12:25AM

“Halcyon Days” are defined as a stretch of chilly & quiet weather in late Autumn or early Winter. With high pressure dominating this will be the case for the next 5 days. It won’t be completely clear though as some high clouds fan across the southern sky and a few low clouds cross Cape Cod today from the influence of a wave of low pressure on the recently passed frontal system offshore. Another reinforcing cold front dropping down from the north late Friday night or early Saturday may also bring a few clouds with it, otherwise it’s quiet for a while.

There are increasing signs of a change in the weather pattern back to that of November, that is, chilly and dry. But let me caveat this by saying “dry” does not mean zero precipitation. It means below average precipitation. In fact, there is a chance of precipitation Sunday, and it may very well be snow for a good portion of the area. At this far-away stage it does not, however, look like a big storm. Just some snow that may be put down as we enter the final 10 days before Christmas. Stay tuned as this comes into focus in the days ahead.

For now, the updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH goes something like this…

OVERNIGHT: High clouds southeastern MA & RI, clear elsewhere. Lows from around 20 inland valleys to near 30 immediate coast. Wind NW under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: High clouds filter the sun at times especially southern MA and RI with brighter sun elsewhere. Also a few low clouds crossing Cape Cod from north to south. Highs around 40. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY  NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows in the 20s. Wind N under 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Highs 40-45. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Sunny. Low 30. High 47.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 22. High 40.

SUNDAY: Cloudy. Chance of snow and rain. Low 30. High 38.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 28. High 37.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Chance of snow showers. Low 21. High 34.

12:56AM

The unseasonably mild air mass that flooded the region and produce downpours and even some thunder for parts of the region Monday is on the way out as high pressure pushes in and brings colder and drier weather through the middle of the week. Moderating air returns Friday but another cold air mass will be lurking just to the north of New England and may play a part by later in the coming weekend in bringing some rain/snow to the region as low pressure comes along.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Any lingering rain showers eastern areas especially Cape Cod ending by mid morning, otherwise clearing with increasing sun NW to SE. Highs 45-50. Wind NW 10-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clear. Lows 22-27. Wind NW 10-15 MPH gusting around 20 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny. Highs 35-40. Wind WNW 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Low 20. High 41.

FRIDAY: Sunny. Low 24. High 46.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 29. High 43.

SUNDAY: Cloudy. PM snow/rain. Low 28. High 40.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. AM rain/snow showers. Low 32. High 38.

7:03AM

A very mild Monday as a warm front lifts north of the region first thing in the morning and a cold front approaches from the west. It will be unsettled though with clouds dominating and showers, some heavy, especially early in the day. Another round of showers Monday evening with a cold front passing west to east across the region will set the stage for a return to chilly weather Tuesday through midweek. Clouds may be stubborn to leave and there may even be a touch of light rain in southeastern areas Tuesday and a near-miss of snow in the same areas later Wednesday as a couple of waves of low pressure travel along the front which will slow down just offshore. High pressure will dominate with fair weather later in the week into the early part of the weekend with the next threat of unsettled weather coming later in the weekend, based on current timing of systems.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Cloudy. Numerous rain showers, a few heavy, moving southwest to northeast across the region during the morning, then scattered to just isolated light rain showers rest of day. Highs 55-60. Wind S to SW increasing to 10-20 MPH.

TONIGHT:  Cloudy. Another round of rain showers crossing the region from west to east. Lows 40-45. Wind SW 10-20 MPH shifting to W.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy start with a threat of a little light rain southeastern MA, then increasing sun northwest to southeast. Temperatures steady 40-45. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Increasing clouds. Low 25. High 40.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 22. High 42.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 25. High 45.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 27. High 45.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain and snow showers. Low 30. High 40.

8:49PM

Just an update to the eastern MA, southern NH, and RI forecast. Full discussion Sunday!

