Cool pattern continues
Fans of the past week's weather will be happy to learn that similar weather is in store for the Institute for the remainder of the week. The absence of any strong weather systems will result in mostly sunny skies to begin the day, with a sea breeze and a scattering of shallow cumulus clouds developing in the afternoon. Our proximity to the Massachusetts Bay will keep temperatures from escaping the mid-50s (°F), causing high temperatures to be some 10°F cooler than normal for this time of year.
Fast-forward to spring
Today’s temperatures will be more than 20°F (11 K) warmer than normal for this time of year, as winter meets its premature demise in much of the United States. It has been a week since the high temperature observed at Boston’s Logan Airport was colder than its climatological normal, and today’s warm weather would be more suited for mid-May than for late February. This anomalous warmth is part of a pattern that has generated springlike weather over the East and the South, causing temperature records to be broken at many sites in those regions. Anomalously warm weather is forecast to continue for at least two more weeks east of a line running roughly from Texas to Wisconsin. With the first day of astronomical spring less than a month away, the prospect of a return to winter is becoming increasingly unlikely.
Wintry cold looms for weekend
An Arctic air mass will plunge into the northeastern United States this weekend, causing temperatures to plummet significantly below normal. The cold air will begin to make its way into our region tonight, as a stiff northwesterly breeze develops on the backside of a low pressure system currently passing eastward through Quebec. Cold air advection will continue through the day tomorrow, with the wintry wind transporting frigid Canadian air directly toward the Institute. By Saturday, the cold air mass will be firmly in place, causing both high and low temperatures to be around 15 degrees Fahrenheit lower than normal for this time of year.
Showers precede weekend cool-down
The Institute’s relatively rainy autumn continues today, as a low pressure system will develop and pass from west to east over southern New England. This storm will likely bring light to moderate rain showers to the Boston area throughout this afternoon and evening. Depending on its exact track, the frontal system could also bring another spike in temperatures: areas to the south of the center of the low will see temperatures in the upper 60s, while those to the north will remain in the 50s (°F). If the storm does pass to the north, a warmer afternoon with significantly less rain is possible. This afternoon’s storm system could bring up to a half-inch of rainfall, continuing a relatively rainy trend that began around a month ago. The weather monitoring station atop the Green Building has measured 7.30 inches of rain since September 30th, compared to just 6.56 inches in the four months prior. The fall and winter months generally feature more precipitation than those in the summer, so more rainy weather will be needed to alleviate the current drought in Massachusetts. After tomorrow’s storm moves out to sea, the sun will return for the weekend. However, temperatures will be kept a few degrees below normal by a brisk northerly wind on Friday, and by the presence of an upper-level trough on Saturday and Sunday.
Weekend will be warmer, windy, and wet
The best chance for rain will come tonight, as the first of two low pressure systems passes over New England from the west.
Rain to preface enjoyable weekend
A hot, humid, and potentially rainy Friday will precede a spectacularly sunny weekend.
Heat to increase throughout week
Those who missed the sun's rays over the rainy weekend will have a chance to catch them all this week, as high pressure brings clear skies, heat, and humidity to southern New England.
Summer heat gives way to showers
After strong sunshine and offshore flow brought Boston its second 90-degree day of 2016 on Wednesday, today will begin a string of cooler, potentially rainier days ahead.
Showers threaten to dampen commencement
A warm front will pass from west to east through southern New England on Friday, bringing with it warmer temperatures but also the threat of rain.
Work week ends with warm weather
The temperature in Boston will reach the 70°F mark this afternoon for the third time in 2016, as an approaching frontal system drives offshore flow.
A return to relative warmth
The Boston area is experiencing a return to climatologically normal temperatures after record cold enveloped the region over President’s Day Weekend. The most severe part of the cold outbreak came on Sunday, when both the high (12°F) and low (-9°F) temperatures were the coldest ever observed in Boston on February 14. An extraordinarily cold polar air mass was to blame for the frigid outbreak, which spread throughout the northeastern United States. The unique extremity of the cold air mass was captured by a weather balloon measurement in Albany, New York, on Saturday night, which measured -23.4 °F at the 850 millibar level (a height of about 1.4 kilometers) — the coldest temperature ever observed at that height in Albany.
A May-like start to February
Barely a week after a historic blizzard left much of the northeastern United States buried in snow, spring-like weather has spread along the East Coast. In Boston, where only 6.1" of snow were received in the January 23 storm, temperatures neared record levels at the end of the month. The January 31 high temperature of 57°F (14°C) at Logan Airport was 5°F shy of the record high of 62°F (17°C) set in 1913. The next day, the temperature reached 65°F (18°C), just 1°F short of the all-time record for February 1. For comparison, the normal high temperature is 36°F for this time of year, and the normal high won't reach 60°F until April 27.
Major storm may miss Boston
The Mid-Atlantic region is preparing for a major winter storm that is poised to wallop the Washington and Baltimore areas with up to 2 feet of snow this weekend. However, while this same storm was originally forecast to have a similar impact in New England, recent model runs are suggesting that the storm will take a more southern track, bringing it out to sea and sparing the Boston area from the brunt of the snowfall.
Warm, wet weather expected Sunday
After a record-shattering month of December, the first burst of winter cold has hit the Institute. Ocean-effect snow showers on Monday were followed by Tuesday morning temperatures at Logan Airport plunging to 8°F (-13°C), while a steady northwesterly wind made it feel like -8°F (-22°C). Here on campus, the weather station on the roof of the Green Building recorded a low temperature of 6.9°F (-13.9°C). These temperatures were in stark contrast to the last month of 2015, in which the average high was 52°F (11°C), it was 69°F (21°C) on Christmas Eve, and the temperature only dipped below the freezing mark on four occasions. On average, the month of December was 10.6°F (5.9 K) warmer than average, and 4.3°F (2.4 K) warmer than the next-warmest December on record.
Atlantic Ocean gets November hurricane
Although autumn is in full swing here in New England, the Atlantic hurricane season is still in session. In fact, the Atlantic basin is currently experiencing its fourth hurricane of 2015, as Tropical Storm Kate was officially upgraded to hurricane status on Wednesday morning. A weak Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph, Kate is forecast to weaken and become a post-tropical storm later today as it moves out to sea without impacting any major land areas.
Record highs possible Friday
The United States’ East Coast has experienced a period of unusual warmth this week. High temperatures in Boston have been in the 50s and 60s (°F) nearly every day for the past week, and we haven’t seen a high temperature below 50°F (10°C) since all the way back on Oct. 25. Normally, temperatures like this are more often observed in the first few days of autumn than in the first few days of November.
