7:21AM

Warmer air moves in today ahead of a cold front, which will bring showers tonight and slightly cooler air Wednesday. A warm front pushes back across the region Thursday with clouds but re-introduces warm air for Friday, before another cold front sluggishly crosses the region late Friday into Saturday with more unsettled weather, before cool and fair weather takes over to end the weekend.

Forecast for southeastern New England…

TODAY: Partly sunny. Highs in the 60s except middle to upper 50s along the South Coast. Wind S 10-20 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely. Chance of thunderstorms. Lows 45-50. Wind SW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts, shifting to W.

WEDNESDAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 60-65. Wind W to NW 10-20 MPH.

THURSDAY:Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 48. High 62.

FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. PM & night showers/t-storms. Low 51. High 71.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Low 50. High 60.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 40. High 60.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 38.  High 58.

10:52PM

Here’s a break-down of what I expect in southern New England during the coming 7 days.  Confidence decreases with time, as is typical, but more-so than usual this time because of what I mentioned in previous posts: chilly ocean, and fronts in the vicinity.

Monday (Patriots Day / Boston Marathon): Weak high pressure crests overhead with light winds leading to a sea breeze. For the Marathon, gathering runners early in the morning will be greeted by a rising sun filtered by some high clouds and chilly air with a temperature in the upper 30s. By race time, it should be rising rapidly through the 40s and hitting about 50, and as brighter sun comes out during the race it will warm into the 50s. But as runners approach the end of the course they will run into an ocean breeze and cooler air (lower 50s) but still with sun expected to be dominant. Inland areas will be less impacted by the sea breeze, and no impact at all is expected well inland.

Tuesday: Southerly wind ahead of a cold front = milder air except along the South Coast where wind is from over the water. Showers will likely push into the region from west to east during the evening with the approach of the cold front.

Wednesday: A little uncertain. Not sure how far south and east of the area the front moves. Should be cooler than Tuesday, but not too much so. Cloudiness is a wild-card. It may hang around especially in southern and eastern areas with the front not far away.

Thursday: Front pushes back to the north as a warm front. This means lots of clouds. Early feeling is that most rain associated with this front will stay west and north of the southeastern New England forecast area but will keep an eye on this.

Friday: Potential to be a very warm day with the taste of summer ahead of another cold front to the west of the region. Wild card again will be cloudiness. If the wind is southerly enough, plentiful moisture from the waters south of New England would result in more cloudiness and a lower temperature. A more southwesterly wind would likely allow for more sun and warmth before clouds, showers, and possible thunderstorms moved in from the west late day or at night.

Weekend: Front may be slow to clear the region Saturday, so going with unsettled weather. Optimistic for Sunday at this point, but far away and subject to change.

Forecast for southeastern New England…

OVERNIGHT: Mostly clear – some high clouds moving in toward dawn. Lows in the 30s except lower 40s urban centers and immediate coast. Wind NW under 10 MPH.

MONDAY – PATRIOTS DAY: Filtered sun with high clouds mainly through midday then brighter sun in the afternoon. Highs 55-60, cooling back a little during the afternoon. Wind NW to N up to 10 MPH early shifting to E and SE during the afternoon.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear evening. Partly cloudy overnight. Lows in the 40s. Wind SE to S up to 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny most of the day then turning mostly cloudy from the west late. Showers at night. Highs 60-65 but holding in the 50s South Coast. Wind S 10-20 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny north. Mostly cloudy south. Low 46. High 60.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy northwest. Partly sunny southeast. Low 47. High 61.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. Late-day showers/t-storms. Low 51. High 71.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Low 49. High 58.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 34. High 61.

3:02AM

A weak disturbance caused a few rain showers during the overnight hours though not everybody saw them. This disturbance will be moving away today but enough instability lingers for some variable amounts of cloudiness during the day. Weak high pressure moves in for Monday, which will be a decent Spring day, though not too warm, especially near the coast where winds will be onshore.

