The region is set to see very cool and dry air for the next few days.
The day will start chilly to downright cold as a strong Canadian high settles in. Skies will be mostly to completely sunny, but your out-the-door temperatures will range widely in the low 40s across Greater Boston and into the 30s north and west of the city.
A steep northerly flow will keep the temperatures contained to the 50s during the afternoon despite continued sunny skies. Boston will likely reach the mid-50s, with only southwest Connecticut breaking into the 60s.
If you have plans outside Thursday evening, you’re set to see mostly clear skies, but temperatures will fall rather quickly after sunset, which is slated for 6:12 p.m. Overnight lows may slip to near 40 in Boston, and parts of interior New England may flirt with freezing temperatures overnight. A freeze series is in effect Thursday night til 9 a.m., Friday. Frost advisories cover parts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
With some moisture present on the ground after Wednesday’s rain, there’s the chance for grass, flowers, and other vegetation to freeze overnight.
The setup — high pressure settles in with chilly conditions
High pressure is slated to spread throughout New England on both Thursday and Friday, setting up bright skies but with chilly temperatures. This pocket of cool air originated from central Canada and descended into the Great Lakes. The result? It’s going to feel like October, and we’ll have the coldest stretch of fall to date.
Thursday will be the coldest day of the week with forecast highs staying contained to the 50s region-wide, including Boston. Part of the reason for the dip to below-average temperatures is that the air will be exceptionally dry, so water vapor won’t hold much of the daytime heating, especially at night. Take a look at the dew points, set to fall into the 20s for Greater Boston and most of New England.
Boston and really the entire region will see a north-northwesterly flow throughout the day, ranging between 10 and 15 miles per hour, with an isolated gust to 20 miles per hour. If you’re not wearing a jacket or vest, you may feel a bite in the air.
Take a look at the nightly lows across Boston for the next week. Overnight Friday into Saturday may be the coldest across Boston, with the 30s coming into the picture for the first time this year.
Taking a quick look at the long holiday weekend, Saturday looks to be mostly sunny and dry across New England. Sunday may feature some scattered showers late in the day, with the chance for an offshore storm, or nor’easter, bringing strong winds into southeast New England.
Greater Boston: Bright skies with a fall chill. Highs reach the low to mid-50s along the North and South Shores, with the city reaching the mid-50s. A breeze of 10 to 15 mph is expected.
Southeastern Mass.: Sunny with temperatures reaching the mid-50s. A breeze of 10 to 15 mph, with a rogue gust close to 20 mph possible.
Central/Western Mass.: Mostly sunny with highs reaching the mid- to upper 50s from Worcester to Springfield, but only around 50 to 51 degrees across the Berkshires. A breeze around 10 mph is likely.
Cape and Islands: Some morning clouds and patchy fog give way to a bright late morning through the rest of the day. Highs reach the mid- to upper 50s. A healthy breeze is in place at around 15 mph, with some gusts between 20 and 25 mph.
Rhode Island: Bright skies are in place across the state. Highs will reach the mid- to upper 50s. A breeze of 10 to 15 mph is expected.
New Hampshire: Mostly sunny with highs reaching the low to mid-50s. A breeze around 10 mph is possible.
Vermont/Maine: Mostly to completely sunny skies across both states, with a chilly morning building to highs in the low 50s. If you live in higher elevations, you may best out at 48 or 49 degrees.
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Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.
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