Significant Weather Outlook: Monday, January 5, 2026 10 AM
Weekly Significant Weather Outlook
No major storms reaching warning criteria look likely for this week and thus a low chance for a need to issue any series of significant weather message blogs. Will just note a few minor weather events. Refer to the latest information from the National Weather Service for weather updates. Unless a significant change should occur, the next message will likely be next week’s significant weather outlook.
Light Snow Likely Late This Afternoon and/or Tonight
A quick moving clipper low pressure system will move across the area tonight. Light snow will break out ahead of this system from west to east this afternoon and evening (mid to late afternoon in western sections and late afternoon or evening in eastern sections) and continue (perhaps intermittently) into the overnight hours. This system lacks deep moisture but may have enough moisture and upward motion in the dendrite growth zone for some minor accumulations. Looks like snowfall will be just a coating to an inch south of the Mass Pike and generally 1 to 2 inches north of the Mass Pike (highest over the Berkshires and high terrain of northern Worcester County). The snow may end as a period of freezing drizzle or light freezing rain late tonight.
Period of Freezing Rain to Rain Possible Tuesday night into Wednesday Morning
A warm front with overrunning precipitation will approach southern New England Tuesday night. Portions of interior Massachusetts (mainly north and west of I-495) may begin as a period of freezing rain before eventually changing to just rain as surface temperatures slowly rise. The precipitation may begin west of Worcester in the early evening but probably not until late evening further east. The longest duration of any freezing rain would most likely be in the Berkshires, the Connecticut River Valley toward the VT/NH border, and along/north of route 2 in northern MA. Major ice accretion is not expected, but travel could be difficult for a time on untreated roads. There is some uncertainty among the various weather models as to the location and duration of subfreezing temperatures. Thus, people in interior MA are encouraged to monitor later forecasts and any statements from the National Weather Service.
Coming Weekend
Looks like a series of weather systems will pass north of southern New England (probably along the St. Lawrence Valley) and result in periods of rain or rain showers over the weekend. We will be on the warm side of these low pressure systems with southerly low-level winds and temperatures probably reaching well into the 40s.
Next Message
The next blog message will likely be the scheduled weekly significant weather outlook to be issued on Monday, January 12, 2026.
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.
A blog is issued when there is a potential risk of hazardous weather to southern New England and serves to provide background information regarding the significant weather with somewhat of an educational slant. In the case of hurricanes, the author will attempt to issue a message when any portion of the United States coastline may be seriously impacted. It’s intended to complement and not serve as an alternative to official forecasts issued by the National Weather Service. Readers are urged to check National Weather Service forecasts and warnings for the most timely and updated weather information. This weather message is solely produced by the listed author and does not constitute an official product of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC).
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 January 5, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member
