friday as high pressure builds in, setting up a warmer, mainly dry weekend. Highs should climb into the upper 60s on Saturday and reach near 72°F on Sunday. If you are trying to lock in outdoor plans, Saturday still appears to be the safer call, while Friday night into Sunday morning may carry some leftover uncertainty. Keep an eye out for updates if any advisories are issued. We will post updates if advisories are issued.
