Wednesday, May 13, 2026, started on a gray note in Boston, with mostly cloudy skies, temperatures near 50°F at Logan Airport and a south breeze already stirring. This afternoon should top out near 60°F, with just a slight chance of spotty showers between about 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
By later today, those south winds will be more than just a nuisance, generally running 5 to 20 mph with gusts near 30 mph on exposed waterfront spots and bridge crossings. A stronger system moves in Thursday and hangs around into Friday, bringing widespread rain with “rainfall totals on the order of 1–2 inches” possible in some locations, according to the National Weather Service.
Out on the water, a Small Craft Advisory is up for the outer waters this afternoon and evening, and conditions will feel every bit like it: choppy seas and gusty winds that will test your sea legs.
Thursday Into Friday: Soaking Rain Likely
The real soaking starts Thursday morning and keeps at it into Friday, lining up perfectly with both the morning and evening commutes. Expect wet roads, slower traffic and reduced visibility for the next two rush-hour cycles. The heaviest rain will be somewhat hit-or-miss, so one neighborhood could grab most of the totals while another sees less, but everyone should be ready for ponding on city streets.
If you were banking on outdoor plans Thursday or Friday, it is time to move them inside or line up a solid backup plan.
Weekend Rebound
The payoff comes this weekend, when high pressure settles in and temperatures bounce back. Highs should reach near 69°F on Saturday and around 73°F on Sunday, with the potential for even warmer readings early next week. We first flagged this pattern shift in our April 28 coverage; check out our earlier call on the coming soaker-and-sun combo. Expect lower humidity and sunnier skies into next week as the recent wet stretch winds down…