New year's forecast: Unseasonable warmth in Boston before rain and cooler air descend

As celebrants prepare to ring in the new year, the weather forecast in New England has a bit of everything on offer.

From mild temperatures to variable chances of rain, there are quite a few details Massachusetts residents should keep in mind over the holiday before colder conditions settle in toward the end of the week.

If you're headed out and about in and around Boston, here's what you can expect over the next several days.

The weather will be quite comfortable on Tuesday, especially for late December. Temperatures will climb into the upper 40s to low-50s under partly sunny skies, making it feel more like late fall than winter.

This unseasonable warmth, combined with light winds, promises to create a pleasant setting for daytime errands or early evening celebrations. Clouds will increase ahead of an area of low pressure approaching from the Ohio Valley.

As the evening progresses, clouds will thicken and increase the chances of rain showers in several Massachusetts towns and cities.

While the early part of the night looks dry, by the time the clock strikes midnight, steadier rains in Boston are likely to hit revelers out and about to greet 2025. It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella along, especially if you plan to be outside as the ball drops.

Temperatures will hover in the lower to mid-40s overnight, so while it won’t feel too chilly, the dampness may add a raw edge to the air.

The first hours of 2025 will come with widespread rain across southern New England.

The rain will taper off fairly quickly though from west to east, with just a lingering shower or two falling after that. High temperatures will reach the upper 40s, which is around 10 degrees above average for this time of year.

If you’re planning a New Year’s Day walk or outdoor activities, aim for the afternoon hours, when rain chances diminish, and a few breaks of sunshine might emerge.

After the New Year’s Day rain clears out, a colder and drier pattern will settle in for the rest of the week.

By Thursday and Friday, Boston’s daytime highs will return to the upper 30s to low 40s, with nighttime lows dipping into the 20s. Gusty northwest winds on Thursday will make it feel even chillier, so be sure to bundle up.

The first weekend of 2025 looks quiet but seasonably cold — in the low to mid 30s. If you love brisk air, Saturday and Sunday offer the perfect opportunity to recover from the holiday hustle and enjoy the outdoors.