Forecast: Temps Turn Milder With A Steady Evening Rain

Our day is starting dry and on the chilly side, but will end with a windswept rain and near record warmth.

You’ve likely heard about the big snowstorm that hit the center of the country, and the severe weather across the deep south yesterday. This volatile weather is all associated with a large storm system moving northward into southern Canada late today and overnight. When storms take this track, their circulation pulls warm and humid air northward along the Eastern Seaboard and any associated precipitation falls as rain.

This milder than average pattern has really lasted since early December with only small breaks of cold weather and minor amounts of snow. I don’t see any change in this through the weekend, but early next week there might be a transition to a pattern with more cold and possible snow.

Rainfall from the system tonight could amount to nearly an inch. This is actually great news as much of it will continue to help charge the groundwater still at lower levels than average from the drought last year.

The rain begins this afternoon, but doesn’t become heavy until around the evening commute. Rain and commutes don’t mix well, so if the heavy rain does reach the Boston area by 4 or 5 p.m you can expect a slow ride home.

Tomorrow brings a return to clearing skies and mild air. It will be colder Friday and during the weekend, but the things will remain dry and temperatures will still be above the 30-year average.

You can follow my weather updates on Twitter at @growingwisdom.

Today: Cloudy and dry this morning. Rain developing later this afternoon. Chilly through midday then very mild. Temperatures rising to near 60 by 11 p.m.

Tonight: Rain, windy and mild. Lows 44-50.

Thursday: Cloudy, then partly sunny. Highs 48-54.

Friday: Colder with sunshine and some clouds. Highs in the 30s to near 40.

Saturday: Sunshine and clouds. Highs 39-45.

Sunday: Mostly sunny highs in the low to mid 40s