Brace for a brief blast of cold
The Institute will get its first real dose of chilly fall weather this weekend as an Arctic air mass ushers in some of the coldest temperatures this area has seen in months. The frigid air will begin to make its intrusion after the passage of a cold front tomorrow afternoon. The frontal passage will be accompanied by a shift in the wind from southwesterly to westerly, and an increase in wind speed. After the front moves out, a mass of anomalously cold air will make its way down from Canada through New England over the course of the weekend. The result will be that by Sunday, low temperatures will be below 40°F (4°C) and the high may not even reach 50°F (10°C). The last times that low and high temperatures that cold were recorded in Boston were May 2 and June 2, respectively. By Sunday night, temperatures could even threaten to break the freezing mark for the first time since April 2. The predicted temperatures are also particularly low compared to the normal high and low of 61°F (16°C) and 46°F (8°C) for this time of year. It will likely take until Tuesday of next week to return to warmer, more seasonable temperatures.
Picturesque fall weather to continue
This week’s pattern of sunny, seasonable weather will continue through the weekend, with a strong high pressure system forecast to move in from the northwest. High pressure systems, or anticyclones, tend to be associated with calm, sunny weather, since their clockwise motion (in the Northern Hemisphere) induces large-scale subsidence, or downward motion of air from the upper troposphere. The air warms as it descends due to the increase in atmospheric pressure, and it remains dry, since air in the upper troposphere cannot retain much water vapor.
Weather
Just in time for the autumnal equinox, the first hints of fall have arrived in the form of cooler weather. After last week’s unseasonably warm weather, a cold front passed through the Boston area on Sunday morning, bringing with it a cool northwesterly breeze. This breeze has ushered in a colder Canadian air mass that has brought temperatures down to around their normal levels. For this time of year, the normal high temperature is 70°F (21°C), while the normal low is 55°F (13°C). Indeed, the highs and lows for the next few days will be very close to those marks, as a strong high pressure system settles in over the northern East Coast.
Weather
A broad high pressure system will bring above-normal temperatures back to the Institute this week. With its center to our south, the high pressure system will bring clear skies and offshore winds to the Boston area for the next few days. Temperatures will near the 90°F (32°C) mark today as 10 mph westerly winds will keep cooler ocean temperatures literally at bay. Temperatures over the weekend will be slightly cooler as cloudiness increases ahead of an incoming cold front. The frontal passage will likely occur sometime on Sunday, ushering in a much colder start to the week on Monday. After the cold front passes, another high pressure system is expected to move in, resulting in a return to sunny skies for at least the first part of next week.
Semester kicks off with heat wave
The “fall” semester has officially begun at the Institute, but the weather has remained decidedly summer-like. Unusually hot weather has gripped the Boston area this week, as the last three days have been the top three warmest days of the year to date. In fact, Tuesday’s high temperature of 96°F (36°C) and Wednesday’s high of 93°F (34°C) were each all-time records for their respective days.
Rare hurricane hits Cape Verde
Although Tropical Storm Erika dissipated before coming close to the United States mainland, the Atlantic hurricane basin is not entirely quiet. Earlier this week, Hurricane Fred became the first known tropical cyclone to strike the Cape Verde Islands while at hurricane strength in over 100 years. Fred passed through the group of islands in the eastern Atlantic on Monday with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h)—strong enough to be considered a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Thus, Fred became the first known hurricane to impact Cape Verde since 1892.
Tropical Storm Erika threatens U.S.
Tropical Storm Erika is currently impacting the Antillean islands, and it could become the first tropical cyclone to strike the continental United States this year. Erika became the fifth named storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season on Tuesday, just a few days after Hurricane Danny became the first storm of the year to attain hurricane strength. After passing near Puerto Rico later today, Erika is expected to track to the north of Hispañola and Cuba in the coming days. By the weekend, the storm could be strengthening as it encounters warm waters in the vicinity of the Bahamas. While it is very hard to predict the motion — and especially the intensity — of a tropical cyclone several days in advance, there is a distinct possibility that Erika could impact the southeastern U.S. coast by the beginning of next week.
Cooler weather follows strong storm
A period of cooler temperatures is poised to begin after a severe thunderstorm passed on Tuesday afternoon. The storm, which arrived shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, brought heavy downpours, strong winds, and a barrage of hailstones to MIT’s campus. At Boston’s Logan airport, the storm brought nearly half an inch of rainfall in less than an hour, with recorded wind gusts of up to 51 miles per hour (82 km/h). Golf ball-sized hail was reported in Harvard Square, while hailstones 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter were observed in nearby Jamaica Plain. The storm capped off an especially severe weather day in Massachusetts, in which supercell thunderstorms resulted in multiple tornado warnings being issued by the National Weather Service.
Things are heating up in the Boston area
With a high temperature of 88°F (31°C), yesterday was tied for the second-warmest day of the year so far, according to National Weather Service observations taken at Logan Airport. Interestingly, 2015’s hottest day so far was nearly two months ago on May 10, when the temperature reached 89°F. Since then, Boston has recorded a high of 88°F on four separate occasions, but the city has yet to reach the 90°F mark. Although 90°F is an arbitrary threshold, this statistic is a bit unusual: on average, Boston experiences 12.9 days per year with a high temperature of 90°F or higher, 3.2 of which normally occur before July 1st. The lack of 90-degree temperatures so far means 2015 will have at least the 6th-latest occurrence of 90°F in Boston’s recorded history.
Commencement to be partly cloudy
The month of June is off to its coldest start in Boston’s recorded history. Until this week, there had never (since records were first kept in 1872) been a day in June during which the temperature in Boston didn’t reach at least 50°F. However, the high temperatures on both Monday and Tuesday, June 1 and 2, were only 49°F. The unseasonable cold began to abate on Wednesday as sunshine returned, bringing temperatures into the mid-50s. This warming trend will continue through the weekend, as temperatures slowly make their way back up to seasonable levels.
High pressure heralds return of spring
After a brutal winter in which it was colder than 40°F for over a month, the Boston area is finally getting a taste of above-normal temperatures. With a high of 69°F (21°C), yesterday was the warmest day of 2015 so far, 14° warmer than the normal high of 55°F (13°C) for this time of year.
Boston inching toward snowfall record
The onslaught of major snowstorms that struck the Boston area in late January and February has left the city just inches shy of the all-time record for snowiest winter. That record of 105.7 snowfall inches, set in the winter of 1995-1996, will be tied if an additional 1.9 inches of snowfall are recorded at Logan Airport before July 1st. In fact, the record has a chance to be broken this weekend, as a low pressure system will bring moisture from the Gulf of Mexico north to New England in the form of rain and snow. At this time, it appears most likely that the storm will begin as a mostly-rain event on Friday night or Saturday morning before a possible changeover to snow showers on Saturday night or Sunday. Although above-freezing temperatures may make snow accumulation challenging during this storm, there may be another chance for the record to be broken as snow showers move through the area on Monday night. That this record is on the verge of being surpassed is especially impressive considering that the seasonal snowfall total stood at only 5.5 inches as of January 23.
Historic snowfall will not abate
The greater Boston area has experienced record-setting snow over the past three weeks, and snowfall will continue at least through the weekend.
