Boston nears 39-year heat record as New England dries out
A stalled front threatens to deliver up to two inches of rain by Saturday, offering relief to a region plagued by wildfires and drought.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Boston reached 77 degrees on Wednesday, falling one degree short of the 78-degree high set in 1987. This peak temperature occurred during a period of sustained warmth that has broken daily records across Southern New England. The heat is now approaching a historical benchmark for the month.
Milton recorded a high of 76 degrees, while Springfield hit 77 degrees on November 4. Concord, New Hampshire, reached 79 degrees. These figures represent dramatic departures from typical November norms in the region. The warm air mass has persisted throughout the week, driving temperatures well above seasonal averages in multiple states.
Boston typically experiences only one day at 70 degrees or warmer in November. The current streak threatens to tie the record for the most consecutive 70-degree days in the month, which stands at four. That record was last set in 2020 and again in 2022. A 70-degree high on Friday would establish a new monthly record for the city.
The region is also grappling with extreme dryness. The Wild River Fire in the White Mountains near the Maine border has burned approximately 980 acres. As of Wednesday afternoon, crews had contained only 11 percent of that fire. The ground remains covered in dried-out leaves, creating ideal conditions for ignition during this bone-dry stretch of the year.
Thursday will bring continued warmth, with highs reaching the low 70s in the Boston area. Western Massachusetts and Vermont will see temperatures in the 60s. Dew points near 60 degrees will make the air feel muggy. Clouds will increase early in the day, accompanied by patchy fog in Southern New England. Scattered showers are expected to push into Western Massachusetts in the morning.
A cold front approaching from the southwest will stall along the coast, allowing a low-pressure system to move into the region. This interaction will produce clusters of rain along the coast on Friday. The rainfall is expected to linger through Saturday morning. The stalled front sits near Southeastern Massachusetts and southern Rhode Island, areas that may see up to two inches of rain by Saturday.
Friday represents the most active weather day for the region. There is a low risk of isolated flash flooding from Boston to the Cape, extending west through Rhode Island and much of Connecticut. Water ponding on roadways is likely in the risk area. Drivers are advised to exercise caution as the rain intensifies. This system provides needed moisture to a parched landscape.
