After brief round of showers, beautiful weekend in store
This week, Bostonians have been reminded of how nice it is to be above average in something that isn’t snowfall! Since Sunday, we’ve enjoyed daily high temperatures 5–10°F above average and abundant sunshine, with more on the way this 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.
Rainy weekend in store
It will be mild and rainy throughout the day tomorrow, with up to an inch of precipitation expected to fall. The rain is likely to start a couple of hours after midnight tonight, and continue into the early morning on Sunday. Colder temperatures will return on Sunday and continue into the early part of next week, with a chance of rain or wet snow on Monday and Tuesday.
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.
Chilly weather after a soggy start to the week
The sun stayed hidden all day yesterday as Cambridge was soaked by nearly continuous rain associated with a low pressure system tracking up the coast. As of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, Boston Logan Airport had already received 0.82 inches of rain, with even more rain occurring throughout the overnight hours as the low pressure moved out of Southern New England.
Shorts (right)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 48 people were killed and dozens more were wounded Sunday evening after a suicide bomber set off his explosives at a border post in eastern Pakistan, police officials said.
A chilly start to November
We had a cold and soggy weekend thanks to the close passage of coastal low pressure system on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday morning, the low temperature at Boston Logan Airport dropped to 34°F (1°C) — this is about 8°F (4.5°C) below the average low temperature for this time of year! Additionally, if you looked out your window Sunday during the late morning/early afternoon, you would have seen the first snowflakes of the season. All told, Boston received just under an inch of rain (with a few snowflakes mixed in) from this system.
Unidentified drones are spotted above French nuclear plants
PARIS — Security officials are investigating a mysterious wave of drone flights that have buzzed illegally over more than a dozen nuclear plants across France, raising security concerns around the country’s primary energy source.
Iraqis prepare attack against Islamic State with US help
WASHINGTON — Iraqi security forces, backed by U.S.-led air power and hundreds of advisers, are planning to mount a major spring offensive against Islamic State fighters who have poured into the country from Syria, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials. Such a counterattack is likely to face an array of logistical and political challenges.
US oil prices fall below $80 a barrel
HOUSTON — The benchmark American oil price fell below the symbolic $80-a-barrel threshold on Monday, swooning to two-year lows, after Saudi Arabia aimed to shore up its dwindling exports to the United States by cutting its selling price for the American market.
Investigators focus on tail booms in crash of space plane
The Virgin Galactic space plane that broke apart over the Mojave Desert on Friday shifted early into a high-drag configuration that is designed to slow it down, federal accident investigators have said.
Shorts (left)
The leader of the World Health Organization criticized the drug industry Monday, saying that the drive for profit was one reason no cure had yet been found for Ebola.
China approves security law emphasizing counterespionage
BEIJING — President Xi Jinping of China has signed a new Counterespionage Law, replacing the 1993 National Security Law with an updated set of rules that will more closely target foreign spies and Chinese individuals and organizations who collaborate with them.
Data-driven campaigns lack messages
WASHINGTON — Modern political campaigns home in on their key voters with drone-like precision, down to the smallest niche — like Prius-driving single women in Northern Virginia who care about energy issues. They compile hundreds of pieces of data on individuals, from party registration to pet ownership to favorite TV shows. And they can reach people through Facebook, Pandora, Twitter, YouTube or cable television.
Off-shore storm to make weekend weather unpleasant
A cold and rainy weekend is in store for the Boston/Cambridge area as a low pressure system rides Northward just off the coast. On Saturday and Sunday, temperatures will likely top out in the mid 40s (°F) and will likely drop below freezing on Sunday night. There is a very good chance of rain on Saturday, with up to half an inch possible, depending on the path the off-shore storm takes.
Sweden recognizes Palestinian state
JERUSALEM — The Swedish government on Thursday officially recognized the state of Palestine, as the new prime minister, Stefan Lofven, ignored Israeli protests and followed through on a pledge he made at his inauguration this month.
Shorts (left)
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Demonstrators surged through the dusty streets of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, on Thursday, overrunning state broadcasters, setting fire to the Parliament building and torching the homes of relatives of President Blaise Compaoré in a swelling of protest against his plans to extend his 27 years in office.
Ukraine and Russia reach deal on natural gas supplies
BRUSSELS — Russian and Ukrainian officials reached an agreement Thursday to resume Russian deliveries of natural gas to prevent shortages during the winter months, which require large amounts of energy for heating.
GDP grows at 3.5 percent rate, lifting hopes
Unlike the seventh game of the World Series, the debate over the economy’s strength sometimes seems like a playoff competition between skeptics and believers. But on Thursday, the boosters won at least a temporary victory with a government report that estimated the nation’s economic output rose at a healthy 3.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter.
North Korea said to impose Ebola quarantine
SEOUL, South Korea — For U.S. health officials fretting over states going their own way on Ebola quarantines, consider this: North Korea, which in the best of times allows a limited number of people in or out, is rattled enough about the virus that it reportedly will quarantine anyone coming into the country from anywhere.