Boston is starting Sunday with one of the best May days in years — sunny skies and a high near 85°F are on the way, so get outside and soak it in before a significant heat wave arrives early this week.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service is forecasting full sunshine across Greater Boston, with temperatures peaking near 85°F by early afternoon. A west wind of 6 to 14 mph will feel refreshing, but watch for gusts up to 26 mph this afternoon — hold onto your hat along the Esplanade or out at Castle Island. Tree pollen counts run high on warm, windy days like today, so allergy sufferers may want to take their medicine before heading out. Overnight, a north wind brings a backdoor front through, cooling things to around 56°F under partly cloudy skies.
Best Time To Be Outside
The whole day is fair game. Morning through midday is perfect for a run along the Charles, a round at Franklin Park Golf Course, or exploring the Arnold Arboretum in what should be peak bloom. Tonight, Bilmuri plays MGM Music Hall at Fenway for the Kinda Hard Tour — it’ll be a warm, breezy evening, so dress light. Zarna Garg’s “Million Dollar Excuses” comedy show is also tonight at The Wilbur if that’s more your speed.
Fire and Wind Risk
Today’s combination of dry air, heat, and westerly gusts up to 26 mph creates elevated fire danger conditions — a real concern in Boston’s densely packed neighborhoods. Skip the backyard fire pit today and take a few minutes to check your home’s safety gear. A smoke detector combo pack should be tested and installed on every floor. Keep a fire blanket kitchen near the stove or grill. Residents in older Charlestown triple-deckers, South End rowhouses, or Roxbury multi-families should have a fire escape ladder 2 story accessible. An ember resistant vent screen over exposed attic vents is worth the install before the windy afternoons continue this week.
Grill It Up Tonight
This is textbook cookout weather. Fire up the grill for burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob — a classic New England backyard Sunday. An instant-read meat thermometer is your best friend for nailing doneness without cutting into the meat. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything delivered to your door in time for dinner.
Next Few Days
Monday drops to a pleasant 74°F with mostly sunny skies — enjoy it while it lasts. Then Tuesday surges to near 92°F, and the National Weather Service warns near-record highs are possible away from the coast. Isolated strong thunderstorms could develop in the interior Tuesday afternoon, with a better chance of scattered strong to severe storms Wednesday. The south coast and Cape Cod may catch some sea-breeze relief, but Back Bay and Fenway will feel legitimately hot. Cooler, more seasonable temperatures return late in the week.
On the concert calendar: Charlie Puth: Whatever’s Clever! World Tour plays MGM Music Hall at Fenway on May 22, and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band bring the Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour to TD Garden on May 24 — grab a Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band t-shirt and get tickets on SeatGeek before they’re gone. Also worth a look before the heat hits: outdoor gear deals include UPF 50+ Fishing Shirts for just $6.50 — solid sun protection for a hot week on the water or the trail.
Enjoy Sunday, Boston — it’s a gem.
