Wakefield, Mass. – A hazy sunrise is giving way to a warm, smoky morning across eastern Massachusetts, but the weather is far from settled. Smoke lingering in the atmosphere will gradually share the sky with building thunderstorm clouds, setting the stage for changing conditions through the afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, an Air Quality Alert remains in effect through midnight tonight for much of the state because of elevated fine particulate pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults and anyone with asthma or heart disease, should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
The National Weather Service expects a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. High temperatures will climb to around 83 degrees, while southwest winds increase to 12 to 17 mph, with gusts reaching 31 mph. Although widespread severe weather is not anticipated, a few stronger storms could produce frequent lightning, brief heavy rain and gusty winds. An isolated tornado cannot be completely ruled out in stronger thunderstorms, but the overall risk remains very low.
Drivers along Interstate 95, Interstate 93, Route 128 and Interstate 90 should be prepared for rapidly changing visibility as smoke combines with localized downpours later today. Wet pavement and sudden reductions in visibility could slow afternoon travel. If thunder develops, move indoors and avoid open fields and waterways until storms pass.
Conditions improve considerably on Sunday, with sunny skies and a high near 78 degrees. Dry weather continues into Monday before another unsettled pattern develops Tuesday, bringing a renewed chance of showers and thunderstorms. Additional rounds of rain remain possible through the middle of next week.
Looking farther ahead, climate outlooks continue to favor above-normal temperatures across New England later next week, keeping a warm midsummer pattern in place despite periodic storm chances.
Planning to travel across eastern Massachusetts today? Let us know what you’re seeing on the roads or in your neighborhood.
Five-Day Forecast for Wakefield, Massachusetts
- Sunday: Sunny. High 78°F, Low 58°F.
- Monday: Sunny. High 80°F, Low 63°F.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny with a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High 83°F, Low 68°F.
- Wednesday: Showers likely with thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m. 70% chance. High 86°F, Low 67°F.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny with a 30% chance of showers. High 85°F, Low 66°F.