The Tuesday through late week period is still somewhat uncertain as a couple fronts will be nearby with cool air approaching from the west, not too far to the north, and of course over the ocean, battling a southerly flow trying to get established. The same low confidence general forecast remains in place for now and I will try to refine it a bit more for The Week Ahead post which appears later this evening.

Have a great Sunday!

Forecast for southeastern New England…

TODAY: Variably cloudy. Highs in the 54-59. Wind W to NW 10-20 MPH.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 35-40. Wind NW 10-20 MPH early, diminishing late.

MONDAY – PATRIOTS DAY: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 55-60 coast, 60-65 inland but cooling all areas, especially coast, in the afternoon. Wind SE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. PM showers. Low 41. High 66.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 44. High 62.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Low 42. High 62.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. Late-day showers/t-storms. Low 55. High 75.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Low 44. High 58.

4:26PM

More changes. Sounds like a broken record. But it’s normal for this time of year, moreso than any. As our Friday cold storm (rain & some mixed-in sleet especially north of Boston) goes on, I write about what is coming up during the next several days. This system will be winding down this evening as the heaviest moisture moves rapidly northeastward, out of southern New England. Lingering low level moisture with an onshore wind and mid level moisture on the back edge of the storm system will still hold the threat of wet weather in here into the evening.

The Weekend: Drier air works in at the surface but upper level low pressure elongated west to east and stretching just north of the region will send a couple disturbances across southern New England (Saturday night and again late Sunday). After early clouds break on Saturday, more arrive at night along with a chance of a few showers of rain/mix. More sun is expected Sunday but clouds may again fill-in later in the day with the next disturbance.

Monday (Boston Marathon & Patriots Day): High pressure overhead means light wind and milder air but the coast likely turns much cooler with a sea breeze developing. Early call for Boston Marathon weather is for dry conditions, lots of sun, but starting out chilly in the morning, in the 30s with light wind. During the race the temperatures should rise into the 50s with light variable winds, but approaching Boston there should be a sea breeze from the east or southeast with temperatures cooling back toward 50.

Tuesday-Friday: It wants to be warm, but it’s not that easy in the Spring in New England, especially near the coast. So while the upper air pattern supports warm temperatures, we need to keep a close eye on the ocean for sea breezes and back door cold fronts. Eventually a front will move in from the west, and there are some computer model differences on how this will take place, and when. The front may get close, then get shoved back to the west, before making another approach late week. With all this uncertainty, a low to medium confidence forecast will follow this discussion in regards to the extended period. Expect changes and updates to it in the days ahead. Please do not put too much stock in the temperatures for the Tuesday-Friday period next week. They are a 1-digit generalization based on a lower than average confidence forecast.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England (southern NH, eastern MA, and RI)…

THROUGH EVENING: Cloudy with lingering periods of rain and some drizzle possible. Sleet may still be mixed in with any briefly moderate rain areas mostly north of  Boston. Temperatures holding steady 35-40 most areas except 40-45 South Coast &  Cape Cod. Wind E shifting to N, 5-15 MPH inland, 10-20 MPH coastal areas, some higher gusts.

OVERNIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 33-38 but may hold around 40 near the South Coast. Wind N to NW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny morning, sunny to partly cloudy afternoon. Highs 53-58. Wind NW 10-15 MPH with higher gusts.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of a few showers of rain or mixed rain/sleet. Lows 33-38. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny through early afternoon then more clouds developing late day. Highs 56-61. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY – PATRIOTS DAY: Mostly sunny. Low 33. High 57.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 44. High 66.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 48. High 64.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 55. High 68.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. PM showers/t-storms. Low 58. High 78.

7:19AM

Quick update for now… No big changes. Full update later.

TODAY TONIGHT: Overcast. Periods of rain, except some sleet and snow at times southern NH and the MA border inland. Temperatures cooling into the 30s mainly north of  Route 2 and away from the shore, 40s elsewhere. Wind E to NE increasing to 10-20 MPH inland, 15-25 MPH coast, with higher gusts.

