World and Nation

Cooler temps today, then a summery weekend

We had a summery first half of Orientation Week thanks to a high pressure system situated over the northeastern U.S. that brought clear skies and light winds to Cambridge. Temperatures topped out at 91 °F (33 °C) on Wednesday as southwesterly winds ushered in warm, moist air ahead of an approaching cold front. On Wednesday night, this cold front passed through Cambridge accompanied by light showers — if you were listening closely, you may have even heard a few rumbles of thunder!

Today, another high pressure system builds in from the west, leading to sunny skies and northerly winds this morning, becoming easterly by afternoon. Temperatures will be cooler today, maxing out at about 73 °F (23 °C). Tomorrow, winds will become southerly as the high pressure marches eastward, leading to a slightly warmer and moister day with a high of about 77 °F (25 °C). On Sunday winds will remain from the south, allowing humidity and temperatures to continue to rise, with a high temperature in the mid 80s °F (around 30 °C). With these warm temperatures and moisture in place, an approaching upper-level disturbance and its associated surface front may trigger showers and thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon, with showers and thunderstorms becoming more likely at night. A chance of showers continues on Monday, but skies should be otherwise partly sunny with a high temperature in the low 80s °F (around 28 °C).