Nor’easter to bring heavy rain
Another nor’easter is poised to strike the Eastern Seaboard today, bringing high winds and a mix of wintry precipitation to the Institute. The storm, which as of Monday night was beginning to form off the coast of the Carolinas, will quickly intensify as it moves up the coast this afternoon, with the center of the storm forecast to move onshore over New England overnight tonight. While nor’easters often mean big snowstorms for the Boston area, the track of this particular storm, combined with its insufficient access to early-season Arctic air, will turn it into a mostly-rain event for most of our region. While today may start out with a mix of rain, snow, and sleet, the precipitation will change over to all rain as the day progresses and the temperature climbs into the 40s (°F). Rain and wind will become heavy at times this afternoon as the storm strengthens and moves toward shore. In fact, total liquid precipitation from the storm may be in excess of 2 inches. As such, the National Weather Service had issued a Wind Advisory, Flood Watch, and Coastal Flood Advisory for the Boston area as of this writing.
Nor’easter to impair Thanksgiving travel
Those waking up to temperatures hovering around 60°F (16°C) this morning might be hard pressed to believe that the Institute is in for a bout of wintry weather tomorrow afternoon. It’s true, however: Temperatures are as many as 20°F (11 K) colder behind a frontal boundary that will pass over New England today. This dramatic drop in temperatures will set the stage for a Nor’easter to bring gusty winds and wintry precipitation to the Eastern Seaboard tomorrow.
A final October warmup
Even though November is just around the corner, the Institute will experience temperatures more typical of mid-to-late September in the next couple of days. As a cold front approaches from the west, a high pressure system will remain situated to our southeast, leading to mostly sunny skies and warm-air advection. Until the front reaches eastern New England, winds will be from the south and southwest, allowing temperatures to rocket into the high 60s and low 70s (°F) this afternoon and tomorrow. The cold front will pass through tomorrow evening, bringing the possibility of rain showers as it returns temperatures to more seasonally-appropriate levels.
Warm air precedes late-week storm
The storm system that spawned severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes over the Mississippi River Valley yesterday will arrive in New England later this week, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall to the Institute on Thursday and Thursday night. Until then, the Boston area will be wedged between an offshore high pressure system and the approaching cold front. This setup will result in considerable pre-frontal warming, with temperatures expected to exceed 70°F (21°C) on each remaining day this week, whereas normal highs for this time of year are around 62°F (17°C).
Arrival of October heralds transition to autumn
As September ends, the weather patterns in New England are undergoing a transition from a summer-like pattern, in which forecasts are dominated by sunshine and sea breezes punctuated by occasional showers, to a more fall-like pattern, in which temperatures and precipitation begin to fluctuate more wildly with the comings and goings of frontal systems. October also signals a general cool-down: While temperatures in Boston reached 87°F (31°C) this past Sunday, normal high temperatures will dip down to the mid-50s °F by the end of the month.
It’s always sunny at the Institute
Sunshine and light winds are expected to continue this week as strong high pressure is poised to dominate the northeastern United States. A broad high pressure system currently centered over the Ohio Valley will merge today with a secondary high currently located over eastern Canada. The combined high will move over New England tomorrow, bringing clear skies and calm winds to the region. Light southwesterly flow may prevent a sea breeze from developing this afternoon, keeping temperatures a few degrees warmer than they will be tomorrow. A coastal storm will have a chance of glancing the Massachusetts coastline on Thursday, but current indications do not appear favorable for the storm to make it this far north.
Sunny skies in store
The last weekend of astronomical summer will be a pleasant one, as a high pressure system moves into place over the northeastern United States. Today will be a bit chillier than normal, as a sea breeze develops in the afternoon, bringing cooler air from over Massachusetts Bay, where sea surface temperatures are currently around 60°F (16°C). Tonight will be especially chilly, as clear skies and calm winds allow the land surface to efficiently radiate heat away, bringing temperatures down to the middle 40s (°F) early tomorrow morning. However, winds will shift to be from the south tomorrow as the high pressure begins to lift and a cold front approaches from the west. These southerly winds will bring warmer air up to New England, raising the temperature to near 70°F (21°C) tomorrow, and several degrees higher than that on Sunday. Expect a chance of showers on Sunday night, and temperatures returning to the 60s (°F) in its wake at the beginning of next week.
September returns to normal
The beginning of September has seen abnormally scorching temperatures at the Institute this year. Three days above 90°F (32°C) have contributed to September being the warmest month of the year so far in Boston. However, the cold front that sent a series of severe thunderstorms over Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon also ushered in a regime of more seasonable weather, and the observed high and low temperatures on each of the last two days have each been within 4°F of their climatological normals.
Scorching September
Although Labor Day has come and gone and the fall semester has begun, summer is still in full swing at the Institute. This past Tuesday’s high temperature of 93°F (34°C) was the hottest temperature of the year so far in Boston. Strengthening offshore flow in advance of an approaching cold front will cause temperatures to flirt with the 90-degree mark once again today and tomorrow. The best chance for heat will come tomorrow afternoon, right before the cold front passes through. As the front arrives, expect thunderstorms to develop and move across New England tomorrow afternoon and evening. There is a chance that some of these storms could produce hail and/or damaging winds.
Summer weather continues into semester
A series of above-normal temperatures is expected this week, as summer-like weather rolls on into September. Warm temperatures will be encouraged today by a southerly breeze ahead of a cold front currently approaching from our west. These winds will bring warmer air up from the south, although slightly cooler ocean temperatures will prevent the mercury from climbing too high this afternoon. The aforementioned cold front will pass through overnight, bringing with it a band of showers and thunderstorms. After the frontal passage, skies will clear, and winds will shift to be from the north and west. This offshore flow will allow the temperature to climb once again tomorrow, with highs reaching the mid-80s (°F).
Cristobal forms as hurricane season reaches peak
Tropical Storm Cristobal formed on Sunday in the Atlantic Ocean, just to the northwest of the Bahamas. Cristobal is the third named tropical cyclone of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, and like Hurricanes Arthur and Bertha before it, Cristobal is forecast to attain hurricane strength later this week. Although the storm is forecast to become a hurricane, it will not pose a threat to the United States, as strong mid-level westerly winds are forecast to sweep the storm out to sea.
Summer to make comeback after cool weekend
As summer comes to a close, the second half of August has been a bit cooler than usual so far at the Institute. While normal high temperatures for this time of year are around 80°F (27°C), temperatures observed at Logan Airport in Boston have not exceeded 80°F since Aug. 17. This trend of cool weather will continue into the weekend, as a weak low pressure system passes over New England. This system will bring cloudy skies, scattered rain showers, and a steady easterly breeze, which will blow cooler ocean air over the the coastal land region.
Bertha bypasses Boston
Tropical Storm Bertha is forecast to pass roughly 250 miles (400 km) off the coast of New England today, but its effects will barely be noticeable here at the Institute. The second named tropical cyclone of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, Bertha briefly attained hurricane status on Monday. Prior to that, the storm impacted the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. However, the storm’s path has since shifted to the north and east, and it is expected to go out to sea without having any significant impact on the mainland United States.
