Key Takeaways
- Thursday morning will bring widespread scattered showers across Massachusetts and Southern New England, tapering off by mid‑ to late‑morning.
- The heaviest rainfall will remain over Maine and parts of New Hampshire, with totals of 1–3 inches, while Boston and most of Southern New England expect less than 0.5 inch.
- A secondary low forming Thursday evening may generate a few isolated showers that could drift back into Southern New England later in the day, so an umbrella is advisable for any outdoor plans.
- Temperatures will stay in the 50 °F range along the coast and reach the low‑ to mid‑60s °F farther inland, with little change from Wednesday.
- The rain is beneficial for drought‑stricken areas, especially Maine, and is unlikely to cause flash flooding because the required intensity (2.5 inches in six hours) is far above what is forecast.
Thursday morning will see a band of scattered showers moving across Massachusetts and the rest of Southern New England as the work‑day commute gets underway. The precipitation is expected to begin tapering off by mid‑ to late‑morning, while the bulk of the day’s rain shifts northward, falling mainly over Maine. Even though the main shield of rain will have moved away, the rotating system will leave a chance for a few isolated “backside” showers to drift back into the region during the afternoon and evening. Consequently, Boston could still experience a spot sprinkle or shower later in the day, so carrying an umbrella for any outdoor activity is a prudent precaution. By Thursday afternoon and evening, however, Southern New England should generally dry out, with only isolated, light precipitation possible.
A secondary low pressure system is forecast to develop by Thursday evening. This feature will reinforce a few more potent showers across Maine as the system’s circulation draws moist air inland. Meanwhile, Boston and most of Southern New England will mostly dry out, although the rotating flow could still pull a few scattered showers back over the area later in the day. Rainfall totals are expected to stay well under a half‑inch for Boston, the rest of Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. In contrast, portions of New Hampshire and the majority of Maine will see the heaviest precipitation, with accumulations ranging from 1 to 3 inches. These higher amounts are still modest enough that flash flooding is not a concern; the region would need to receive roughly 2.5 inches of rain within a six‑hour window to trigger flood concerns, a threshold far above what is anticipated.
The rainfall arrives at a welcome time for the Northeast, which has been experiencing varying degrees of drought since mid‑2024. Much of Maine remains under some level of drought, while Massachusetts has shown noticeable improvement over the past several months. The precipitation will help alleviate dry soils without the risk of flooding, providing relief to agriculture, groundwater reserves, and ecosystems that have been stressed by the prolonged dry spell.
Temperature-wise, there will be little variation from Wednesday’s readings. Coastal areas will stay in the low‑ to mid‑50s °F, while inland locations west of I‑495 will likely see highs staying below 60 °F due to persistent cloud cover and lingering showers. In Maine, the combination of heavier rainfall and cooler air funneling in from eastern Canada will keep temperatures the coolest in the region, with highs hovering in the upper 40s to low 50s °F. Across the broader New England area, highs on Thursday are expected to range from the upper 40s up to around 60 °F.
More localized details break down as follows:
- Greater Boston: Cloudy with morning showers; a few scattered sprinkles possible in the afternoon. Highs near the low 50s °F along the coast and mid‑50s in the city.
- Central/Western Massachusetts: Cloudy with morning showers and a few scattered showers in the afternoon. Highs in the low 50s °F in the Berkshires, rising to the mid‑ to upper 50s east of the Berkshires, with a brief chance of sun later in the evening.
- Southeastern Massachusetts: Cloudy with morning showers; an afternoon sprinkle may linger. Highs in the low to mid‑50s °F.
- Cape Cod and the Islands: Scattered showers throughout the day, highs reaching the low‑ to mid‑50s °F.
- Rhode Island: Morning showers, becoming more isolated in the afternoon. Highs to the mid‑ and upper 50s °F.
- New Hampshire: Morning showers transitioning to steady rain, with scattered showers lingering into the afternoon. Highs in the upper 40s to low 50s °F.
- Vermont: Morning showers, with some sun breaking through later. Highs near the low 50s °F.
- Maine: Steady rain for much of the day, tapering off late evening. Highs in the upper 40s to low 50s °F, making it the coolest part of New England.
- Connecticut: Morning showers, mostly cloudy afternoon; a possible spot sprinkle later. Highs in the mid‑ to upper 50s °F.
Overall, Thursday promises a damp start for Southern New England that will gradually clear, while the northern reaches of the region receive a more substantial, drought‑easing soak. Temperatures remain mild and consistent with the recent trend, and the rain’s timing and intensity should avoid any flash‑flood hazards. For those who want a daily rundown of the forecast, the Boston Globe offers a subscription that delivers the weather outlook straight to your inbox each weekday morning.
For further questions or comments, you can contact Ken Mahan at [email protected] or follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.