Worcester’s Thursday afternoon forecast now calls for rain likely, with temperatures holding in the upper 40s and northeast winds gusting up to 30 mph. The National Weather Service’s latest forecast for Worcester keeps rain in the picture through the evening.
Rain Builds Through Thursday Night
Rain is expected to continue Thursday night, with temperatures falling into the mid-30s and northeast winds gusting up to 30 mph. The National Weather Service puts the chance of rain near 100% overnight. Its latest Worcester-area forecast does not specify an additional rainfall total.
Rain and northeast gusts up to 30 mph could make the evening commute unpleasant, so allow extra time and expect wet roads. The updated forecast keeps rain likely this afternoon and tonight.
The snow risk is tied to elevation, not just the calendar: colder air may turn rain to wet snow in the Berkshires and Worcester Hills overnight, but the changeover is expected to be brief. The storm is being pushed south by a disturbance over southern Quebec, limiting how long snow can fall. At higher elevations, the main road concern is brief slush on secondary roads rather than widespread travel impacts. The National Weather Service’s Boston/Norton discussion outlines the elevation and storm-track factors.
Friday Brings A Rain-To-Snow Switch
Friday is now forecast to stay mainly rainy in Worcester, with rain expected in the morning and a high in the upper 30s. North winds could gust up to 30 mph, and the chance of rain is 80%. The latest forecast for southern Worcester County does not call for snow to become the main precipitation type in the city.
Little or no snow accumulation is expected in Worcester itself. Higher elevations in the Worcester Hills could see a coating to perhaps 1 or 2 inches, mainly above 1,000 feet; the greatest risk is near 1,500 feet along the eastern slopes of the Berkshires. Brief slush on some higher-elevation secondary roads is possible. The NWS discussion places the most meaningful snow risk in the high terrain.
The active alerts are geographically distinct from Worcester’s rain-and-snow forecast: the NWS coastal flood statement names Barnstable and Nantucket counties, while its gale warnings cover coastal waters. The coastal statement calls for possible brief splashover or very minor flooding around Friday’s high tide, with no significant impacts expected. The alerts specify the counties and marine zones covered, so those coastal hazards should not be confused with a Worcester-area warning.
Sunshine Returns For The Weekend
Saturday stays mostly cloudy, with a high in the mid-40s and a chance of scattered showers in the afternoon. Sunday is forecast to be partly cloudy, with a high in the upper 40s; drier weather is expected early next week. The latest Worcester-area outlook and the NWS discussion both point to cooler, mainly dry weather after the storm.
The tradeoff is a run of cold nights, including lows near 29 degrees Saturday night and around 28 degrees Monday night. By Wednesday, sunshine and a high near 57 could make the soggy stretch feel like a distant memory.
