Ludlow officials warned Thursday that cyanobacteria may be present at Haviland Pond; avoid contact with the water and keep pets away.

Sunny Friday with highs near 81°F and light winds. A mostly dry weekend turns wetter early next week with showers and thunderstorms possible.

Sunny, comfortable Thursday in Boston with highs near 80°F. South-facing beaches under a High Surf Advisory through 8 PM; avoid the water and heed lifeguards.

Morning fog will clear to partly sunny with a high near 85°F; isolated afternoon storms may bring brief heavy rain and gusts.

Ashburnham and state leaders marked the removal of Whitney Pond Dam, reopening the Whitman River and creating a new conservation area with trails and interpretive signs.

Scattered storms return tonight into early Wednesday with pockets of heavy rain. High Surf and Small Craft Advisories will affect south-facing beaches.

Sunny and seasonable today; a Gale Watch hits coastal waters Tuesday into Wednesday with rough seas and possible heavy rain.

Sunny and comfortable today with highs near 81°F. South-facing beaches face a High Risk for rip currents through tonight.

Hazy morning smoke and gusty southwest winds will give way to a 50% chance of afternoon storms. Sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor activity.

Sunny and seasonable Friday in Boston; very muggy Saturday with showers and thunderstorms and a heavy‑rain risk late into the night.

A dead whale washed ashore in Winthrop and became lodged under a dock; officials say a necropsy is expected as responders investigate.

The Massachusetts AG has sued MassDOT and contractors, alleging asbestos-contaminated soil was mishandled during a Boston-area bridge project and that workers and neighbors were put at risk.

Smoky skies and an Air Quality Alert blanket Boston today; expect gusty west winds up to about 28 mph and highs near 82°F. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity.