Hazardous weather does not appear likely this week.

Cold pool of air associated with an upper trough and radiational cooling enhanced by clear skies and light winds will result in unseasonably cold temperatures tonight dropping into the 20s away from the coast.

The rest of the week should see some moderation in temperatures but likely remaining near or a little below average given what looks to be a persistent upper trough over the Canadian Maritimes.  This is despite an upper-level ridge of high pressure that will likely bring warm temperatures to much of the Midwest and Ohio Valley.  There may be one or two opportunities for some showers, but no heavy rain appears likely at this time for the rest of this week into next weekend.

Next Message

The next message will likely be the significant weather weekly outlook scheduled for Monday April 27.

About this Blog and Disclaimer

The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary.  For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box.  For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.

The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author.  Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)

The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large.  Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences.  For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.

Message issued April 20, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member

Hazardous weather is not expected this weekend, but a significant change in temperatures lies ahead.  Saturday looks to be dry, albeit cooler than most of this past week for most interior areas.  Widespread showers are expected Sunday in association with a high amplitude upper trough and strong surface cold front.  An embedded thunderstorm or two is possible.  Also, rain may mix with or change to wet snow over the higher elevations of the Berkshires before ending but with very little/no accumulation.  Light accumulations are possible across the mountains of northern New England.  The precipitation should end by late Sunday afternoon over western sections of southern New England and during Sunday evening across eastern MA and RI.

Temperatures will drop to the lower 30s across central and western MA as well as northern CT Sunday night (upper 30s coastal sections).  Monday will be chilly with temperatures likely not getting out of the 40s followed by Monday night low temperatures dropping into the 20s across the interior.  Temperatures should gradually moderate during the rest of next week.

Next Message

The next message will likely be the significant weather weekly outlook scheduled for Monday April 20.

About this Blog and Disclaimer

The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary.  For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box.  For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.

The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author.  Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)

The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large.  Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences.  For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.

Message issued April 17, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member

A broad, large subtropical upper-level ridge is bringing warm temperatures to southern New England this week.  As one might surmise, temperatures this far above normal cannot be expected to be sustained for a long time in April.  A series of troughs will erode the ridge late this week into early next week.  This will bring temperatures back to near, if not a little below, average for this time of year.

Isolated Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Possible Late this Afternoon or Early Evening

Sufficient instability and vertical wind shear exist to create the potential for late afternoon/early evening thunderstorms that may bring isolated and highly localized strong, even possibly damaging, wind gusts to interior southern New England.  The greatest risk for any strong to severe thunderstorms would be across western MA and northwest CT.  Since there is no front or other strong forcing mechanism, a widespread severe weather outbreak does not appear likely.

Monitor information from your local National Weather Service office with respect to any watches or warnings that may be issued.  It is not practicable for this blog to chase any individual Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.

Rest of the Week/Weekend

Wednesday will likely feature more warm temperatures and a risk of widely scattered afternoon/early evening thunderstorms.

A fairly vigorous fast-moving upper-level trough and surface cold front may trigger numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms Friday afternoon/evening.  A few of those thunderstorms may be strong, but it’s too far ahead for an accurate appraisal of any severe potential.

A still higher amplitude upper trough and strong surface cold front will likely bring widespread showers and possible thunderstorms to the area Sunday/Sunday night and usher much cooler air into the region.  Temperatures will drop to near or even a little below average for the start of next week.

Next Message

The next message will likely be the significant weather weekly outlook scheduled for Monday April 20 unless localized severe weather potential necessitates a blog issuance before then.

About this Blog and Disclaimer

The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary.  For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box.  For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.

The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author.  Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)

The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large.  Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences.  For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.

Message issued April 14, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member

 No significant hazardous weather is expected across southern New England this week.

On the larger scale, an upper level trough across the northeast United States will move out around mid-week.  For the second half of this week, an upper-level trough will develop/deepen over the western U.S. as an upper level ridge of high pressure builds over most of the eastern U.S.  Cool and unsettled conditions the first half of this week will be followed by milder temperatures and drier weather for the second half.

Wet snow showers, possibly mixed with rain, are likely late tonight into Tuesday.  A coating of snow is possible early Tuesday morning, especially across the higher terrain, but roads will probably just be wet with minimal/no travel impacts.  Any showers Tuesday afternoon will likely be just in the form of rain, possibly mixed with wet snow over the higher elevations of the Berkshires and northern Worcester Hills.  Wednesday will remain on the chilly side but be followed by dry and milder conditions Thursday and Friday.

