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Forecast: Steady Rainfall This Afternoon Before Cold Couple Of Days

Fleeting cold is the best way to describe the weather coming up over the next several days. The drop in temperatures should last just over 48 hours.

The jet stream across this part of the world is just not establishing itself in a position to promote winter weather here in the eastern half of the United States. Even when the jet stream dips south and does allow more seasonable air into the region, it quickly retreats back to the north.

While much of this is likely highly correlated with the strong El Nino, the very tightly wound up polar vortex across the top of the planet is also not allowing cold air to penetrate very far to the south.  This will change in January, but it’s still questionable whether the eastern part of the U.S., and specifically southern New England, experiences more than a few days of cold as opposed to the weeks of it we had last season.

Today another warm weather system will bring us rain. Most of the steadier showers arrive later today so the evening commute will be the primary one affected by wet roads.

By Friday morning, the rain will have all but ended, and skies will clear. Then the two days of cold weather arrive over the weekend with temperatures feeling like one would expect during the final shopping weekend before Christmas. There won’t be any winter weather to deal with this weekend, so you will be able to drive to the malls and other favorite shops on dry roads.

Another one or two wet systems — though nothing white — bring more rain to the region before next weekend and along with them comes more mild air. The latest outlook for the final week of the year shows a much warmer scenario than you would expect continuing. It remains to be seen if it lasts into the new year.

Temperature estimates for Dec. 24 through Dec. 30. (Courtesy of NOAA)
Temperature estimates for Dec. 24 through Dec. 30. (Courtesy of NOAA)

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


Today: Showers developing especially after noon. Highs in the mid to upper 40s.

Tonight: Periods of rain, ending late at night. Lows remaining in the 40s.

Friday: Lots of clouds, perhaps an afternoon shower. Highs in the lower 50s.

Saturday: Partly sunny and colder. Highs near 40 with a stray flurry or afternoon sprinkle.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high 40-45.

Monday: A lot of clouds and milder. Highs near 50.

Headshot of David Epstein

David Epstein Meteorologist
David Epstein was WBUR's meteorologist.

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