Boston’s Weather Jackpot: Sunny Skies, Cooler Air Arrives
This Week’s Weather: Sunshine Returns, Then Rain Chances Rise
TL;DR: A cold front pushed out the sticky humidity Monday, giving us a gorgeous stretch of sunny, 70s-to-low-80s weather through Wednesday. Enjoy it—rain chances ramp up again late week.
What Happened Sunday & What’s Changing Monday
- Sunday: A batch of much-needed rain moved through while the air was very humid.
- Monday Morning: A cold front (the leading edge of cooler, drier air) slides offshore.
- Result: The muggy air mass is replaced by a drier, seasonable one. Think: comfortable, not sticky.
Important Point
A cold front isn’t just about temperature—it’s a boundary where drier air pushes out moist air. That’s why it suddenly feels less “jungle-like” outside.
Why It Feels Better: The “Dew Point” Drop
You’ll hear meteorologists talk about dew points a lot. Here’s the ELI5 version:
- Dew point = the temperature at which water vapor in the air condenses into dew (or fog).
- High dew point (60s–70s): Lots of moisture in the air → feels sticky, oppressive.
- Low dew point (50s): Much less moisture → feels crisp, comfortable.
What’s happening: Dew points fall from the uncomfortable 60s/70s down into the 50s once the front clears. That’s why Monday through Wednesday will feel so much nicer—even if the thermometer reads the same.
Your Day-by-Day Forecast (Monday–Wednesday)
| Day | Sky | High Temp | Humidity | Night Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Mostly Sunny | 75–80°F | Low (50s dew pts) | 50s–60s |
| Tuesday | Sunny | 75–80°F | Low | 50s–60s |
| Wednesday | Sunny | 75–80°F | Low | 50s–60s |
Perfect for: First week of school, outdoor sports, open windows at night, giving the A/C a break.
Regional Breakdown: What to Expect Where You Live
Greater Boston
- Mon–Tue: Sunny skies, highs 75–83°F. Overnight lows 60s (city), upper 50s (suburbs).
Central & Western Mass.
- Mon–Tue: Plenty of sun, mid–upper 70s. Morning lows in the 50s.
Southeastern Mass.
- Mon: Quick clearing, dew points drop. Highs 75–80°F.
- Tue: Upper 50s/low 60s start, more sun.
Cape Cod & Islands
- Mon: Patchy AM fog → mostly sunny, high near 80°F.
- Tue: Lows 57–62°F, highs upper 70s, sunny.
Rhode Island
- Mon: Developing sunshine, high near 80°F.
- Tue: Start near 60°F, highs upper 70s, sunny.
New Hampshire
- Mon: Partly/mostly sunny, brief shower chance, high near 80°F.
- Mon night: 50s. Tue: Sunny, high near 80°F.
Looking Ahead: Rain Returns Late Week
- Timing: Late this week into early weekend.
- Driver: An evolving upper-level system (a storm system high in the atmosphere) will pull humidity back up.
- Rain potential: Could be decent—important because this has been a very dry month overall (parts of New England are in drought).
- Uncertainty: Exact amounts depend on how the system forms and tracks. Stay tuned!
Important Point
We need this rain. The region has been abnormally dry, so a soaking system would be welcome—even if it interrupts weekend plans.
Bonus: Daylight Is Shrinking Fast!
- Sunrises now after 6:00 AM.
- Sunsets before 7:30 PM (starting Tuesday).
- Current daylight: ~13 hours 30 minutes.
- Fastest loss of the year peaks in about a month, then slows down.
Fun Fact: We lose about 2–3 minutes of daylight per day right now—the steepest drop of the whole year.
Summary
- Monday–Wednesday: Fantastic weather. Sunny, low humidity, highs 75–80°F. Great for back-to-school week.
- Dew points drop to the 50s → air feels crisp, not sticky.
- Late week/weekend: Next rain chance arrives. Could be meaningful rainfall for a parched region.
- Daylight is vanishing quickly—enjoy those early sunsets while they last.
FAQ
1. What exactly is a “dew point” and why should I care?
The dew point tells you how much moisture is in the air. Lower 50s = comfortable. 60s = sticky. 70s = oppressive. It’s a better “feels like” metric than humidity percentage.
2. Will it be cold at night?
Not cold—cool and refreshing. Lows in the 50s (suburbs) to low 60s (city). Perfect sleeping weather with windows open.
3. When exactly will the rain arrive late week?
Still uncertain. Best guidance: Thursday–Saturday window. Check updates mid-week for timing and amounts.
4. Is the drought serious?
Yes. August has been very dry across New England. Any widespread, soaking rain late week would be highly beneficial.
5. How can I get this forecast delivered daily?
Sign up for the Boston Globe’s free daily weather newsletter—it lands in your inbox each weekday morning. (Link in original article.)
Stay dry (or enjoy the sun), and have a great week!