Looking further ahead, mild temperatures look likely for the first part of next weekend, but a backdoor cold front may bring a short period of cooler temperatures for the latter part of the weekend.

Once again, no hazardous weather is expected this week.

Next Message – Important Note

Since the author will be away on travel, the next significant weather outlook message will not be issued until Tuesday April 14.  Also, no updates or special significant weather messages will be posted the rest of this week and the coming weekend.  For forecast updates and any special weather messages, please refer to your local National Weather Service (for most of southern New England, go to: weather.gov/box).

About this Blog and Disclaimer

The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary.  For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box.  For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.

The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author.  Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)

The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large.  Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences.  For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.

Message issued April 6, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member

March 2026 was generally warm with average precipitation, very little snow, and below average sunshine. The approximated 24-hour mean temperature for the month of 39.4 deg F was 4.9 degrees warmer than the 1891-2020 130-year average for March, and it was 3.6 degrees warmer than the 1991-2020 30-year average. The average maximum temperature of 49.2 deg F was 5.1 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal, and the average minimum temperature of 30.3 deg F was 3.4 degrees warmer than the 30-year normal. After a cold start to the month during the first few days, warmer weather began to arrive, and a total of eighteen days were warmer than average. The highest temperature was 74F on the 10th, which not only surpassed the previous record for the date of 69F set in 1977, but also it was one of the earliest temperatures of 70F or higher on record. The lowest temperature was 8F on the 2nd. March mean water vapor pressure, which is an absolute measure of water vapor in the air, was 6.1 mb, which corresponded to a mean dew point of about 32F. This amount was above the long-term mean water vapor pressure for March of 4.8 mb, which equals a mean dew point of about 27F. The total precipitation was 5.08 inches, which was 0.44 inches less than the 30-year normal. There was frequent precipitation, which was mostly rain, and eighteen days had measurable precipitation. The greatest amount in 24 hours was 1.45 inches on the 16th-17th during the arrival and passage of a very strong cold front on the 17th, which also brought very strong southerly winds. The March total snowfall was just 2.9 inches, which was 12.1 inches less than average. The greatest snowfall in 24 hours was 1.9 inches on the 1st. Ponkapoag Pond was considered thawed on March 21st, which was five days later than average, and Houghton’s Pond followed on the 23rd, which was three days later than average. Since first freezing over on December 6th, Houghton’s Pond was considered ice covered for 107 days, which was the longest interval since the 2013-2014 season. The highest sea-level pressure during March was 30.70 inches on the 2nd, and the lowest sea-level pressure was 29.31 inches during the passage of the very strong cold front and inland storm on the 17th. The mean wind speed was 12.9 mph, which tied as the fourth lowest on record for the month, and the prevailing wind direction was from the south-southwest. The highest wind gust was 81 mph from the south during the strong winds on the 17th. March sunshine was below average with 163.2 hours of bright sunshine, or 46 percent of possible, which was three percent less than the long-term average for the month.

BHO Earliest 70-degree Temperature, deg F (1885-2026):

1) 70 on 21 Feb 2018
2) 71 on 24 Feb 2017
3) 71 on 9 Mar 2000
   75 on 9 Mar 2016
   72 on 9 Mar 2020
6) 74 on 10 Mar 2026
7) 71 on 11 Mar 2021

BHO Lowest March Mean Wind Speed, mph (1885-2026):

1) 12.1 in 1995
2) 12.8 in 2012
   12.8 in 2023
4) 12.9 in 2020
   12.9 in 2024
   12.9 in 2026
7) 13.0 in 2022

Mike Iacono
Chief Scientist
Blue Hill Observatory

Southern New England will lie near the boundary of warm and cool air this coming week.  Warm temperatures will likely prevail through mid-week followed by chillier air later in the week into next weekend.  That chillier air later in the period will likely be accompanied by raw northeast winds as strong surface high pressure crosses Quebec.  There looks to be multiple chances for light to moderate showers over the course of this coming week.  At this time, however, do not perceive a risk of any significant hazardous weather that would prompt blog messages.

Next Message

The next message will likely be the scheduled weekly significant weather outlook planned to be issued next Monday April 6.

About this Blog and Disclaimer

The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary.  For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box.  For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.

The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author.  Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)

The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large.  Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences.  For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.

Message issued March 30, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member