Boston rolled into Thursday with mostly clear skies, morning temps in the mid‑60s and a comfortable high near 78 expected this afternoon. Light southerly breezes around 5 to 6 mph should keep the harbor mellow and make it an easy day for patios, dog walks and errands. Inland neighborhoods may run a couple of degrees warmer than the waterfront, so bank on a pleasant, slightly muggy afternoon rather than full‑on beach heat.
Tonight: Showers Sneak In After Midnight
Late tonight a warm front starts nudging in, bringing a shot at light rain after about 2 a.m. with a low near 62. According to NWS Boston/Norton, the chance of showers overnight sits around 40%, and most spots should see under a tenth of an inch of new rainfall, so widespread ponding is unlikely. If you have late‑night outdoor plans, it is a good night to keep a light jacket or umbrella within reach, just in case.
Friday: Muggy Air And Storm Risk
Friday looks more unsettled as southerly winds pull in muggy air and scattered showers and thunderstorms develop in the afternoon and evening. A few storms could turn strong, with isolated damaging winds or hail possible. The Storm Prediction Center currently places southern New England under a Marginal (level 1 of 5) risk for severe storms Friday, so it is smart to have a backup plan ready for any evening outdoor events.
Weekend And Next Week: Gradual Warm‑Up
A stray shower could pop up Saturday, mainly along the South Coast, but the broader trend heads toward drier, warmer weather into next week. Highs climb into the low to mid‑80s by Monday and could reach the upper‑80s Tuesday and Wednesday as a ridge builds in. No heat advisories are posted yet, but it is worth checking updated forecasts later in the weekend if you are planning long stretches outside.
Impacts And What To Plan For
For Thursday, commuters can expect mostly dry travel, though Friday afternoon and evening could feature pockets of heavier rain that slow traffic and leave roads slick. Boaters will find generally small seas (around 2 to 4 feet) today, but conditions may get choppier Friday afternoon as winds pick up, so check local marine updates before heading out. For a look at the broader pattern that led up to this flip in the forecast, revisit our earlier coverage in Boston wakes up soaked.
