A powerful storm system will impact Boston, Cape Cod, and much of southern New England late tonight into Friday, bringing strong to potentially damaging winds, periods of heavy rain, and unseasonably mild temperatures before a sharp change to colder conditions.
The National Weather Service in Boston has issued a High Wind Warning for the Cape and Islands from 7 AM to 3 PM Friday, where southerly wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph are expected. For the rest of southern New England, including the Boston metro area, a Wind Advisory is in effect, with gusts ranging from 40 to 55 mph possible from early Friday morning through Friday evening. Sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph may make travel difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Late tonight into early Friday afternoon, locally heavy rainfall will spread across southern New England from west to east. While widespread flooding is not expected, ponding on roadways and poor drainage flooding may occur during the morning commute. The combination of wet ground and strong winds increases the risk for downed trees, power outages, and isolated structural damage, particularly across exposed coastal areas.
Temperatures will remain mild for December ahead of the cold front, but conditions will begin to change late Friday afternoon as rain tapers off. Behind the front, much colder air surges into the region Friday night, accompanied by another round of strong west winds, adding to ongoing impacts.
Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, prepare for possible power outages, and use caution while traveling. Boaters should remain in port due to hazardous marine conditions. Stay informed by monitoring updated forecasts and local alerts as this high-impact weather event unfolds.