OVERNIGHT: Breaking clouds above patchy fog. Lows 34-39. Wind W under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Sunshine in some clouds into afternoon then clouds increase by late in the day. Highs 43-48. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clouds thicken and rain moves in. Temperatures steady in the 40s. Wind E 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Any rain ends in the morning, maybe a shower in the afternoon. Highs 60-65 occurring late in the day. Wind SE shifting to SW increasing to 10-20 MPH.

TUESDAY: Clouds linger, maybe a period of light rain day and a few snow showers night. Low 40. High 45.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 43.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 22. High 43.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 25. High 44.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 47.

2:18AM

Ok, we had our chilly day, and now it’s time for another wave of mildness. This will get underway today as a warm front moves in from the southwest, bringing clouds and eventually some light rain later today and tonight. Low pressure will travel northwest of New England by Saturday and we’ll spend a bit of time in the warm sector, but with a chance of rain showers as a cold front crosses the region. This will set up a nicer day on Sunday, though not perfect as many clouds will be around. Another low pressure area will travel up the St. Lawrence Valley just to the north of New England later Monday and early Tuesday with a similar wave of unsettled and mild weather. High pressure should deliver drier and chilly air to the region by the middle of next week.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Increasing clouds. Highs 45-50. Wind S to SW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. A few periods of light rain. Lows 40-45. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers, mainly morning through midday. Highs 50-55. Wind SW to W 5-10 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows 35-40. Wind W under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 45-50. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers likely. Low 41. High 56.

TUESDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered rain showers day and snow showers night. Low 36. High 46.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 23. High 41.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 22. High 42.

11:46PM

The cold front went through, the cold air has come in and will be with us through Thursday night as high pressure moves across the region. A warm front will approach Friday, bringing clouds back. This front may produce some light rain late Friday before the warm sector visits for Saturday, along with a chance of rain showers. A little parcel of drier air will make Sunday the better of the 2 weekend days before another round of unsettled weather takes place early next week.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

OVERNIGHT: Clear. Lows in the 20s. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Highs around 40. Wind NW 10-15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Increasing high clouds. Lows 25-30. Wind W under 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Thickening overcast. Chance of light rain late. Highs 45-50. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Low 40. High 53.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Low 33. High 48.

MONDAY: Cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Low 42. High 61.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 36. High 44.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 22. High 44.

4:45PM

Apologize for the lack of update since Sunday evening.

Other than a cloudier, cooler day today than I had forecast, there are no real surprises, and the pattern we are in now will continue through the forecast period in southern New England. This pattern was described in the previous post but is basically a milder pattern with a low pressure track north and west of New England and only brief shots of chilly air from time to time. One such chilly shot will occur Thursday. A more extended unsettled period will get underway this weekend into early next week but at this time I am still not expecting a tremendous amount of precipitation as the overall pattern remains a dry one.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers late. Lows in the 40s. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers in the morning. Highs 50-55 in the morning then  falling through the 40s in the afternoon. Wind shifting to NW 10-15 MPH and gusty.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows in the 20s. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs around 40. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 20. High 46.

SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with episodes of rain showers. Possible break with partly sunny conditions Sunday. Overnight lows upper 30s to lower 40s. Daytime highs upper 40s to lower 50s. Sunday may be slightly cooler.

9:20PM

A respite from the cold pattern of November is what we’ll see this first full week of December as the overall pattern is mild and rather uneventful. A storm track north of the region will bring frontal passages early Monday morning, Wednesday, and sometime over the weekend.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

OVERNIGHT: Mostly cloudy with episodes of rain showers pushing from west to east. Lows 41-46. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy. Any showers exiting via Cape Cod & the Islands early morning. Highs 50-55. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 35-40. Wind W 5-10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 55-60. Wind SW 10-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers late. Lows 45-50. Wind SW 10-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers in the morning. Partly sunny with  isolated snow showers in the afternoon. Highs 50-55 early then dropping through the 40s. Wind SW 10-15 MPH shifting to NW 15-20 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 28. High 41.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. Low 22. High 47.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. PM rain showers. Low 38. High 45.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. AM rain showers. Low 35. High 45.