SATURDAY: Variably cloudy. Isolated rain/mix showers. Highs around 50. Wind N-NW 10-20 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 33. High 56.

MONDAY – PATRIOTS DAY: Partly cloudy. Low 40. High 59.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 50. High 68.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 44. High 54.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Low 45. High 60.

7:33AM

Full discussion and new forecast again this afternoon, including Boston Marathon weather.

This is just a quick update with a few highlights.

Unsettled into Saturday but the only really wet day will be Friday, but enough cold air for some sleet/snow to work into parts of southern NH and maybe even far northern MA. Accumulation looks like it will be limited to the Concord NH area and possibly some higher elevations of north central MA where up to 1 or 2 inches of snow/sleet may build up between early Friday morning and late Friday night.

Improving weather later in the weekend, though Saturday will not be a terrible day. It just may feature some cloudiness & a few spot showers with lingering instability.

Early next week looks fair and warmer, but we may be playing a game again with a boundary of much cooler air to the north and of course the threat of ocean breezes too. More on this later.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England…

TODAY: Overcast. Patchy drizzle or sprinkles of light rain possible. Temperatures holding in the 40s. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Periods of rain, except some sleet and snow at times southern NH and the MA border inland. Temperatures cooling into the 30s mainly north of  Route 2 and away from the shore, 40s elsewhere. Wind E to NE increasing to 10-20 MPH inland, 15-25 MPH coast, with higher gusts.

SATURDAY: Variably cloudy. Isolated rain/mix showers. Highs around 50. Wind N-NW 10-20 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 33. High 56.

MONDAY – PATRIOTS DAY: Partly cloudy. Low 40. High 63.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 50. High 68.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 44. High 54.

4:26PM

70+ for the first time in many areas Tuesday! But it came along with a gusty wind. Still, quite enjoyable. And I hope you did enjoy it, because that short-lived party is about to end. A front will sink southward across the region tonight as another disturbance passes by. This front will then spend a few days south of the region with additional disturbances, keeping it cloudy, much cooler, and occasionally wet. A stronger low pressure system passing just southeast of New England Friday night may even have enough cold air associated with it for mix/snow in parts of the region (timing will be key). Looking ahead to the weekend, looks dry and chilly Saturday, not as cool Sunday, and for those extending the weekend to Patriots Day (Monday), it looks fair and mild. Have to keep a close eye on things heading into the middle of next week as it appears additional back door cold fronts and high pressure to the north may put a lid on any possibility of a lasting warm-up.

Forecast for southeastern New England…

TONIGHT: Increasing clouds. Rain showers arriving west to east well after midnight. Lows around 50. Wind NW to N 5-15 MPH becoming variable under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Rain showers end west to east in the morning. Highs 55-60 in the morning then cooling back through the 50s to the upper and middle 40s by late in the day.  Wind E to NE 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with episodes of rain. Lows 40-45. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Cloudy. Chance of sprinkles of rain or drizzle. Highs 45-50. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Overcast. Periods of rain south, rain/sleet/snow north. Low 32. High 39.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 32. High 53.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 38. High 56.

MONDAY – PATRIOTS DAY: Mostly sunny. Low 44. High 66.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 40. High 51.

5:54PM

The only thing normal about April is that it is seldom ever “normal”, that is, on any given day, the temperatures are usually not all that close to the long term averages. It is much variability that leads to these averages, and this will be the case during the next 7 days.

