Thanksgiving Weather: Chilly but Clear Across New England
New England is in for a changeable weather pattern as Thanksgiving approaches.
Brief Warm-Up
The region just experienced a brief warm-up, with temperatures soaring to around 60 degrees on Wednesday. This warm spell, however, is short-lived.
Cold Front Arrival
A cold front is expected to move through overnight, bringing a chance of showers and gusty winds.
Thanksgiving Day Forecast
By Thanksgiving Day, the weather will be quite different:
- Sunny skies
- Dry conditions
- Windy at times
- Significantly cooler temperatures, only reaching the mid-40s in the afternoon
- Wind chill making it feel even colder, around the 30s
Activities
- Football Games: Fields should be dry, but a towel might come in handy to wipe off the bleachers.
- Turkey Trots: Runners can expect decent running weather, albeit a bit breezy.
Higher Elevations
In the higher elevations of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, there might be a few brief snow showers. However, the rest of the six-state region should enjoy a dry Thanksgiving.
Sunset Time
The sun will set at 4:13 p.m., which is just two minutes later than the earliest sunrise on December 8 and four minutes earlier than the Christmas Day sunset.
Thanksgiving Weather Variability
Thanksgiving weather can vary greatly depending on the date, as it can fall anywhere from November 20 to November 28. This variability is unlike holidays like Christmas or the Fourth of July, which have more consistent weather patterns.
Historical Examples
- 1989: Boston received 4.4 inches of snow on Thanksgiving Day.
- 1941: Temperatures reached a balmy 71 degrees in many areas.
- Typically: Thanksgiving temperatures hover around the 40s.
Regional Forecasts
- Greater Boston: Sunny but blustery day with temperatures in the mid-40s.
- Central and Western Massachusetts: Blue skies and temperatures in the low to mid-40s, with notable wind.
- Southeastern Massachusetts: Plenty of sunshine and mid-40s temperatures.
- The Cape and Islands: Sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-40s, but the wind will make it feel chillier.
- Rhode Island: Chilly and blustery day with sunshine and mid-40s temperatures.
- New Hampshire: Partly to mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 30s and a bit of breeze.