3:11AM

Warm front slowly pushing northeastward will finally win out and the mild air will continue to scour out the cold and melt the newly fallen light snow during the day today.

Very weak cold front crosses the region tonight with a band of rain showers, followed by fair weather but only a tiny cool-down Monday as a small bubble of high pressure visits.

A stronger cold front approaches from the west Tuesday with a very mild push of air ahead of it, then passes through Wednesday with rain showers possibly ending as snow showers.

High pressure brings fair and chilly weather for the end of the coming work week.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Early morning patches of fog, drizzle and pockets of freezing drizzle with a few icy spots remaining. Highs 52-57. Wind SE to SW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers crossing the region west to east. Lows 42-47. Wind SW 5-15 MPH shifting to W.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy east coastal areas and Cape Cod early, otherwise mostly sunny. Highs 49-54. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 39. High 60.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with rain showers AM. Partly cloudy with snow showers PM. Low 46. High 50 early then falling.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 26. High 40.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 22. High 44.

8:20AM

A cold front passed by overnight, quietly in southern New England, but not before putting down several inches of snow in some of the northern New England ski areas! It’s also been cold enough up there to be making snow, so a bit of an early start to the season for some.

The cold front will come to a halt just south of New England today and mild air to the southwest and west of the region will ride up over it, creating lots of clouds today and Saturday. Some light precipitation may break out on Saturday but not looking for a heavy event. By Sunday, the front will have returned northward as a warm front and will introduce a thaw that will last a few days, until a cold front brings us back to the chill around the middle of next week.

Forecast for RI, eastern MA, and southern NH…

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 33-38. Wind N  up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Lows 24-29. Wind NE under 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Cloudy. A few periods of light snow (no significant accumulation) and rain. Highs 35-40. Wind E up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers early. Patchy fog late. Temperatures steady 35-40. Wind SE under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 50-55. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 43. High 55.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 44. High 60.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. AM rain showers. PM snow showers. Low 40. High 50.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 23. High 40.

8:42AM

It sounds like a rerun but the overall chilly/dry pattern of November will maintain itself right through the last few days of the month and into the first hours of December before moderation takes place for the early days of the new month.

The mostly non-storm (except some bands of moderate snow and accumulation in parts of far southern New England) is in a doddle just offshore but will pull away later today, allowing high pressure to build in for Thursday. A cold front will cross the region from northwest to southeast Thursday night, reinforcing the cold air for Friday.

As December starts, Saturday & Sunday will feature the approach and passage of a warm front which will bring clouds and eventually moderating temperatures. But with lots of dry air around and not a tremendous moisture punch with the front, precipitation will be scarce at best, and for now is being excluded from the forecast which follows this discussion.

Looking ahead into early next week, following the guidance of the European computer model which shows a bit more up and down temperature swings versus a mild spell. It still looks like a dry pattern even with the swings.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Isolated light snow and rain showers. Highs 36-41. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 25-30. Wind W 5-10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-45. Wind W 10-20 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Slight chance of a snow shower reaching portions of southern NH and northeastern MA. Lows 25-30. Wind W 10-20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH, shifting to NW.

FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. Highs 33-38. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 22. High 39.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 36. High 49.

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Low 30. High 44.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 35. High 50.

8:09AM

12:43PM (edit for time period and to tweak snow amount through tonight – no major changes still)

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

THIS AFTERNOON & TONIGHT: Overcast with periods of light snow northern MA/southern NH with little accumulation, periods of light to occasionally moderate snow elsewhere except sometimes mixed or rain in coastal areas with snow accumulations mostly a coating to around 1 inch except locally around 2 inches in some higher elevations south and southwest of Boston. Temperatures holding in the 30s. Wind N up to 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy.  Chance of snow showers. Highs 35-40. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 43.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 23. High 37.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 26. High 39.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 32. High 49.

