Sunny Today But Wet Pattern to Continue
Sunny Today But Wet Pattern to Continue
After yesterday’s rain storm, Boston is now over three inches above the normal liquid precipitation (3.3”) for all of February. Last year, there were only 2.2” for the whole month and only four cloudy days. This year, there have already been seven cloudy days. So what’s causing this unpleasant stretch of weather?
It’s not the destination that’s important; it’s the journey that gets you there. For storms, the same philosophy applies. The amount of precipitation that falls over Boston is highly correlated to the storm track. Imagine two scenarios. If storms travel from Louisiana to Massachusetts, then there is virtually an “infinite” amount of moisture from the nearby Gulf of Mexico. However, when storms come from the Michigan direction, the moisture supply is orders of magnitude less. The current jet stream, which determines the storm track, over the continental U.S. starts in Montana, dips toward the Gulf States, and then goes through upstate New York. With the shape of the jet stream not budging, the trend of this wet pattern will remain with considerable precipitating storms coming every two to three days and mostly sunny to mostly cloudy skies in between.
Extended Forecast
Tonight: Clear. Lows in the mid 20s°F (-4°C). West winds 15–20 mph.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s°F (1°C).
Thursday: Sunny and cold. Highs in the upper 20s°F (-2°C).
Friday: Mostly cloudy. Snow likely. Highs in the mid 30s°F (1°C).