Cooler Today But Dry

The heat will go away for the weekend and we get a break from the wet weather today.  It will return Saturday.  A cold front has backed across the region.  It will return north for Western MA so temperatures there will reach the 80's this afternoon.  In Central MA we will see temperatures in the 70's while portions of Eastern MA won't get out of the 60's.  Most importantly communities shooting off fireworks tonight should be just fine.

General Overview
Here is the surface map as of 5 AM.  The front has sagged south of New England

WPC Surface Analysis 5 AM 

Some morning fog and drizzle will burn off by 9 AM in the interior while it will may hold on a bit longer near the coast.  A mix of sun and clouds is on tap for this afternoon.  Here are the forecast high temperatures (you can click any image to enlarge)

NWS NDFD 2 m Max temps Friday (Image Weatherbell)

As for 9 PM here is the simulated radar

06z NAM Hires simulated radar 9 PM Friday (image College of Dupage WxCenter)

The model is picking up the possibility of low clouds but there is no severe weather threat like last week.  The precipitation stays west.  This rain will slowly head east overnight Friday into Saturday.  As a result Saturday looks fairly terrible.

WPC Surface Forecast Saturday 8 PM

Temperatures will struggle to get to 70

NWS NDFD 2 m Max Temps Saturday (image Weatherbell)

Now switching gears for a moment.  A nice thunderstorms ripped through the Blackstone Valley yesterday with quarter sized hail reported at Lasell Field and on Olivia Drive in Northbridge.  A tree fell on wires in Upton on Elm Street.   The rain came down in buckets which is needed.  Here is the 3 day precipitation total which doesn't even include yesterday (will update at 10 am)

8 am July 4 to 8 am July 7 (image Weatherbell)

Here is the northeast drought monitor released Tuesday

US Drought Monitor Northeast 7-5-16

Zooming into Massachusetts we see a band of severe drought.  The rain yesterday fell just south of the severe drought.  Although it is abnormally dry in the Blackstone Valley we are a bit fortunate compared to our neighbors to the north.

US Drought Monitor Massachusetts 7-5-16

Although no one wants rain on a Saturday we really need it.  The long range shows a return of the summer warmth so enjoy the short break from heat and humidity.  Have a great weekend.

-Zack Green