South Shore Braces for Wild Winter Weather Swings

The South Shore has had a rollercoaster of weather this week, with a mix of unseasonable warmth followed by a sharp return to winter’s chill.

Wednesday was mild, with temperatures climbing to a spring-like 54°F under mostly sunny skies. This warmth is well above the late-February average, which typically hovers around the low 40s. However, the brief taste of spring won’t last long.

Today, gusty winds and rain will move in, bringing temperatures down slightly to 52°F before dipping to the mid-30s overnight. Friday will clear up, but brisk winds will keep temperatures cooler at a high of 46°F. As the weekend approaches, Saturday will be cloudy and windy, with a chance of an afternoon shower and a high of 49°F.

Then comes a dramatic shift. Sunday will feel much more like a classic New England winter day, with strong winds and a sharp drop in temperatures, topping out at just 38°F before plummeting to a frigid 17°F overnight. This kind of temperature swing is unusual but not unheard of for late February. In recent years, the South Shore has seen more frequent fluctuations, with some years bringing early bursts of spring warmth, while others have remained locked in winter’s grip.

By Monday, the cold will linger with sunny but brisk conditions and a high of just 35°F. Tuesday offers some relief as milder temperatures return, reaching 46°F with increasing clouds.

These rapid weather swings highlight a growing trend seen in recent years, where warm spells in February give a false sense of an early spring before winter comes roaring back. While this week's forecast isn’t breaking records, it is part of a pattern of increasingly erratic winter weather that has become more noticeable over the past decade. South Shore residents should be prepared for the ups and downs, keeping both their winter coats and rain gear close at hand.