Boston is in for a soggy, gray Thursday — rain showers arrive by midday with downpours possible by mid-afternoon, and highs only reach near 59°F, so grab a packable rain jacket before you walk out the door.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service says eastern Massachusetts should stay mostly dry through late morning, but that window closes quickly. By early-to-mid afternoon ET, widespread rain moves in as subtropical moisture surges northward ahead of a strong upper-level low positioned near Toronto. Forecasters expect some brief heavy downpours from mid-afternoon onward — not a flash flood situation (the Weather Prediction Center puts those odds below 5%), but enough to make rush hour miserable. Expect a quarter to a half inch of rain today, with another half to three quarters of an inch falling overnight. Temperatures actually fall through the day, starting near 59°F but slipping toward 53°F by evening, with a southeast wind at 7 to 12 mph making it feel raw along the Waterfront and the Esplanade.
Best Window To Be Outside
Before noon is your best bet. Walk the dog around the Public Garden, grab coffee in the South End, or run errands — just be wrapped up by 1 PM ET. After that, the rain takes over for the rest of the day and all night (100% chance of showers overnight, low around 50°F).
What To Wear Or Bring
Layers are essential — that afternoon drop from 59°F to 53°F sneaks up on you. A packable rain jacket earns its keep today. Skip the sandals entirely.
Red Sox vs. Phillies at Fenway Tonight
The Boston Red Sox host the Philadelphia Phillies tonight at Fenway Park, and rain is nearly certain by first pitch. Dress in layers and bring that rain jacket. A Boston Red Sox jersey worn over a long-sleeve base layer will keep you comfortable through the late innings, and a Boston Red Sox fitted cap will handle the drizzle better than you’d think. If you still need seats, Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub.
Events Tonight: Indoor Options
The Head And The Heart bring their 15th Anniversary Tour to the Boch Center Wang Theatre tonight — a perfect indoor escape from the downpours. Get tickets on SeatGeek and make a rainy evening out of it.
Rainy Day Dinner
A chilly, wet Thursday calls for something slow-cooked. Load up a programmable slow cooker in the morning with chili or beef stew and come home to a hot meal. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is equally great for a thick pot of soup on the stovetop. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Friday stays gray and cool — high near 52°F with a 70% chance of more showers and a NE wind at 6 to 9 mph. Friday night, the rain finally tapers as a northwest wind moves in. The weekend looks warmer and mostly dry, which is great news for the New England Revolution vs. Minnesota United FC at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, May 16. Keep an eye on the Boston weather forecast as conditions improve through the weekend.