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Low 33. High 44.

2:44AM

Simple week as we end November and start December. High pressure slides in for a bright, chilly Monday even though a weak boundary will cross the region virtually unnoticed. Tuesday’s a cloudy day with a touch of light snow mainly near and south of the Mass Pike (mix Cape Cod & Islands). This will be a very low impact event as it is a flat open wave of low pressure moving very rapidly along to the east northeast with very little support. Upper level trough swings through Wednesday with lots of clouds and a few snow showers. High pressure will be in general control Thursday & Friday with chilly/dry weather, though a weak reinforcing cold front late Thursday will result in Friday being the colder of the 2 days. The weekend (December’s first two days) will likely present more clouds and moderating temperatures.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-45. Wind W 10-15 MPH with gusts 20-25 MPH.

TONIGHT: Increasing clouds south to north. Lows 23-28. Wind light variable.

TUESDAY: Cloudy. A period of light snow mainly across the southern half of eastern MA and RI except mixed rain/snow in coastal RI across Cape Cod & the Islands. Snow accumulation less than 1 inch in areas that it falls. Highs 35-40. Wind NE 5-10 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Decreasing clouds northwest to southeast. Lows 22-27. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy.  Chance of snow showers. Highs 35-40. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 43.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 23. High 37.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 26. High 39.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 32. High 49.

9:15AM

This evening’s update will focus on the week ahead (Monday through Sunday).

This update will focus on the last 6 days of November (today through Friday).

It’s a chilly/dry pattern for November’s home stretch. A strong west northwest flow that was established with a cold front’s passage early Saturday will continue today before relaxing Monday. It will be strong enough today to pick up moisture from the Great Lakes (snow showers abundant around that area to the mountains of western New England) and drag it across New England. A few stray snow showers may try to reach southern New England (especially the interior and hills) before drying up during this afternoon/evening. So this means that the sun from the morning will share the sky with clouds this afternoon. Monday will be a sunnier day as dry air is dominant and the air flow relaxes somewhat. An open wave of low pressure will move rapidly east northeastward from the Mid Atlantic into the waters southeast of New England Tuesday and Wednesday. This storm will intensify over water but be moving so quickly and be far enough south to limit the precipitation threat for southern New England. It will be cold enough for snow in most areas, except some mix/rain immediate coastal areas and over Cape Cod & the Islands. Anyway, precipitation will be very light from this event over most areas and any snow accumulation is likely to be limited. High pressure returns with cold/dry weather to end the week.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Mostly sunny this morning. Sun mixed with clouds this afternoon with a slight chance of a stray snow shower reaching some areas mainly well north and west of Boston. Highs around 40. Wind WNW 10-20 MPH gusting to 30 MPH.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy with isolated light snow showers early, followed by clearing. Lows in the 20s. Wind W diminishing to around 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs around 40. Wind W 10-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Cloudy. PM light snow inland, mix coast, mix/rain Cape Cod and the Islands. Low 22. High 38.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 27. High 38.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 22. High 36.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 21. High 40.

8:06AM

A cold front is now moving offshore and in will rush colder air for the balance of the weekend, along with gusty wind. High pressure will crest over southern New England Monday which will be a fair and chilly day. Low pressure will ride out of the Midwest and bring unsettled weather Tuesday and Wednesday with some rain and snow, but this will not be a significant system. The end of the week looks fair and chilly again as the overall pattern remains one featuring below normal temperatures and precipitation.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY: Variably cloudy. Highs around 45 through midday then falling to the 30s late. Wind W 10-20 MPH gusting around 30 MPH.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows around 30. Wind W 10-20 MPH gusting to 30 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs around 40. Wind W 10-20 MPH gusting to 30 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 22. High 42.

TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Rain late. Low 28. High 46.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. AM mix / PM snow showers. Low 30. High 40.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 38.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 21. High 39.