Temperatures continue to run below average to start September, with Boston and Southern New England about a degree below the norm. Northern New England is seeing about seasonal temperatures, with a few spots a nudge warmer.
The long-term forecast shows a warm-up on the horizon that may ultimately lead to September finishing warmer than average, but until then, Boston is set to see another cool day on Wednesday.
Quick look Wednesday
A cool start to the morning is forecast across Boston and Southern New England under partly to mostly cloudy skies with a spot shower or drizzle possible. Commuting temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 50s.
As the morning progresses, clouds will continue to increase and hold temperatures to the upper 60s, with the chance of showers from a system passing closely offshore.
The chances of rain will increase in the afternoon, but will be hit or miss, and very light. There could be a single cell that may produce a local burst of steady rain over Connecticut, but most of southern New England will see about a tenth of an inch. Showers could continue across Boston and areas south into the evening, with temperatures cooling to the mid-50s overnight.
The setup — cool, turning cloudy with showers
An offshore storm will make a close pass of New England on Wednesday, setting up the chance for light, scattered showers to push into southeast New England and extend as far north as Greater Boston and along the Mass. Pike. Any showers should be very light.
Otherwise, the morning will see increasing clouds across most of New England with high pressure in eastern Canada keeping the northernmost tier of New England under mostly sunny skies.
Clouds will stick around for most of the afternoon and hold temperatures to the upper 60s for much of southern New England, while folks up north will crack 70.
With the low-pressure system passing nearby and high pressure to the north of New England, there will be an onshore breeze of about 10 to 15 miles per hour across southeastern New England, including Boston.
Wednesday’s breakdown
Greater Boston: Patchy fog in the morning with increasing clouds. Scattered showers linger for much of the day, but the day will be spent more dry than rainy. Highs to the upper 60s. Breeze to 10 to 15 mph.
Southeastern Mass.: Turning mostly cloudy pretty early in the morning and staying that way. Scattered showers throughout the day. Highs to the mid and upper 60s with a breeze.
Central/Western Mass.: Partly cloudy skies turning to mostly cloudy skies in the morning, then staying mostly cloudy for the rest of the day. A spot shower or two is possible. Highs in the mid-60s in the Berkshires, upper 60s to low 70s elsewhere.
Cape and Islands: Seeing mostly cloudy to overcast skies and some morning patchy fog. Scattered showers. Breeze to 15 mph. Highs to the mid and upper 60s.
Rhode Island: Seeing mostly cloudy skies with the chance for scattered light showers. Highs to the upper 60s. Breeze of 10 to 15 miles per hour.
New Hampshire: Seeing increasing clouds throughout the day across the southern part of the state. Up north stays mostly sunny. A chance of a sprinkle in the south, especially in the afternoon. Highs to the upper 60s and low 70s.
Vermont/Maine: Same as New Hampshire, the southern tiers see increasing clouds after morning sunshine. A spot shower is possible in the southern areas, staying mostly sunny up north. Highs to the low and mid-70s.
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Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.