A late season nor’easter is on track to drench Massachusetts this week and bring up to 50 mph winds, following days of unseasonably cold temperatures.
The storm is forecast to begin late Wednesday, with the worst of the weather hitting Thursday before tapering off Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters are predicting “a cold, windswept, heavy rain” to soak the state and winds between 40-50 mph.
But before the nor’easter hits, Massachusetts residents may get a small taste of what the storm will bring on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, temperatures were in the mid-40s to around 50 degrees across the majority of the state, with occasional 25 mph wind gusts. Wind chills were in the low to mid 30s in some parts of the state.
The overcast skies and chilly temperatures seen after sunrise are expected to last throughout the day in Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Temperatures may only reach highs in the mid-50s, though the wind should die down.
While most of the day will be dry — and there’s a chance for a little sunshine in the morning — those areas could see some patchy rain or drizzles by the afternoon, forecasters said.
However, Western Massachusetts should see some breaks of sun and much more mild temperatures. Highs could reach the low 60s throughout the day.
Overnight, northeast winds are projected to start picking up and drizzles could be possible in some areas of the state. Temperatures are expected to be in the 40s range statewide.
The overcast skies will continue to hang over Wednesday in the morning, though the daytime is expected to be mostly dry until “widespread rainfall” starts late Wednesday night, forecasters said.
Rainfall totals could reach up to two inches from the incoming nor’easter as rain continues to fall throughout the day Thursday and into Friday morning, forecasters said.
Peak wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph, and “with leaves on the trees, there may be a little more impact than a similar storm during the winter,” forecasters said.
Temperatures will be in the mid-40s to low 50s by Thursday afternoon, and forecasters are eyeing the chance for coastal flooding from the storm. Some areas of the Worcester Hills could also be impacted by flooding, forecasters said.
Additionally, forecasters are looking at the potential for storm surges up to more than two feet on the Eastern Massachusetts coastline and on Nantucket from the storm.
The nor’easter is projected to begin easing up by 8 a.m. on Friday, though there’s a chance for some rain showers to linger through the day. The below-normal temperatures should continue, though they’re expected to rise by Sunday and Monday.
