Sunny, breezy, and warm conditions made Sunday one of the nicer days of the summer. Decades ago, before our current warmer climate had taken hold, we saw more of these types of days with breaks in the humidity during the middle of the summer. Back in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, it was much more common to get these breaks.
The lack of humidity will continue into Monday with slightly warmer conditions — in the low to mid-80s in the afternoon, along with lots of sunshine. The air quality will also be great because the smoke plume from the wildfires in Canada won’t be bothering us here in New England.
Humidity worsens Tuesday, rain moves in
Of course, it is still July and dew points average in the 60s, so it’s back to the humidity for Tuesday. Although it may start somewhat with comfortable weather first thing in the morning, it’s definitely going to turn more humid during the day as dew points rise on a southwest flow of air.
With the moistening air comes the chance for showers Tuesday into Wednesday. Because dew points will be rising and the amount of available moisture increasing, some of these showers could contain heavier downpours.
The models, which help guide meteorologists in predicting exactly how much rain we’re going to see, still give a couple of different solutions. We’re likely not going to miss the rain altogether, and right now most of the models keep the heaviest rain south of the Mass Pike as tropical moisture is pulled northward. Just how much heavy rain we get is still a bit of a question.
Rain timeline
The most likely time for the rain will be Tuesday afternoon through the night. There may be another round of showers on Wednesday if that area to the south moves far enough north.
Eventually, the showers will continue to push eastward, and the second half of the week looks drier and warmer, with a return to lower humidity.
For boaters and swimmers, there will be some dangerous surg and rip current action on Tuesday, so be aware of that hazard.
Monday-Tuesday breakdown
Greater Boston: Lots of sunshine on Monday with temperatures in the lower 80s. Look for readings in the 50s to lower 60s on Monday night, before recovering to the lower 80s, with more humidity and clouds on Tuesday. There may be some showers late in the day.
Central/Western Mass.: Beautiful sunshine with temperatures around 80 for Monday. Tuesday brings clouds and showers late in the day, along with more humidity and readings in the lower 80s
Southeastern Mass.: Look for plenty of sunshine, dry conditions, and readings in the lower 80s on Monday. Clouds will increase on Tuesday with perhaps some showers by nightfall. Highs will be in the low 80s.
Cape Cod and the islands: Lots of sunshine with temperatures near 80, along with low humidity on Monday. Clouds increase on Tuesday, perhaps some late-day showers or even a thunderstorm, highs again near 80.
Rhode Island: Look for plenty of sunshine to start the work week with highs around 80; clouds increase with perhaps some late-day showers on Tuesday, with more humidity and highs near 80 again.
New Hampshire: Sunshine is evident start to finish for our Monday, with highs near 80. Clouds increase Tuesday, with highs near 80 and some late-day showers.
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