Boston, MA – Dry air and strong winds are setting the stage for dangerous fire weather across Massachusetts Friday, with Boston and surrounding areas facing elevated risk until late evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, relative humidity values between 20% and 30%, combined with southwest winds gusting up to 30 mph, are creating conditions ripe for the rapid spread of fire. The fire weather warning extends across major urban and rural areas including Suffolk, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties, as well as key transportation corridors like I-95.
Officials urge residents to avoid any open burning or outdoor ignition sources. Machinery, discarded cigarettes, and matches could ignite dry grasses and leaf litter. “Any fire that starts will have the potential to spread quickly,” fire weather officials warned. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island fire agencies collaborated on this advisory.
Looking ahead, Friday will remain mostly sunny with a high near 58°F. Rain showers return Friday night with a low of 38°F. Saturday brings widespread showers, mainly before 9 a.m., with patchy fog and a cooler high of 42°F.
Extended 5-Day Forecast for Boston:
- Sunday: Cloudy, chance of showers, high 39°F
- Monday: Warmer, showers likely, high 66°F
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 51°F
- Wednesday: Showers again, high 56°F
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high 56°F