Storms to soak Boston area
The Institute will get wet today as a storm system that caused wind damage in several locations in the Mid-Atlantic moves northward over our region. Rain showers will move through the area throughout this morning and this afternoon, bringing with them the occasional heavy downpour, gusty wind, or rumble of thunder. Fortunately, these storms have weakened since striking the Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday, so significant damage or dangerous conditions are not expected. In all, less than an inch of rain should accumulate today — a much more manageable amount than was received on this day in 1998, when intense storms drenched eastern Massachusetts in over 5 inches of rain, and caused over 5 million dollars in property damage.
Showers precede spring warm-up
The last weekend of spring semester will get off to a rainy start. A frontal system will pass through the area today and tomorrow, bringing the possibility of rain showers, and even the occasional thunderstorm. Today, in advance of the system, onshore winds will combine with cloud cover to keep temperatures in check. However, a warm front will pass through the area overnight, leading to considerably warmer temperatures during the day on Saturday.
Spring has arrived
After an unseasonably cold month of March, normal springtime weather has finally found its way to New England. Temperatures in Boston have broken the 50-degree barrier in each of the last three days, and that city has not seen a temperature below the freezing point since March 27. This warming trend will continue for most of the upcoming week, with temperatures meeting or exceeding their climatological normals on each day. (For this time of year, normal high temperatures are in the mid 50s, while normal lows are in the high 30s).
Weekend provides a break from winter
It is the first week of March, and that typically means spring is just around the proverbial corner. The signs are everywhere: Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, duck boats have been spotted driving around town, the vernal equinox and Spring Break are just two weeks away. However, although the amount of sunlight has been increasing, the weather has remained staunchly entrenched in the season of winter. Although the normal high temperatures for this time of year are around 43°F (6°C), Boston hasn’t experienced a day above 40°F since February 24. This morning’s low temperature, expected to be in the single digits, will provide little relief.
Several inches of snow possible tomorrow
After temperatures got up to 55°F in Boston this past weekend, our area will see accumulating snowfall tomorrow for the second time in three days. While yesterday’s all-day snow event was relatively harmless — leaving behind less than an inch of accumulation — tomorrow’s event is expected to be more significant. At the time of this writing, the National Weather Service had issued a Winter Storm Watch for “late Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon,” forecasting the possibility of 6 to 10 inches of snow accumulation.
What is a polar vortex?
The weather has been a major news story this week across much of the United States, as extraordinarily cold weather has swept the central and eastern parts of the country. Temperatures well below 0°F combined with blustery winds to create dangerous conditions, forcing the closings of schools and businesses as people were advised to stay indoors. Many recent news reports have attributed the extreme cold to a “polar vortex”— but what exactly does that mean?
Frontal passages produce precipitation
A range of precipitation types is expected to fall at the Institute over the next few days as two cold fronts pass through the area. The first of these cold fronts will pass through during the day today, meaning that this morning’s unseasonably warm air is not long for our area. People enjoying temperatures in the mid 50s°F this at the start of their day may not be pleased to discover temperatures falling through the 40s°F in the afternoon and evening. Meanwhile, rain showers will intensify and become steady overnight, possibly changing over to snow before ending tomorrow morning.
Windy Wednesday could cause travel trouble
A strong cyclonic storm will have a big impact on this week’s weather in the Northeast. The storm, which as of last night was currently forming in the Gulf of Mexico, will bring high winds and heavy rains into New England beginning tonight. Although earlier forecasts had included the possibility of a travel-crippling snowstorm for this system, it is now apparent that there will be enough warm air advected ahead of the Nor’easter to keep the precipitation in the form of rain for each of the major cities in the Northeast Corridor. Still, the storm could pose problems for those traveling home for the Thanksgiving holiday, as winds on Wednesday are expected to exceed 30 mph, with gusts upwards of 50 mph possible in the afternoon. These potentially dangerous conditions had prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Watch for much of Southern New England at the time of this publication.
Seasonable sunshine in store
A mostly sunny, seasonable weekend is in store after two consecutive days of above-average temperatures. Yesterday’s high temperature at MIT was 73°F, well above the mean value of 61°F normally recorded at nearby Logan Airport. Likewise, southerly winds will keep a warm, moist air mass in place early this morning, allowing temperatures to approach the 70-degree mark for the second day in a row. This time, however, a cold front will pass through the area during the morning hours, resulting in increased windiness, a drop in humidity, and the arrival of cooler air from our north and west. That cooler air mass will continue to move in over the next couple of days, creating the a more seasonable weather pattern, with highs near 60°F and lows around 45°F by the beginning of next week.
Eternal sunshine of the Fall semester
The Institute will once again experience a string of sunny days this week, with light winds and seasonable temperatures. This weather pattern will be quite similar to that of last week, in which a high pressure system was situated over New England for a majority of the week. Last week’s high pressure system resulted in sunshine from Tuesday through Saturday, before a cold front came through on Saturday night. Likewise, that cold front has ushered in a new high pressure system, which is expected to remain in place through the weekend and potentially into next week. The result will be clear skies, with temperatures reaching the upper 60s (°F) in the afternoon, and falling into the low-to-mid 50s (°F) overnight.
High pressure takes hold; sunshine in store
The cold front that brought yesterday’s morning showers has departed to our east, and in its wake has come a strong high pressure system that will take control of our weather for the remainder of the week. This broad anticyclone is poised to remain over the Northeastern United States at least through Friday, resulting in calm, clear weather throughout the region. Sunshine is in store for each of the next few days, and relatively light winds will make the seasonable fall temperatures particularly enjoyable.
Sunshine expected for the start of classes
This weekend’s stretch of humid, stormy weather will give way to a more settled pattern just in time for the start of the fall semester on Wednesday.
Several chances for showers amid sunshine
A series of disturbances will move across southern New England this week, creating an unstable weather pattern for the week of Orientation. Periods of sunshine and warmth will be punctuated by showers and thunderstorms. While no particular day is expected to be rain-out, the chance for occasional showers will persist through Thursday. The most likely times for precipitation will be this morning, Wednesday night, and Thursday afternoon, although there may be a slight chance of showers outside of these times as well.
High pressure creates picture-perfect weekend
The cold front that passed through our region yesterday has ushered in a high pressure system that will dominate our weather for the next few days. With the high pressure in control, we can expect clear skies, sunshine, and calm winds for the entire weekend. The substantial westerly winds that brought temperatures in the upper 80s °F to Boston earlier this week will now be absent, allowing for the development of a sea breeze. With sea surface temperatures near 70°F in Massachusetts Bay, the sea breeze will work to cool off the Institute, keeping afternoon temperatures around or below 80°F each day. This pattern is expected to continue at least until Monday night, when the next frontal system will begin to approach from the west.
Extreme heat subsides
The beginning of this week has seen a welcome respite from the scorching heat that has been recurrent during the first part of this summer season. While there were nine days with high temperatures of 90°F or higher in July, the temperature has struggled to breach 80°F so far this August. In fact, on Tuesday morning, the temperature in Boston dipped below 60°F for the first time since summer began— a streak of 47 days in total.
