Mild Sunny Afternoon Gives Way to Evening Storms Across New England

Hey, you’ve probably noticed the sky looking unusually clear today – a few high‑altitude clouds drifting lazily, but otherwise a big, bright blue canvas. After a surprisingly cool, almost‑fall morning – think 40‑plus degrees in the suburbs and a record‑low 46°F in Norwood – the mercury has crept up into the 70s across Boston and even nudged the 80s further north.

The humidity is still holding back, so the air feels fresh rather than muggy. A gentle west‑southwest breeze is keeping the south‑coast and islands comfortably in the 70s, while inland areas warm a touch more. Tonight’s low will sit around 60°F, giving a nice, mild night without any rain in sight… at least for now.

But don’t stash the umbrella just yet. The Weather Channel’s Storm Team 5 has issued an alert for Tuesday evening, flagging the chance of scattered thunderstorms that could bring downpours and localized flooding. Those storms are expected to start in the south and push eastward, with the heaviest rain hanging over southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut after midnight.

Adding a bit of drama to the mix, a tropical depression brewing over the Gulf is expected to spin up into Tropical Storm Bertha by this afternoon. Coastal surge advisories are already out from the Florida Panhandle through Louisiana, and the system is forecast to track westward toward Texas. While Bertha won’t directly affect New England, the tropical moisture it carries is being drawn northward, feeding the front that will lace our region with rain later tonight and tomorrow.

Looking ahead to the next 48 hours, expect dew points to creep upward dramatically – we’re talking about tropical‑level moisture, with dew points nearing 70°F by tomorrow night. That moisture will help fuel the thunderstorms, making them a bit more intense and increasing the flooding risk, especially in areas with poor drainage.

In short: enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, keep an eye on the sky after sunset, and maybe keep that umbrella handy just in case. The weekend looks to settle down again, but the next couple of days will be a bit of a rollercoaster.