BOSTON, Mass. – Massachusetts residents may get their first taste of winter next week as forecasters predict snow flurries, gusty winds, and the coldest air of the season so far to arrive by Tuesday. The National Weather Service says temperatures will plunge across the state, accompanied by wind chills in the upper 20s and the possibility of light snow in higher elevations and coastal areas.
Coldest Air of the Season Arriving Tuesday
After a weekend marked by scattered rain showers, a surge of Arctic air is expected to move into the region early next week. Forecasters say Tuesday will bring a sharp temperature drop, with highs only reaching the upper 30s in northern Massachusetts and the low to mid-40s elsewhere.
Wind gusts could reach 35 to 40 mph, creating feels-like temperatures in the upper 20s and prompting a wind chill advisory in some areas.
“This will be the coldest air we’ve seen so far this season,” said meteorologists with the National Weather Service Boston Office. “Residents should prepare for windy, chilly conditions and the possibility of brief snow flurries.”
Snow and Flurries Possible in Multiple Areas
Forecasters say lake-effect and ocean-effect systems could produce light rain and snow showers across various parts of the state.
In western Massachusetts, especially the Berkshires, lake-effect bands may bring rain sprinkles mixed with snow flurries, though accumulations are expected to remain minimal.
Meanwhile, along the Cape and Islands, ocean-effect showers could turn briefly to wet snow as colder air interacts with warmer coastal waters. A dusting of snow is possible in these regions by early Tuesday morning.
“We could see flakes flying over both the Berkshires and Cape Cod,” one local forecaster noted. “It’s a sign that winter weather patterns are beginning to take hold.”
Midweek Outlook
Conditions are expected to stabilize by Wednesday, but temperatures will stay below seasonal averages, remaining in the 40s and low 50s statewide. The strong winds should ease by midweek, offering a bit of relief from the early winter chill.
However, forecasters caution that more rain and snow flurries could return later in the week, as another weak system approaches from the Great Lakes.
Preparing for the Cold Snap
Residents are urged to take precautions as temperatures dip:
- Bundle up and limit time outdoors during peak wind hours.
- Secure outdoor decorations or loose items ahead of Monday night’s winds.
- Check heating systems before the coldest air arrives.
- Protect sensitive plants and cover garden beds where possible.
Although this upcoming event is not expected to produce significant snow, it marks the first major transition to winter-like conditions across Massachusetts.
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