Wet, Hot Boston Summer
A broad high pressure system located off the East Coast has brought warm, moist conditions to much of the Eastern United States for the past few days. The southwesterly flow associated with this system has created a train of showers and thunderstorms stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to New England. Here at the Institute, this has resulted in a pattern of hot, partly cloudy days punctuated by the occasional passing shower or thunderstorm. Fortunately for those who like this kind of weather, the strong Atlantic high pressure system is expected to persist for the foreseeable future, meaning the pattern of heat and storms will continue at least through the beginning of next week.
A rare June Nor’easter
A Nor’easter, the type of weather system that usually brings snowstorms to New England in the wintertime, will make a rare June appearance today, creating breezy conditions and drenching rain. This is the same storm system that brought severe weather, including a large complex of thunderstorms known as a derecho, to the Midwest on Wednesday evening. Having moved through the Mid-Atlantic states on Thursday, the storm system moved offshore overnight and underwent a process called cyclogenesis, forming a strong low pressure center. That low will move northeastward (hence the name) past the tip of Cape Cod today, bringing the aforementioned rain and wind to our area.
Unusual snowstorm strikes Midwest
A rare May snowstorm swept through the center of the United States on Wednesday and Thursday, with six to twelve inches of snow falling in a band reaching from Kansas through Minnesota. The unseasonable precipitation was the product of an unusually deep upper-level trough combined with a very strong cold front stationed across the continent. The storm broke several records for snowfall and low temperatures in the month of May across the affected states.
Warm and windy weather precedes overnight shower
The same frontal system that spawned several tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma on Wednesday and brought significant flooding to Chicago yesterday will be approaching our area from the west today. As the cold front draws closer, cloud cover will increase, and a tightening pressure gradient will result in strong southerly winds. These winds will advect warm air from the south, possibly causing the temperature to top the 70 degree mark for only the second time in 2013.
Cold and breezy, then back to normal
Yesterday afternoon, a cold front pushed through our area, bringing with it strong winds and rain showers. The rain showers are gone today, but the strong winds will remain, ushering in a cold air mass from the west. Winds will be strong throughout the day, with speeds in the 15-25 mph range gusting upwards of 30 mph at times.
Winter storm precedes arrival of spring
A coastal storm will bring a wintry mix of precipitation to New England today on the last full day of winter. The precipitation will begin as snow in the early morning hours, and continue through sunrise. Snowfall will be moderate to heavy at times, leading to an accumulation of 3 to 6 inches through mid-morning. At that point, the precipitation will change briefly to sleet (falling ice pellets), before changing over to a cold rain for the remainder of the day. While the changeover to rain will likely lessen the hazard associated with this winter storm, the early snowfall could put a damper on the morning commute. At the time of this writing, the National Weather Service had issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Boston/Cambridge area, which was to be in effect until 11:00 a.m. today.
Repetitive weather patterns ahead
In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays a weatherman who is stuck in a loop, seemingly doomed to repeat the same day of his life over and over again.
Blizzard in Great Plains brings Tech great rains
The same winter storm that yesterday brought blizzard conditions to parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas will reach our area tomorrow. However, warm temperatures will likely preclude us from experiencing similar conditions, as most of the precipitation is expected to fall as rain. Still, the weather will be relatively unpleasant during the storm, with gusty winds accompanying rain that will become heavy at times. Furthermore, the track of the storm will cause its effects to linger for the remainder of the week. Fortunately, sunshine should return in time for Saturday and Sunday.
Sun, warmth to decrease depth of snow
This past weekend’s blizzard blanketed our area with over two feet of snow, creating several shoveling and plowing problems for residents and commuters in the Boston area. However, this week’s weather will be somewhat beneficial to those who wish the snow out of their way. Sunshine will return today, and temperatures are expected to be comfortably above the freezing mark during each daytime period through Friday.
Snow comes and goes this week
A series of relatively weak storms will skirt the Boston area this week, creating brief chances for light snowfall at various times. The first of these chances will come this morning, as a low pressure system passing to our south may spread some light flurries through southern New England. Next, another weak low will pass to our north overnight, bringing light snow or rain showers to the area through tomorrow afternoon. Finally, another weak disturbance will bring the chance of light snow or rain showers during the day on Friday.
Snow turns to rain today
A weakly organized winter storm will move through the Northeastern United States today, bringing a mixture of snow and rain to the Boston area. Precipitation is likely to begin as snow in the early morning hours and intensify as the morning progresses.
Warm weather won’t last
Today will be likely be more than a dozen degrees warmer than the normal temperature for December 4th, as warm air continues to be advected from the south ahead of an approaching cold front.
Here comes the sun
While dull, grey skies have been the norm for the last couple of days, sunshine is due to return for the weekend. A broad high pressure system will move very slowly across the Northeast United States over the next few days, bringing with it sunshine, calm winds, and moderate temperatures. In fact, almost the entire region east of the Mississippi River will be enjoying clear skies and relatively warm temperatures at least through Monday.
Winter is coming
The next few days will see a steady decline in temperatures as the month of November gets off to a relatively chilly start. While five of the last seven days of October saw high temperatures warmer than their normal values in Boston, a change in the weather pattern will bring below-normal temperatures for the week ahead.
Rain to give way to warmth
A large low pressure system that has been responsible for high winds across the northern Plains and Midwestern United States earlier this week will bring rainy weather to start the weekend in the Boston area. Showers will begin in the early morning hours today and persist throughout the day, possibly becoming heavy at times as the storm persists into the evening.
Weather will alternate between rain and sun
This week’s weather will alternate between pleasant and rainy as a series of disturbances sweeps across the region. Tuesday will be on the pleasant end of the spectrum, with partial sunshine and light winds accompanying comfortable temperatures in the mid 70s (°F). However, the possibility of rain showers will arrive on Wednesday and Thursday as we experience the remnants of a system that brought heavy rains to the Gulf Coast over the weekend.
Fall arrives tomorrow
The autumnal equinox will occur tomorrow morning at 10:49 a.m., marking the official end of summer and the beginning of fall. Meteorologically, the beginning of fall in New England is usually marked by the end of heat waves and thunderstorms, a slow decline in temperatures, and a general increase in windiness. This weekend’s weather will be seasonable and pleasant, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s and 70s °F.
Weekend weather goes from warm to wet
This weekend’s weather will alternate between sunshine and showers as a set of disturbances creates an unsettled atmospheric pattern. First, southwesterly flow associated with a low pressure system to our northwest will bring warm air to campus, making for a sunny day with temperatures into the 80s °F. However, a weak cold front will also pass through the area today, possibly kicking off a few showers and thunderstorms along the way.
Labor Day to bring lovely weekend weather
After a hot and windy day today, a more settled weather pattern will take hold, bringing pleasant weather for the holiday weekend.
Rainy Wednesday, Picture-Perfect Weekend
The recent pattern of sunshine and seasonably mild weather will be interrupted today by the passage of a cold front through the New England region. This frontal feature will bring with it clouds and light to moderate rainfall for much of the duration of the day today. However, after the rain tapers off this afternoon and evening, the warm weather will pick up right where it left off, as high pressure begins to build in the front’s wake.
