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CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Map shows "heat dome" that could raise temperatures to 100 degrees in Boston
Thursday's hot weather may have just been the appetizer. A "heat dome" developing on the East Coast could send temperatures to 100 degrees in Boston next week. After toiling our way through a difficult spring full of rainy Saturdays, summer has literally and figuratively arrived. The summer solstice officially occurs at 10:42 p.m. on Friday. Our longest days of the year and highest sun angles are here. What is a heat dome? Right on cue, a giant heat dome will be forming over most of the eastern half of the United States. The term "heat dome" is just another way of saying a large area of high pressure. This promotes sinking, warming air over a large area and will lead to numerous record high temperatures being set as well as the first heatwave for many in the Northeast. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston It's been about a year since we had a heat wave in the Boston area. In fact, we had two in 2024 - one in June and one in July, both of which lasted the minimum requirement of three days. Heat wave possible in Boston The fringe days are always the hardest to predict. Some towns could hit 90 on Sunday while others will fall short. Wednesday currently looks to top out in the mid 80s, but we can't rule out that forecast changing. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston Monday and Tuesday look like "locks" for temperatures to soar well into the 90s. In fact, we will likely challenge some record high temperatures on those two days in the city of Boston and throughout New England. Heat could set records in Massachusetts We are forecasting the record of 95 degrees on Tuesday (set in 2013) to be shattered. If we were to hit the century mark in Boston, it would only be the 28th time in recorded history and the first occurrence since 2022. It would also equal the all-time June record, set last in 2021. As of this writing, it's possible that many of our suburbs will nick 100 next Tuesday afternoon. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston We will see some "cooler" weather later next week, likely along with a chance for thunderstorms. If your occupation requires you to be outdoors and in the sunshine for long stretches of time, we urge you to be cautious next week. When the heat indices reach near or over 100 degrees, heat stroke is a real concern. Please be sure to check on those without air conditioning or ways to cool down. And of course, don't forget the pets - they get hot too.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Will it rain again in Boston this weekend? A look at New England's unlucky weather streak.
Boston and New England have had some serious Saturday weather issues this spring, with plenty of rain falling. That might not change this weekend, but it isn't all bad news. In New England, we are trained to endure the long winter and, many times, a rough early spring with the promise of a (sunny) light at the end of the tunnel. We feel as though we "pay our dues" and once Memorial Day hits, it is time to collect. Weekend rain in New England Would you believe it if you heard that this wet Saturday spring pattern has actually been going on for three years now? If you look at meteorological spring (March-May) in Boston: In 2023 it rained on 7 of 13 Saturdays (and that was followed by rain on all 4 Saturdays in June) In 2024 it rained on 7 of 13 Saturdays In 2025 it rained on 8 of 14 Saturdays (and now 1 of 1 in June) CBS Boston Doing a little math, that equates to rain on 55% of spring Saturdays over the last three years. This year may actually be the worst of the bunch. Some rain has fallen in parts of southern New England every Saturday going back to March 22. That is 12 in a row. CBS Boston Will it rain this weekend? We have had some all-day deluges and some grey/showery days, but very few start to finish pleasant Saturdays. This leads us to the BIG question. Can we break the streak this Saturday? The short answer is no, but there are some reasons to be optimistic. The best chance of rain this Saturday is early in the day. We expect widespread showers south of the Mass Pike in the morning and a few, scattered showers to the north. CBS Boston By midday and afternoon, the rain is mostly done. There could be just a few isolated pockets of drizzle but otherwise, we dry out. If you are looking for beach weather, you're going to have to wait at least one more weekend. Temperatures both days will be stuck in the 60s, some 10-15 degrees below the average. Skies will also be mainly cloudy with some sunny breaks here and there. Heading to the Cape? More of the same. Lots of clouds, some breaks and chilly temperatures. The best chance of rain showers comes on Saturday morning. CBS Boston Red Sox and Father's Day forecast The Red Sox will be home this weekend for a big series with the Yankees. They should get all the games in, but it will feel more like April or May rather than mid-June. Last but certainly not least, Sunday is Father's Day. Any and all outdoor plans should be good to go. Whether you're golfing or grilling, it should stay dry all day. Skies will vary from partly to mostly cloudy and temperatures will generally top out in the upper 60s, albeit a tad cooler at the coastline.
