Forecast: Rainy Weekend Ahead With Mild Temperatures

Be sure to carry an umbrella with you over the next few days, as showers will punctuate the weekend. A strong southerly flow of air will bring mild temperatures to the region this afternoon. There will be a lot of clouds today and just a break or two of sunshine. Late in the afternoon or evening some showers could cross the area.

Areas over northern Worcester County might see a shower this morning, but these should not make it too far east, and Boston will have to wait until this afternoon and evening to see rain.

As the showers end they leave us with a breezy and very mild temperatures overnight. It’s been a long time since we stayed over 40 degrees all night, but we will tonight.

Saturday morning is dry, and there may be a few peaks of sunshine. However, the afternoon and evening turn wet as rain overspreads the area.

The rain continues Saturday night and Sunday for a wet and windy period. The rain will likely amount to between 2 and 3 inches for most of us, and some areas could see up to 4 inches in heavier pockets.

While March has been cold, it’s also been dry so the rivers and streams can handle a lot of water before flooding. There will be street flooding Saturday night and Sunday so if you are traveling expect to contend with big puddles, especially on parts of Storrow Drive in Boston and Route 9, west of the city.

Drier weather returns late Monday and Tuesday, with seasonable temperatures for the mid-week period.

The upcoming rain is due to a low pressure area moving up the coastline, and while this isn’t going to bring snow, it’s still a nor’easter. There will be heavy precipitation, wind and even some coastal flooding. The storm slowly moves into the Canadian Maritimes Sunday night and Monday.

Friday: Showers late in the afternoon after a mostly cloudy and blustery day. Highs between 52-56 degrees.

Friday night: A few showers early otherwise mild and breezy overnight. Lows in the lower 40s.

Saturday: Cloudy in the morning with rain developing in the afternoon and evening. Rain will be steadiest by dark. Highs in the upper 40s to low 50s.

Saturday night: Rain could be heavy at times. Blustery with lows between 38-44 degrees.

Sunday: Rain and raw. Highs in the lower 40s.

Sunday night: A few periods of showers overnight with lows in the 30s.

Monday: Rain or mix of rain, snow or sleet ending and then clearing, but chilly with highs in the 40s.

Tuesday: Partly sunny with a high near 50 degrees.

Follow updates from David Epstein on Twitter @growingwisdom.