Rainfall to help alleviate drought conditions soon
The Boston and Cambridge areas will experience a soaking, day-long rainstorm today as a low pressure system moves in from the west and eventually heads out to sea. While the storm will make for rather cold and dreary conditions for those out and about today, it will also bring some much-needed precipitation to an area that has received an abnormally low amount of rain so far this spring.
Seasonable weather will continue this week
After a historically warm winter, and a spring that featured temperatures upwards of 80°F in its first few days, the Boston area has returned to more seasonable temperatures for the past two weeks. This trend will continue this week, with daily highs and lows expected to be within a few degrees of their normal values.
High pressure system to bring more warm weather
After two days of clouds and chilly temperatures, sunshine and unusually warm weather are expected to make a comeback this weekend in association with a broad high pressure system. Earlier this week, temperatures repeatedly exceeded their climatological normals by upwards of 20°F. In fact, Monday’s high temperature of 71°F at Logan Airport broke the 110-year-old record high of 69°F.
Snow in Store for Saturday
After several weeks of recurring sunny skies and unseasonably warm temperatures, it appears Boston will finally get a taste of typical New England winter this weekend. A low pressure system is forecast to develop tonight off the coast of the Carolinas, moving up the East Coast in the classic pattern of a Nor’easter storm. As the storm intensifies and passes to the southeast of the Massachusetts coast tomorrow, the Boston area is likely to receive at least 2-4 inches of snow accumulation. The snowstorm could be the largest of the season to date this season, with the largest previous accumulation clocking in on January 21st at 2.9 inches. However, as the surface low has yet to develop, there is still considerable uncertainty in the projected track of the storm, and relatively small perturbations in its track could end up resulting in vastly different snow totals here.
Clouds Expected for Groundhog Day
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, the annual holiday on which the most famous rodent resident of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania predicts whether winter will last another six weeks, or yield to an early spring. The groundhog, known as Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his burrow each February 2nd. According to legend, if he sees his shadow upon emerging, he will be frightened into running back underground for six more weeks of hibernation. However, cloudy weather is expected for Punxsutawney tomorrow, meaning the groundhog will stay above ground, thereby predicting an early spring. Of course, the official Groundhog Day prediction has only been correct 39% of the time historically, so Phil may not be the best medium-to-long range forecaster.
Nor’easter to bring wintry mix tomorrow
This year, the Boston area has been experiencing a very anomalously mild winter. The brief snow showers that passed through the area on Monday night constituted our first measurable snowfall since October. This is rather extraordinary, considering that Boston normally records a total of over 10 inches of snow by the end of December. However, the winter is far from over, and the relative lack of snowfall so far does not necessarily mean that the rest of the season will be as mild.
Early-season snow possible on Saturday
While many people will be celebrating Halloween this weekend, Mother Nature may have a trick (or treat) of her own up her sleeve. A storm currently centered over Georgia is forecast to develop and move up the Atlantic coast Saturday, potentially leading to some stormy conditions here in the Boston area on Saturday night. Depending on the exact track the storm takes off the New England coast, rain showers on Saturday evening may turn to snow showers overnight.
Weather
Although the weather has been a bit chilly this week, owing to the beginning of our annual plunge into New England autumn, we will get a reprieve this weekend from the recent crisp fall weather. A high pressure system will strengthen and stay in place over the northeast United States, leading to clear skies and warm temperatures. Today will be among the least windy days of the year, with abundant sunshine raising the temperature to a downright pleasant 64°F. This trend is set to continue through the long weekend, with sunny days and clear nights resulting in summerlike weather. In fact, Boston is actually likely to be warmer than San Diego, CA this weekend! It is sure to be a good opportunity to go outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather before it gets too cold.
In Irene’s Wake, Katia Strengthens
Just days after Hurricane Irene killed at least 54 people and caused widespread flooding in the northeast United States, another tropical cyclone is brewing in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Katia, which last night was downgraded from hurricane status, is expected to reattain that status today, and is forecast to intensify in the next few days as it moves westward toward the North American continent. In fact, Katia could become a major hurricane by early next week. Whether or Katia will threaten the U.S. will depend on the strength of the subtropical ridge several days out, which will dictate whether the storm turns to the north, or continues westward toward land. Still, Katia will not begin to near land for more than a week.
Rainstorms usher in cooler temps
After a passing low pressure system brought thunderstorms and torrential downpours to our area yesterday evening, a cooler air mass is now settling over the region. The cold front with which yesterday’s storms were associated has brought an end to the uncomfortably hot temperatures of the past few days. Instead, a more pleasant weather pattern will be in place for the remainder of the week, with overnight lows in the mid 60s, and afternoon highs in the mid to upper 70s. Skies will be mostly sunny, and an afternoon seabreeze will keep things from getting too hot.
Severe storms sweep southern states
Spring is the peak season for severe weather in the southern United States, and that fact has been quite apparent over the past week. Last Thursday, a deep low pressure system over the southern Great Plains began to spawn severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in that region. As the storm tracked eastward over the next two days, a major tornado outbreak occurred, with at least 138 tornadoes touching down in 15 states. Forty-three people were killed as a result of tornadoes and high winds associated with thunderstorms during this outbreak.
Thought winter was over? April Fools!
Although spring officially started more than 10 days ago, we have not yet quite escaped the grasp of wintry weather. A nor’easter storm coming up the coast will bring a mix of snow and rain as well as blustery winds and chilly temperatures today, making for a rather miserable first day of April. The wintry mixture began yesterday evening, and it will intensify as the center of the storm passes over eastern Massachusetts. The heaviest precipitation will likely fall as rain this morning, but rain and snow could continue to fall all day, potentially putting a damper on the Red Sox’s scheduled opening day.
Time for a thaw
Every year, one of the early signs that spring is on the way is the thawing of the Charles River. That sign has arrived this week as the layer of ice covering the river has melted away from most of the river’s surface. As of Monday evening, the only sections of the river close to MIT with remaining ice cover were near the Harvard Bridge, and the total frozen area appeared to be decreasing throughout the day.
Another week of ups and downs
This week will again be a bit of a weather roller coaster as a few passing weather systems impact New England. After Sunday’s four-inch snow accumulation was washed away by over half an inch of rain on Monday, the remainder of the week will bring a few more weather extremes. After a relatively normal day today, gusty winds from the southwest will bring warm air to the area tomorrow. However, a cold front tomorrow night will then immediately knock temperatures into the mid-teens (°F).
Glimpses of springtime
Perhaps Punxsutawney Phil was right on Groundhog Day when he predicted an early end to winter this year. Since Feb. 2, there has been no accumulating snowfall in Boston, and about 10 inches of existing snow cover has melted away. Additionally, this week will feature some of the highest temperatures of the year so far. Yesterday’s high temperature of 56°F was our highest recorded temperature since Jan. 1, and temperatures could reach the 50s once again by the end of the week.
