As you rush out the door to grab those final items on your Thanksgiving shopping lists, the weather throughout New England may appear relatively tame. But that tranquil picture won’t last.
A storm system will sweep over the region Thanksgiving Day, bringing a mix of rain and wind. Some areas even face a chance of snowfall.
Bostonians need only brace for an all-rain event, but New Englanders in higher elevations in central and western Massachusetts will see some snowflakes.
Bottom line: You’ll want to bundle up and put on the wet weather gear if you’re headed out for turkey trots or classic morning football games.
Here’s what else you need to know about the holiday forecast:
Thanksgiving
The storm will drizzle or drop light rain showers over New England early Thursday, between 2 and 4 a.m. The rains will ramp up from there, making the morning commute a real challenge. (Here are other travel details you may want to keep in mind.)
By the afternoon, most towns and cities in Massachusetts can expect steady and heavy rainfall, as well as gusty winds. Communities along the coast and Cape Cod will see the strongest of the blustery conditions. The northeasterly gusts there will range between 30-40 mph during the storm’s peak, so exercise caution while driving, especially over bridges and along open roads.
The storm, which created some travel headaches in the Rockies and brought wind and snow toward the Tennessee River Valley, will create a classic tale of two weather systems for New Englanders.
As southern New Englanders are set to see mostly rain, including downpours in the late morning to early afternoon, heavy snow is likely to accumulate for communities in north and central New England — especially those that sit in higher elevations.
The Berkshires, Green Mountains and parts of the White Mountains may be blanketed in 8-12 inches or more. Brief periods of snow are also possible for parts of coastal Maine and northern communities with lower elevations.
As the evening wears on, the rain will gradually taper off from west to east. The steadiest rains will cease in Boston by around 5 or 6 p.m. Total rain accumulation in the city should be around 0.75 inches.
Winds will shift to the north and northwest by evening, helping to dry roads and reduce the risk of a flash freeze in areas that see a lot of rain. By evening, road conditions across southern New England should be vastly improved since the morning.
Meanwhile, travelers making their way across northern New England should be prepared for lingering snow into the evening and early overnight. Road conditions on highways like I-89 and I-93 can vary dramatically due to elevation changes.
Friday
In the early hours, Black Friday shoppers should beware of possible icy patches well inland, as skies clear but temperatures drop.
Overall, Friday will feature breezy and cool conditions, but remain a relatively quiet weather day.
Weekend Outlook
The holiday weekend features colder and drier weather.
Temperatures will struggle to reach the low 40s, and overnight lows will dip into the teens and 20s.
This article was originally published on November 26, 2024.