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Forecast: Cold Temperatures Return; Sleet Possible

I hope you got at least a few moments to be outside yesterday. It’s not too often we start December with temperatures in the mid 60s. It’s back to reality today with highs only in the mid-30s. This afternoon, cities and towns north and west of Route 495 will likely struggle to reach freezing temperatures. The ground will once again feel frozen and it will look very wintry by the end of the day.

As milder air moves north, clouds are going to increase and winds will turn onshore. This east wind will ensure areas along the coast do not have any frozen precipitation tonight and early Wednesday. Far inland, where the cold air is more entrenched, a period of snow, sleet and even freezing rain will create several hours of slick driving later this evening and perhaps continuing into the very early pre-dawn hours of Wednesday. There could be an inch or two of snow in these areas with just a coating as you move closer to Route 495.

This is a nuisance event, but even a small amount of snow and ice can cause problems with driving. By Wednesday morning most areas will see readings above freezing and the threat of any frozen precipitation will decrease rapidly.

Dry and seasonable conditions return for Thursday. It might turn unsettled later in the weekend, but I don’t see any major snow in the forecast for now.


Tuesday: Increasing clouds with a high near 35.

Tuesday night: Rain, or a mix of rain, snow and sleet, becoming all rain after midnight. Temperatures rising overnight to near 40 by dawn.

Wednesday: Showers likely early. Highs of 55 to 60 over southeastern Massachusetts but only in the upper 30s in the Worcester hills.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 40.

Friday: Partly sunny with highs in the mid 30s.

Saturday: Lots of clouds — perhaps some rain. Highs in the upper 30s to mid-40s.

You can follow David’s weather updates on Twitter at @growingwisdom.

Headshot of David Epstein

David Epstein Meteorologist
David Epstein was WBUR's meteorologist.

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