CBS News
03-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Will Canadian wildfire smoke impact air quality in Massachusetts? Here's the latest forecast.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is headed toward Massachusetts, and prompting concerns about air quality in Boston. There are numerous wildfires raging in northwestern Canada and also over parts of the southeastern United States. Over the next few days, upper level winds will direct both smoke plumes toward New England. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston Haze from these wildfires is appearing on visible satellite imagery over parts of the Upper Midwest, New York and Pennsylvania. Over the next 24-48 hours, winds will funnel that smoke into the Boston area, creating a very hazy, brownish sky at times on Wednesday and Thursday. It appears the thickest haze will be across western and northern New England; however, just about all of us will notice some fading of the sunshine. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston Boston air quality We do not anticipate air quality levels getting too bad here in southern New England given that the majority of the smoke will be aloft or above ground level. Currently, air quality in most of the Upper Midwest is just considered "moderate." You have to go all the way to Minnesota before you run into any serious air quality issues. On Tuesday, the air quality rating for Boston was good. Hot weather in the forecast We expect the hottest and most uncomfortable air of the season in Massachusetts on Wednesday and Thursday.. High temperatures on Wednesday will range between 85-90 degrees across most of the area (away from the South Coast). On Thursday, we expect widespread 90-degree readings for the first time in 2025. WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston Dewpoints will climb well into the 60s, making it feel quite soupy outdoors. Another rainy weekend in Massachusetts? Pop quiz: What does the first week of June have in common with April and May? If you answered rainy Saturdays, you would be correct. This is getting downright ridiculous. Assuming it rains this Saturday, which as of now looks awfully suspicious, that will make 12 consecutive Saturdays with rain falling in parts of southern New England. On Friday, a cold front will arrive, bringing with it a change in wind direction as well as some showers and thunderstorms. Probably not the news you wanted to hear heading into the weekend, but at least it will serve to clear out the wildfire smoke from our area. This frontal boundary will be very slow to move through New England and in fact, may stall out through Saturday. Thus, for the 12th week in a row, we are forecasting periods of showers and storms across the area on Saturday. As we get closer, we will get you some more precise timing and impacts. For now, if you have the option, consider sliding the outdoor activities to Sunday ... again.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Another soggy Saturday in Massachusetts. Here's how long the rain will last this weekend.
If it's the weekend, there must be rain in the weather forecast for most of Massachusetts. Periods of heavy downpours are expected early Saturday. This will be the 11th straight Saturday with measurable rainfall in Worcester and the ninth out of 12 in Boston. WBZ-TV weather graphic. CBS Boston Boston will finish the month of May as one of the top five wettest months ever recorded in the city. Currently, 2025 is in fifth place, and it could climb as high as third depending on rainfall totals on Saturday. WBZ-TV weather graphic. CBS Boston Saturday weather forecast for Massachusetts The good news is it will NOT be raining all day Saturday. In fact, it won't even be close! The majority of the daylight hours will be dry. There is a relatively small window for these downpours, generally between about 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday. After that, we will see a mix of sun and clouds and carry a small threat of a few additional pop-up showers the remainder of the day. The downpours will be quick and intense early on Saturday. Some of the cells may contain embedded thunder and cause some brief, localized flooding. The highest rainfall amounts are expected across central and western Massachusetts, where an inch or two of water is anticipated. This really isn't about rainfall amounts, though, it's more about the intensity of the downpours and the timing. If you plan to attend any outdoor soccer or baseball games on Saturday, they may be washed out due to poor field conditions. WBZ-TV weather graphic. CBS Boston Luckily, it will at least be warm on Saturday with high temperatures topping out near 70 during the afternoon with a touch of lingering humidity in the air.
CBS News
29-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Record-setting rosary of boulders and chains in Massachusetts is so big you can walk through it
There's a Catholic shrine in Massachusetts, west of Boston, that has a rosary so large it's actually made of boulders and chains. The heart-shaped rosary at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston is 950-feet long. According to the World Record Academy, it's the largest sculpture of rosary beads on Earth. "They decided to think big and to create a rosary not necessarily with a record of size in mind but a place that people could walk through," said Father Carl Chudy, the shrine's co-director. "Usually when we hold a rosary, we go through it with our hands. This is a chance for people to be on a kind of pilgrimage." The rosary was built with large rocks taken from the construction of Interstate 495. "It was the early 70's, they were just digging up for the project to build I-495," Father Chudy said. "They had gotten permission to come and take these large boulders from there, one by one in a pickup truck. Connecting the boulders, they implemented an anchor and chain that came from a battleship actually, the John F. Kennedy." The heart-shaped rosary at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts is 950-feet long. CBS Boston The shrine covers 20 acres in Holliston. The rosary is made up of 60 boulders and each one has a prayer in a different language. "It's meant for all kinds of friends, Catholics, Christians of all types, but also peoples of other faiths," Fr. Chudy said. For more information about the shrine and the rosary, visit their website.
