Weather for New England and the Northeast

**Area Forecast Discussion**
**National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA**
**305 AM EDT Saturday June 6 2026**

**What Has Changed**

No significant forecast changes.

**Key Messages**

* Another hot, summerlike day with increasing humidity. Thunderstorms arrive late this afternoon into tonight, a few of which could become strong to severe. Sunday turns cooler with scattered showers, but not a washout.

* Seasonable temperatures Monday, followed by another stretch of summerlike heat and building humidity. No notable storms next week, though a front may bring a period of showers and thunderstorms mid to late week.

**Discussion**

**Key Message 1, Another hot, summerlike day with increasing humidity. Thunderstorms arrive late this afternoon into tonight, a few of which could become strong to severe. Sunday turns cooler with scattered showers, but not a washout.**

There were no notable changes to the near and short term forecast.

A deeply mixed atmosphere, referred to by meteorologists as a well mixed boundary layer extending up to around 5,000 to 6,500 feet above the ground, will allow temperatures to climb well into the upper 80s to lower 90s today. That is significantly warmer than normal for early June, when average high temperatures are typically in the lower 70s.

Humidity will also increase as dewpoints rise into the upper 50s and lower 60s. While it will feel somewhat muggy, it should not feel oppressively humid.

For those heading to the beaches, there is a moderate risk of rip currents today along east facing beaches of Cape Cod, ocean facing beaches of Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, and south facing beaches from Point Judith Rhode Island to Westport Massachusetts. Always check with lifeguards regarding local beach conditions.

Confidence remains high that most areas stay dry through the daylight hours. A brief afternoon shower cannot be ruled out north and west of the Interstate 495 corridor as a weak disturbance ahead of the cold front approaches.

As temperatures and humidity increase, the atmosphere will become moderately unstable. Meteorologists measure this instability using CAPE, or Convective Available Potential Energy, which indicates how favorable the atmosphere is for thunderstorm development. Values are expected to range from 500 to 1,000 joules per kilogram, with some locations possibly reaching 1,500 joules per kilogram.

Thunderstorms are expected to begin developing around 5 PM to 6 PM EDT. Storms may continue after sunset as the approaching cold front provides additional lift. Other ingredients supporting stronger storms include favorable temperature changes with height, known as lapse rates, and strengthening wind shear, which refers to changes in wind speed and direction with height.

Another measure, DCAPE, which estimates the potential for strong downdrafts and damaging wind gusts, reaches around 800 joules per kilogram. Wind shear through the lowest 6 kilometers of the atmosphere is expected to increase to around 35 to 45 mph.

Because of this setup, a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms remains in place across much of interior southern New England. The main threats will be damaging straight line winds and locally heavy downpours. Atmospheric moisture levels, measured by precipitable water, increase to around 1.8 inches, supporting the potential for brief heavy rainfall.

On Sunday morning, sinking air behind the cold front, known as subsidence, will bring somewhat drier conditions, although humidity levels will remain elevated. A mix of clouds and sunshine is expected.

During the afternoon, an upper level disturbance and associated energy will move across southern New England. Recent forecast guidance suggests the surface low pressure system will track farther north into the Gulf of Maine. As a result, rainfall should be more scattered and showery rather than widespread.

The greatest concentration of showers, isolated thunderstorms, and perhaps some small hail will likely occur across eastern portions of southern New England. The overall severe weather threat appears limited. Cooler air will gradually arrive, but temperatures may still reach the upper 70s to lower 80s before northeast winds become established later in the day.

**Key Message 2, Seasonable temperatures Monday, followed by another stretch of summerlike heat and building humidity. No notable storms next week, though a front may bring a period of showers and thunderstorms mid to late week.**

Sundays upper level trough exits east of New England by early Monday morning while a strengthening ridge of high pressure aloft expands toward the eastern United States.

The departing trough is expected to evolve into a cutoff low over the Canadian Maritimes, helping slow the eastward movement of the ridge. This pattern supports another extended period of summerlike warmth across southern New England.

Monday will likely be the coolest day of next week as cooler air filters southward into the region. Areas along the eastern coast, including Cape Cod, the Islands, Boston, and the eastern coastal plain, should remain mainly in the 70s. Farther inland, especially across the Connecticut River Valley, temperatures should reach the lower to middle 80s.

Through much of next week, an unusually strong ridge of high pressure extending north toward Hudson Bay will favor mainly dry weather and increasing heat.

High temperatures are expected to reach the middle 80s to near 90 degrees on Tuesday. From Wednesday through Friday, many locations should see highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.

The first half of the week will feature relatively comfortable humidity levels, with dewpoints mainly in the 50s. By late week, dewpoints climb into the 60s, creating a more humid and summerlike feel.

Beyond the current forecast period, there are signals that the heat could continue into next weekend. The Climate Prediction Center outlook indicates a Slight Risk, meaning a 20 to 40 percent probability, for extreme heat across portions of the Northeast.

As for precipitation, there is little indication of significant rainfall through much of next week. However, a cold front moving through late in the week may bring a period of showers and thunderstorms as heat and humidity continue to build.