Boston woke up to a calm, partly cloudy, and mild morning near 68°F at Logan Airport, but the quiet is on borrowed time. Overnight, the National Weather Service expanded a Flood Watch for much of southeastern Massachusetts as heavy bands of rain gear up to roll in late Monday night into Tuesday, putting low-lying streets and poor-drainage neighborhoods at particular risk for ponding and brief street flooding.
What To Expect Tonight Into Tuesday
The Flood Watch, in effect through Tuesday afternoon, covers a broad swath of southeastern Massachusetts and calls for widespread rainfall totals of 1–3 inches, with narrow bands capable of dropping 4–6 inches in a short window. Showers are expected to increase late Monday night and carry into Tuesday as rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms sweep through. Forecasters say the initial batches could bring new rainfall of roughly a half to three-quarters of an inch. East winds are expected to pick up, and small-craft headlines are in place on the coastal waters as seas build to 3 to 5 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
Marine And Commute Impacts
On the roads, intense downpours could quickly cut visibility and leave standing water on low spots and underpasses, slowing both the evening and morning commutes. MBTA riders should brace for delays during the heaviest rain, while drivers are urged to assume any puddle is deeper than it looks. Out on the water, boaters should steer clear of open-water trips while small-craft conditions hang around, and coastal residents would be wise to tie down or stow loose outdoor gear.
Looking Ahead
Once this soaking system moves through, a drier and warmer pattern is expected to settle in by midweek, with mostly sunny skies and highs heading into the upper 70s on Wednesday and pushing close to 90 by Thursday. Friday and the weekend could feature a few scattered showers or thunderstorms, so it is worth keeping an eye on the sky if you are planning outdoor events later in the week. For background on how this soggy setup developed, check out how soaking rains were poised to snarl the commute.
How To Prepare
Residents in flood-prone spots should move vehicles to higher ground before the steadier rain arrives and secure any loose items outside. Avoid driving through standing water, remember the old rule to “turn around, don’t drown,” and give MBTA and highway crews extra time to post service alerts and closures. If you have to be out late Monday into Tuesday morning, keeping an umbrella and some waterproof gear handy will make the whole thing a lot less miserable.