After a weekend that featured a gusty northwesterly breeze and chilly air on Saturday and a continued gusty breeze Sunday, this time from the south, and slightly milder air, a cold front will swing through during the late night hours tonight with nothing more than a few passing rain showers. This will set the stage for a bright day Monday but with not that much cold air behind the cold front, it will be on the mild side. This front will push back to the north Monday night into Tuesday morning when clouds and another shower threat occurs. Can’t rule out thunder as this warm front pushes through. Timing is perfect that this front gets far enough north to open the gates to much warmer air for Tuesday midday and afternoon. Many areas (except where winds cross cool water along the irregular coastline) will see their first day near or above 70. It is not out of the question that with enough sunshine, a few inland locations could make a run at 80 before the afternoon is out. Though this would be a much above normal temperature, it is not that unusual to get a day or 2 like this in the month of April. Enjoy that brief warmth, because the same front will oscillate southward again Wednesday and then probably set up shop just south of New England for the second half of the work week, leading to a cooling trend and more unsettled weather. By next weekend, a stronger low pressure wave that comes through late Friday should be exiting by Saturday. With some uncertainty in timing, the early call on next weekend is dry weather, windy/chilly Saturday, less wind/milder Sunday. Of course, during Spring, changes can happen quickly, so remember to check back daily for updates.

For now, here’s my best shot at the week ahead weather for southeastern New England…

TONIGHT: Lots of clouds until well after midnight along with a few passing rain showers. Clearing out west to east by dawn. Lows in the 40s. Wind SW shifting to W, 15-25 MPH gusting to 35 MPH early, diminishing later.

MONDAY: Sunshine dominates but clouds appear in the western sky by the end of the day. Highs break 60 in most areas and reach 65 in some, some 50s Cape Cod & Islands. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clouds increase. Perhaps a rain shower in some locations overnight. Lows upper 40s to lower 50s. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Clouds dominate the morning along with the threat of a few showers and even possibly a thunderstorm. Sunshine prevails midday and afternoon. Highs around 70 most areas, may shoot well into the 70s some interior areas but hold in the 60s or even upper 50s where wind comes off water (especially South Coast &  Cape Cod/Islands). Wind SW 5-15 MPH morning, W 10-20 MPH afternoon.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. AM shower. Low 49. High 56.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 39. High 49.

FRIDAY: Cloudy. PM rain, may end as mix/snow night. Low 36. High 44.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny & windy. Low 33. High 53.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 41. High 64.

8:26AM

This is really only a quick update again, but there is some good news in it. Timing is such that we may make it to 70 in parts of the region on Tuesday before cool air returns. The warmer air responsible for the shot at 70+ is moving in today and will cause some cloudiness as it comes in via a weak warm front. This will be followed by a weak cold front that may bring a rain shower tonight but never really clears the region before heading back by late Monday night or early Tuesday to the north allowing a second, stronger warm push. A stronger cold front will come through at midweek and will start a falling temperature trend and set up the possibility of unsettled weather later in the week upcoming. More on this later in The Week Ahead post this evening.

Forecast for southeastern New England…

TODAY: Variably cloudy. Highs 60-65 except 50s south-facing shores. Wind S increasing to 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Lows 45-50. Wind SW 10-15 MPH shifting to W.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs around 60. Wind W to variable 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 50. High 70, cooler some coastal areas.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of rain showers early. Low 50. High 60.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 40. High 50.

FRIDAY: Cloudy. Low 35. High 45.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Early rain/mix. Low 33. High 48.

7:29PM

This is a quick update on the previous blog as there are no big changes, just a few timing tweaks.

Cold front going through southern New England now (Friday evening), cold air set to rush in during the night and linger into Saturday. Warm front traverses the region early Sunday, leading mild air back into the region. Another cold front will settle across the region from north to south Monday and set up a situation where a front will oscillate back and forth around the area for much of next week, making temperature forecasts very difficult. Eventually it may turn more unsettled later next week as well.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England…

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy early then clear. Lows 25-30 inland, 30-35 Boston and coast. Wind NW 10-20 MPH gusting to 30 MPH, sending wind chill to the upper teens late.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 45-50. Wind NW 10-20 MPH gusting to 30 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows 35-40. Wind NW 5-15 MPH early, light variable for a while, then S 5-10 MPH overnight.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy in the morning. Partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs 60-65 but remaining in the 50s south-facing coastal areas. Wind S to SW 10-20 MPH gusting around 30 MPH.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 43. High 60 then turning much cooler coast.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 38. High 55 coast to 65 far inland.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 38. High 45 coast to 55 inland.