Snow keeps piling on
As our area recovers from its latest bout of wintry weather, yet another snowstorm is set to impact the region this weekend. Once again, a coastal low pressure system currently located over the southeastern states will make its way northward, bringing with it wintry precipitation for Saturday and Sunday night.
More snow on the way
Another nor’easter is headed toward the Boston area, and it will bring more snowfall to the region tonight and tomorrow morning. However, as of Tuesday there was still a considerable amount of uncertainty as to the severity of the storm’s impact. The storm, which was centered over the Gulf of Mexico yesterday, will be tracking northeastward along the Atlantic coast of the United States throughout the day today. The exact track that the storm takes will dictate the amount of snow that we receive, since sharp precipitation gradients mean that a slight deviation in track direction can translate into a large difference in snowfall totals.
Weekend weather warmer, wetter
A proverbial grab bag of weather will be on display this weekend, with clouds, sunshine, rain, and possibly even snow all on tap. First, clearing skies and calm winds will result in some of the coldest air of the autumn this morning, with temperatures plunging into the mid-teens. However, as a high pressure center drifts offshore, southerly flow will advect warm air to our area, and temperatures will increase steadily throughout the day and overnight, bringing Saturday’s high to the mid-40s.
First flakes possible, but not likely
The season’s first forecasted chance of snow is in the cards for our area this weekend, but chances are low that we will actually see much, if any, of the white stuff. From Saturday night into Sunday morning, precipitation associated with a cut off low pressure system located over northeastern Maine could push south into our area. The result could be a few overnight or early-morning sprinkles or flurries. However, the chance of precipitation will be slight, and a significant snowfall will be highly unlikely.
Cold fronts to bring hints of winter
A pair of cold fronts will cool things down in New England this weekend, bringing our area some of its coldest temperatures of the fall to date.
Calm, then rain on Fri.
A vast high pressure system will take hold of the northeast United States for the first half of this week, resulting in calm, sunny conditions for our area. In fact, there will likely not be a cloud in the sky today, as the high pressure system slowly approaches from our west. However, the same system is currently causing cold air to be advected from our north, meaning temperatures will likely not break 50°F for the next two days.
Halloween gives MIT a chi-i-i-i-illing weekend
Going out for Halloween festivities this weekend? Bring a jacket, as temperatures will dip into the low 40s (°F) each night.
Enjoyable autumn continues
The pleasant fall weather that has been prevalent so far in New England this year will continue this week, with sunshine, light winds, and temperatures around 60°F. With last week’s nor’easter long gone out to sea, and no new storm systems expected to pass through the area until the end of the week, seasonable autumn weather will continue to dominate for the foreseeable near future.
Weather
A low pressure system that was located yesterday in the Carolinas will move up the Atlantic coast today, bringing with it rain, high winds, and plunging temperatures. While temperatures will be in the high 50s (°F) this morning, the passage of the cold front associated with this storm will cause temperatures to drop sharply throughout the day, eventually falling into the lower 40s (°F) by early evening. Combined with rain and gusty winds, deteriorating conditions will make for rather miserable weather this afternoon and evening.
A wet and windy week
A large low pressure system currently situated off the Mid-Atlantic coast will drift slowly northward this week, bringing more cloudy, windy, and rainy conditions to our area. The slow, meandering track of this storm means that these unfavorable conditions will persist for the majority of the week. While rain and drizzle will hang around for most of the day today, Wednesday will likely be the worst day of the week, with winds increasing and rain becoming heavy at times. The system will gradually move out on Thursday, with rain tapering off.
Summertime in autumn
Although today is officially the second day of autumn, it will feel more like summer, with temperatures in the 80s (°F) for the next two days. A warm front associated with a low pressure system currently located west of the Great Lakes will bring warm air from our south today, making it feel more like late August than late September. High temperatures will continue through the end of tomorrow afternoon, after which a cold front will pass through, knocking temperatures back down to more seasonable levels in time for Sunday and the beginning of next week.
Igor, Julia churn in Atlantic
While relatively calm weather continues here in New England, a major hurricane is currently producing very strong winds in the Atlantic Ocean. Located about 700 miles (1,127 km) east of the Leeward Islands, Hurricane Igor was a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 km/h) as of 5 p.m. yesterday. Igor is the ninth named tropical cyclone, the fourth hurricane, and the third major hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year, and while it is too soon to say whether it will directly impact the United States, Igor could reach Bermuda by this weekend.
Cool and clear <br />for the weekend
A high pressure system will again bring sunshine to the Boston area this weekend. High temperatures will remain in the high 60s and low 70s °F, however, with the persistence of clouds early this morning as well as the arrival of cool northern air tomorrow during the day. While these temperatures are a bit cooler than those we have been used to the past few weeks, they are close to normal for this time of year. September often marks the time of year at which temperatures begin to fall with the arrival of autumn: The normal high temperature for September 1 in Boston is 9.2°F higher than the normal high for September 30. Certain events associated with warm weather are still possible, however. For instance, on this date in 1954, Hurricane Edna dumped 5.64 inches of rain in Boston.
Earl headed our way?
While the Atlantic hurricane season started relatively slowly in June and July, tropical cyclones have recently become more frequent, and now a major hurricane has the potential to impact the East Coast of the United States. As of 5 p.m. last night, Hurricane Earl had become a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph (217 km/h), and was situated just north of the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, global and regional computer models bring the track of the storm close to the Massachusetts coastline on Friday afternoon. If the storm does pass close to our area, high winds and heavy rainfall can be expected for the end of the week. However, it is still too soon to know whether the hurricane will affect our area, since track forecasts for the end of the week could be off by as many as several hundred miles.
Macroburst causes wind damage
This past Sunday, a severe thunderstorm blew through the Boston area, leaving scattered branches and toppled trees in its wake. The National Weather Service has confirmed that the wind damage associated with this storm was caused by a macroburst, or a large downdraft of air usually generated by a thunderstorm, which can cause very strong, sustained winds over an area several miles wide. While quite different from tornadoes, macrobursts can cause similar damage in some cases. During the macroburst this past weekend, the Green Building recorded a wind gust of 56 mph.
April showers please bring the weekend
The same low pressure system that caused a deadly tornado outbreak in the southeastern United States over this past weekend is responsible for the presence of rain showers in the Boston area this morning. While this storm is not expected to cause severe weather this far north, it will leave clouds and rain hanging around until a cold front sweeps through the area later today. The frontal passage will lead to windy conditions and plummeting temperatures this evening as it ushers in a mass of cold Canadian air. However, the cold spell will be short-lived, as sunshine will return for the end of the week, returning springlike temperatures in time for the upcoming weekend.
A beautiful weekend
After a week filled with cloudy skies and drenching rain that brought record flooding to much of New England, the Boston area will be treated to a picture-perfect spring weekend. The cutoff low pressure system that brought persistent rainfall earlier this week has moved off the coast, leaving in its wake a high pressure system that will bring sunny skies and warm temperatures to the region.
