Boston is warm and unsettled today, with a high near 80°F and a chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 11 AM before the real story arrives tomorrow. If you’ve got outdoor plans, the National Weather Service says get them done early — the atmosphere turns much wetter tonight into Wednesday.
Today’s Setup
South winds at 3 to 13 mph keep this morning muggy and partly sunny across the Seaport, Back Bay, and out toward Cambridge, with showers and storms most likely after 11 AM (30% chance). Tonight stays mild with a low around 66°F and just a slight chance of a late storm after 2 AM as southeast winds pick up to 7-13 mph.
Rain, Wind, Or Flood Risk
Here’s the headline from NWS Boston/Norton forecasters: a deep, slow-moving upper-level low is digging in over New York and getting “stuck” thanks to a blocking pattern, dragging heavy rain into southern New England late tonight through Wednesday evening. Wednesday itself looks rough — 100% chance of showers and thunderstorms, a high only near 72°F, east winds 10-15 mph gusting to 25 mph, and half to three-quarters of an inch of rain likely, with more possible Wednesday night. The Weather Prediction Center notes precipitable water values near climatological maximums and warns of training rainfall and flash flood potential across the region, with the highest moderate risk centered over the tri-state area to our southwest — but eastern New England, including Greater Boston, isn’t out of the woods, especially where a Flood Watch is posted further inland. Watch for ponding on Storrow Drive and other low-lying spots Wednesday.
What To Wear Or Bring
A packable rain jacket and a compact travel umbrella are smart grab-and-go items for the next 24-36 hours, and if you’re headed anywhere on foot through puddled sidewalks or the Emerald Necklace trails, waterproof hiking boots will keep you a lot more comfortable than sneakers.
Tonight & This Weekend Around Town
Tame Impala plays TD Garden tonight (July 28) — an indoor show, so the weather’s a non-issue once you’re inside, just budget extra time for a soggy commute. Looking ahead, Tim McGraw brings his Pawn Shop Guitar Tour to Fenway Park on July 30, right in the middle of this wet stretch — check out our Tim McGraw tour coverage for details, grab a Tim McGraw t-shirt, and get tickets on SeatGeek before showtime. Phish follows at Fenway on July 31; see our Phish tour breakdown and find tickets on StubHub if you’re going.
If your lawn needs a trim, do it today before the rain locks in — the EGO Power+ battery deal is worth a look if your cordless mower needs fresh power.
Dinner Tonight
With gray skies and rain moving in, this is a night for comfort food — a big pot of chili or beef stew in the slow cooker or Dutch oven fits perfectly. A programmable slow cooker or an enameled cast iron Dutch oven makes it easy. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Expect periodic rain chances Thursday, possibly lingering into Friday, as that stubborn low finally starts to budge. NWS forecasters say the weekend trend points toward building high pressure and a drier pattern — welcome news after a soggy midweek stretch. Check our outdoor gear deals before you head back out.
