Forecast: Following Extreme Warmth, Today Is Mild With Rain Showers

Just before 3 p.m yesterday, Boston’s Logan Airport reached 77 degrees, breaking the old record for the day of 72 degrees which was set only 16 years ago.

Worcester reached 74 degrees, and they tied their record set in the same year.

Yesterday was a day of extreme March warmth. It was the earliest on record it’s ever been this warm and records go back to the late 1800s. Portland, Maine shattered their record reaching 66 degrees. This was 11 degrees above the old record reached just four years ago.

In Hartford, Connecticut it reached 80 degrees, the earliest such occurrence by 11 days. The temperatures we saw yesterday were extreme for March. I like nice weather in early spring, but that was too warm.

While our weather won’t be as warm over the next five days, I don’t see any cold weather in sight.

The warmest it’s ever been in March was in 1998, also an El Nino year. In 1998, the final day of March brought near 90-degree temperatures to a wide area of southern New England.

A front of cooler air and rain will be pressing toward us today. While we could see some showers this morning, the steadier rain showers will hold off until this afternoon and overnight.

If it's raining during the evening commute, travel could be a bit slowed down. However, I am not expecting heavy rainfall today.

Skies will clear tomorrow, and this sets us up for a wonderful weekend. Look for lots of sunshine and temperatures well into the 50s to near 60 degrees.

You can follow my weather updates on Twitter at @growingwisdom

Today: Lots of clouds, especially this afternoon with showers developing. Highs 63-70. Cooler at the coast.

Tonight: Some showers and turning cooler. Lows in the 40s.

Friday: Early clouds then mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Saturday: Partly to mostly sunny and mild. Highs 54-58.

Sunday: Sun and clouds, still mild. Highs in the 50s to near 60.

Monday: Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs 49-54.