THURSDAY: Variably cloudy. Low 36. High 48 coast to 54 inland.

FRIDAY: Cloudy. Low 39. High 48.

3:55PM

This 7 day forecast will be fairly low confidence because there is a whole lot of potential for big differences resulting from only slight shifts in positioning of weather systems.

This is how I think it will break down (many updates to follow as we progress):

Tonight… High pressure slips south of the region. Dry and chilly but not as cold as the last few nights.

Friday… Low pressure tracks east northeastward, south of New England, throwing some clouds across the region and perhaps a period of rain across RI and southeastern MA in the morning. This low pressure area will be moving more quickly that I had originally thought, so the timing is faster than you saw on my last update (which obviously means that any rain/snow threat for Friday night is non-existent).

Saturday… High pressure builds in from the west with a chilly and breezy start to the day, then clouds slide in from the west late in the day as a warm front approaches from the west.

Sunday… Warm front should push through the region but the day may start gray before becoming brighter and warmer.

Monday… Indications that the frontal boundary that moves north of southern New England Sunday slides back down the coast as a back-door cold front, chilling off at least eastern MA. Cloudiness will be a wild card so will play the wording generically for now.

Tuesday… “Anything can happen.” Well this many days in advance I suppose that is somewhat true. I have seen forecasts ranging through the 60s to 70 for temperatures, but I’m going to make an early call of a mild day, but below 60, behind a weak wave of low pressure and front pushing south of the region and small bubble of high pressure moving in.

Middle of next week… Looking colder to me, and have to watch the potential for some storminess before the week is out.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England (southern NH, RI, and eastern MA)…

TONIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows in the 30s. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Cloudy morning but thickest cloudiness southeastern MA and RI where some rain is possible, and clouds may be thin enough for sun to show through to the northwest. Increasing sunshine afternoon. Highs around 50. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows around 30 inland, middle to upper 30s over coastal areas. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

SATURDAY: Sunshine much of day, clouds advance late. Highs around 50. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Clouds early, more sun later. Low 38. High 64.

MONDAY: Sun early, more clouds later. Low 44. High 60 but possibly much cooler coast.

TUESDAY: Variably cloudy. Low 39. High 56.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 35. High 49.

7:43AM

Many people this time of year ask the question: “Where is Spring?” The answer I give is: “This IS Spring”. I am not sure where the idea that Spring in New England brings consistent warmth and fair weather came from. But other than in a very anomalous pattern, it could not be further from the truth, and again that will be shown in the coming several days as a variety of weather systems and air masses impact this area including cold winds between high pressure and low pressure funneling a late-season arctic airmass across the region today, milder winds around the back side of high pressure Thursday, a wave of low pressure passing just to the south of the region Friday and Friday night, the cool side of high pressure Saturday, the warmer side of it again Sunday, and more changes early next week as well.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England…

TODAY: Sunny start then passing clouds. Highs upper 30s to lower 40s. Wind W 10-20 MPH gusting to 30 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clouds vanish early. Lows in the 20s. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 50-55. Wind WSW 10-20 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. PM rain, may change to mix/snow before ending late at night. Low 38. High 53.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 32. High 49.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 39. High 63.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 44. High 54.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 38. High 52.