Coastal storm pounds northeast
A major coastal storm has again hit the Northeast, bringing snow and rain as well as high winds to the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C. to Boston. The same storm that brought rain and snow to the Midwest earlier this week has now moved off of the coast of the Mid-Atlantic. After moving over the ocean, the storm began to rapidly strengthen, resulting in additional precipitation and high winds for much of the Northeast region. As of Thursday evening, the National Weather Service had issued winter storm warnings, high wind warnings, and flood warnings up and down the coast in anticipation of dangerous conditions created by the coastal low.
Weather
Some schools and businesses have already closed in the Mid-Atlantic states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia ahead of a powerful snowstorm that is forecast to strike that region starting this afternoon.
Rise to the Occlusion
Today’s weather will be influenced by the passage of an occluded front, as the center of a low pressure system passes to our north. An occluded front is formed in a mature cyclone (low pressure system) when the cold front associated with the system overtakes the warm front, causing the two fronts to merge. Unlike a cold or warm front, an occluded front usually does not result in a large temperature difference at the surface upon its passage, since there is relatively cold air on either side of it. However, there is often a pocket of warm air pushed aloft in association with the occluded front, which can lead to precipitation along the frontal boundary.
A Break in the Clouds
Today’s weather will offer a reprieve from the cool, dreary weather that MIT has experienced over the past couple days. A change in wind direction means that warmer air from over land will blow in from the West, instead of cool ocean air from the East. As a result, temperatures will reach the high 70s°F, instead of hovering around the 60°F mark as they did on Wednesday and Thursday.
Transition Time
November has arrived, and this week will begin the slow descent from brisk autumn temperatures to those more typically associated with chilly New England winters. The steadily decreasing amount of daylight present during this time of year contributes to a drop of 10°F (5.5°C) in normal temperatures over the course of the month. The winter solstice will be here soon enough, but until then, 4:30 p.m. sunsets will be a regular feature.
A Wet and Windy Weekend
So far this week, we have seen a departure from the sunny, enjoyable autumn weather of early October for cloudy skies and chillier temperatures. This weather has been more reminiscent of late November than mid-October, but those looking for a reprieve will have to endure a few more days of cold. In fact, a bit of storminess will be added to the equation, as two low pressure systems will bring wind and rain to the Boston area over the weekend.
October in New England: A Meteorological Grab Bag
October has begun! Historically this month has been home to a wide variety of weather conditions for the New England region. This time of year has seen weather ranging from snowfall (on October 2, 1899), to 90 degree temperatures (on October 12, 1954), to hurricane landfalls (on October 20, 1770). As we transition from a warmer, calmer summer weather pattern to the cold, stormy winter pattern, it’s possible to experience all kinds of weird phenomena.
Tropical Cyclones Remain Active in Pacific
While New England has recently felt the effects of Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny in the Atlantic, two other tropical cyclones are currently causing trouble in the Pacific Ocean. Recently, Hurricane Jimena has impacted areas of Northwest Mexico, strengthening to the verge of Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. On August 31, Jimena had sustained winds of 150 miles per hour while off of the Mexican West coast. Since then, the hurricane made landfall near Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico as a Category 2 storm. As of Thursday evening, Jimena continues to churn as a Tropical Storm over the Gulf of California. Meanwhile, in the East Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Dujuan formed on September 2nd about 80 km east of the Philippines, and is forecast to attain hurricane strength and impact the Japanese islands by the end of next week.
Weather
June has arrived! As summer nears, so does hurricane season. The National Weather Service has predicted the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June to November, to be near-normal for 2009. According to forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center, there will be a 70 percent likelihood for the Atlantic to experience nine to 14 named storms, with four to seven of these becoming hurricanes.
A Spring Sampler
This weekend’s weather will feature a sampling of typical spring conditions for New England. Sunny skies will be prevalent at times, but will be interspersed with clouds and rain. The average high temperature for this time of the year in Boston is around 65 degrees, and temperatures will range near this figure for most of the weekend. The Boston area will get a taste of partly sunny spring days today and tomorrow, but a thunderstorm or two are likely to make their way across the region this afternoon. Finally, a cold front will reach the area toward the end of the weekend, bringing with cooler temperatures, cloudy skies, and a even a few showers. Hence, our campus will experience warm, sunny weather, thunder and lightning, and a few spring showers over the course of a single weekend.
Stormy Down South, Dry Up North
Severe weather has been wreaking havoc in the southeastern United States over the past few days. Over the weekend, severe thunderstorms caused widespread power outages, toppled trees, and spawned tornadoes as they carved a path through parts of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and the Carolinas. Widespread damage and flooding was reported as were several deaths and injuries. The region was then battered by another storm system on Monday, with strong winds, heavy rain, and hail reported across Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida. More severe weather was expected at the time of this writing Monday night, with severe thunderstorm and tornado watches posted by the National Weather Service across the Southeast.
Not Quite New Orleans Weather
Today is the day of the famous annual Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. Also known as Fat Tuesday, the carnival features a day of parades and celebrations on the day before the Christian holiday Ash Wednesday. While New Orleans temperatures are expected to be balmy today, reaching close to 70°F (21°C), here in the Boston area temperatures will hover around the freezing mark this afternoon.
Chilly Ring Premiere, Weekend Warm-Up
Sophomores waiting in line for the Class of 2011 Ring Premiere tonight will have to endure cold temperatures as the chilly weather the region has experienced this week continues. While continued high pressure will present clear, sunny skies, the high temperature this afternoon will reach only the mid 20s˚F and proceed to fall to around 16˚F overnight. However, a relative improvement in conditions can be expected over the weekend, as sunny skies will persist with temperatures rising steadily through Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the low to mid 40s˚F can be expected for Saturday, while Sunday could see highs nearing 50˚F. Don’t get too comfortable, however, as temperatures will drop below freezing once again when school resumes on Monday.
Chilly Weekend to Remain Snow-Free
Although the winter solstice is not until December 21st, the Boston area has been experiencing some rather wintry temperatures as of late. Though temperatures can get much lower in New England winters, the recent spell of near-freezing temperatures has been somewhat alarming in contrast to the mild, 60-degree weather we enjoyed earlier this month. While average highs for this time of year range around 50°F, the recent cold temperatures appear poised to stay in place over the weekend.
A Calmer Halloween
This year, the New England region will enjoy relatively mild weather on Halloween, with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 50s.
Omar Churns in Atlantic as Boston Cools Down
Although fall is in full swing, the annual hurricane season stretches through the month of October, and the Atlantic has been home to some recent cyclone activity in the form of Hurricane Omar.
Fall Has Fallen
The Autumn season has officially begun as of 11:44 a.m. EDT yesterday morning, and today is its first full day. We can expect gradually falling temperatures through the coming months, as New England transitions from its warm, pleasant summer to another cold, snowy winter. Although you may need to stop wearing flip-flops and start wearing jackets, you will still get to enjoy some sunshine; in fact, October has the greatest average number of clear days of any month in Boston. However, while it may still seem nice outside now, it won’t be long until winter weather arrives, as the average date of the first trace of snow is November 4th.