Boston finished the month slightly below average. Parts of southern New England, including Walpole, Springfield, and Hartford, finished among the 10 wettest Julys on record, while most of New Hampshire and Maine saw the opposite.
Temperatures slip to more seasonal averages across Greater Boston, reaching the upper 70s and low 80s under partly sunny skies. A weak front will help lift some of the wildfire smoke, but haze will linger across the region regardless.
There is a weak front slipping into southern New England that may bring a couple of spot showers, mainly north and west of the city. Lows will likely fall to the low and mid-60s under partly cloudy skies.
The setup — a touch cooler, haze continues
The pattern shifts slightly on Tuesday with high pressure settling to the north of Boston while a weak cold front continues to move south. This will set up a break in temperatures and keep most of Boston and coastal New England cooler than areas inland.
Mostly dry air is in place, but the weak front will force some surface air into the higher atmosphere and produce a blend of clouds mixing with the sunshine. There is a chance for some spot showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon, but they should be few and far between.
Morning temperatures will be in the upper 60s and low 70s. There could be a few spots of fog in low-lying areas, but it will fade as the morning progresses.
Afternoon highs will likely be a touch below the typical average for this time of year in Boston and along the coast, reaching the upper 70s or low 80s from the onshore flow with winds of about 10 miles per hour. The interior parts of southern New England will reach the low to mid-80s, mostly around Interstate 95 and west.
The weak front will do some good throughout Tuesday, lifting some of the surface smoke higher into the atmosphere. This should drop some of the air quality alerts across the region, but haze will still linger to dull the blue skies and keep some spots smelling like campfire.
We’re going to stay stuck in this pattern for most of the work week. A blend of clouds and sunshine will bring the chance for a shower or two on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Again, the chance for any precipitation will stretch north and west of Greater Boston. Haze will continue to linger across New England but gradually wane as the week goes on.
The pocket of high pressure is also pushing away Tropical Storm Dexter. The storm formed quickly over the weekend in the North Atlantic and will be directed away from the New England coast and remain at sea.
Greater Boston: A slight onshore wind keeps the city and the north and south shores in the upper 70s and low 80s under partly sunny skies. Some lingering haze. Lows to the mid-60s under partly to mostly cloudy skies at night.
Southeastern Mass.: A blend of sun and clouds with the coast reaching the upper 70s and interior into the low 80s. Haze lingers. Lows to the mid-60s with partly cloudy skies.
Central/Western Mass.: Mix of sun and clouds with highs pushing to the mid-80s from Worcester to Pittsfield. Some spots will inch closer to 90. There is a chance for a spot afternoon shower, but they should be short-lived. Hazy skies are lighter but still lingering. Lows to the low and mid-60s under partly to mostly cloudy skies.
Cape and Islands: Partly to mostly cloudy with some lingering haze. Highs to the mid and upper 70s. Breeze to about 10 miles per hour. A few choppy waves if you’re on vacation at the beach. Lows to the mid-60s under partly to mostly cloudy skies.
Rhode Island: Partly sunny skies with highs reaching the mid to upper 80s. Hazy skies continue. Chance for a quick shower but low. Lows to the low 60s under partly cloudy skies.
New Hampshire: Highs to reach the upper 70s to mid-80s under a mix of sun and clouds. A low chance of an isolated shower in the afternoon. Still a bit hazy, but improved. Lows to the upper 50s and low 60s under partly cloudy skies.
Vermont/Maine: Partly sunny skies with highs reaching the upper 70s to low 80s. Some hazy skies continue. A chance for a spot shower in Vermont, staying dry in Maine. Lows to the upper 50s and low 60s under partly cloudy skies.
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Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.
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