5:38PM

After a mild and fair weekend and first 2/3 of Monday to end March and start April, we’re in a transition as a strong cold front crosses the region from west to east to end Monday. During the night, cold air will rush in, and will be with southern New England into the middle of the week as high pressure builds in but is centered west of the region, allowing a northwesterly flow and direct access by the cold air. High pressure sinks to the south by Thursday and moderation will be swift, but will be cut off by another cold front Friday. Along with this we’ll be watching the track of a wave of low pressure passing south of the area Friday night which could bring some rain and even a little snow if timing is right. Looking ahead to next weekend, still no changes from the previous outlook – a drier weekend with a chilly start and a warmer finish.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England (RI, eastern MA, and southern NH)…

THROUGH SUNSET/TWILIGHT: Lots of clouds. Showers and thunderstorms pushing across east coastal and southeastern MA, lastly across Cape Cod and the Islands. Brief downpours possible. Temperatures falling into and through the 40s. Wind W 10-20 MPH and gusty, with some gusts to 40+ MPH possible.

OVERNIGHT: Clearing. Lows in the 20s. Wind W 10-20 MPH, gusting to 30 MPH.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-45. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusting to 30 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 25-30. Wind NW 10-15 MPH, gusting to 25 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 42-47. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, gusting to 30 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 31. High 54.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers day, a period of rain or snow at night. Low 33. High 48.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny AM. Mostly sunny PM. Low 30. High 51.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny AM. Partly cloudy PM. Low 38. High 64.

MONDAY: Increasing clouds. Late-day rain showers. Low 46. High 62.

5:14PM

The first week of April 2013 will be a week of changing weather. It starts with low pressure lifting away to the northeast for April Fool’s Day, but it’s no joke that it will be a mild day. However it does carry a shower and thunderstorm threat as a secondary cold front approaches (the first having gone through pre-dawn ending a good slug of rain tonight). This front, when it passes, will deliver a late-season shot of cold air for Tuesday & Wednesday, followed by milder weather Thursday as high pressure that first builds in from Canada sinks to the south and a westerly wind develops. But another cold front will deliver some chilly air for Friday and a wave of low pressure passing south of New England Friday night and early Saturday will bring the chance of precipitation (rain and snow, with the snow depending on timing and intensity of precipitation). Things move along though, and the majority of next weekend should turn out ok with a chilly start and warmer finish.

Forecast for southeastern New England…

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Periods of rain, possibly a thunderstorm. Lows 40-45. Wind S 10-20 MPH gusting 20-30 MPH.

MONDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of passing showers and possibly a thunderstorm, especially in the afternoon. Highs 50-55 south-facing shores, 56-61 elsewhere. Wind SW 10-20 MPH gusting 20-30 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 25-30 except 30-35 urban centers and immediate coast. Wind NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 40-45. Wind W 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 25. High 45.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Low 32. High 55.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain/snow at night. Low 35. High 48.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Chance of rain/snow showers early. Low 33. High 46.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 38. High 64.

8:27PM

Even with an overall cooler than normal pattern, we’re now in the time of year where you can feel it in the air. You can tell we’re climbing fast, climate-wise, out of the winter pit. The next few days will hold even more of this, as it is somewhat milder, despite the passage of a storm system Sunday night. There is a significant shot of chilly air waiting in the wings next week, but for now with a slightly faster and flatter jet stream flow, I’m looking at things being on the dry side, absent of late-season snow threats, for most of next week.

For those celebrating Easter this Sunday, expect a mostly clear and chilly start for sunrise services, sun giving way to clouds during the course of the day but turning milder (well into the 50s except where a southerly wind comes off the water where it will be cooler), and rain holding off until the very end of the day or at night, arriving from west to east.

Updated forecast for southeastern New England…

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows in the 30s. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, diminishing late.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 50-55. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 25-30 inland, 30-35 coast. Wind light variable.

SUNDAY: Sunny start, cloudy finish. Rain arrives south and west of Boston by late day. Highs 54-59 except 48-53 south-facing coastal areas. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Clouds depart early and return late, with plenty of sun in between. Showers/thunderstorms possible evening and early at night west fading to showers east. Low 48. High 60.

TUESDAY: Slow clearing. Low 33. High 48.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 27. High 46.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 31. High 49.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 29. High 46.