Boston weather is a mood. Honestly, if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the "official" forecast is really just a polite suggestion from someone looking at a screen in Taunton. This morning, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we’re waking up to a city that feels a lot more like April than mid-winter. We are currently sitting at a balmy 40°F, and the mercury is actually gunning for a high of 53°F by the afternoon.
It’s weird.
But don't let the light jacket vibes fool you. The boston ma weather forecast 10 day outlook is basically a rollercoaster that drops off a cliff in about 24 hours. If you’re planning your week, you’re looking at a classic New England "bait and switch" where we go from record-challenging warmth to bone-chilling cold and a messy weekend storm.
The Thaw Before the Hammer
Today is the peak of the "January Thaw." We're looking at cloudy skies and a decent chance of some scattered rain later tonight—about a 35% chance of the wet stuff. It’s the kind of day where the snow piles in the corners of the Stop & Shop parking lot start to look like sad, grey slush.
Thursday, January 15, starts out okay with highs near 47°F, but the bottom falls out after lunch. By the time you’re heading home from work, the wind is going to shift. Temperatures will plummet to 18°F overnight. That is a 30-degree swing in a few hours.
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Basically, the "mild" part of the week is a trap.
Friday is going to be brutal. We’re talking a high of only 29°F, and with the west wind gusting at 18 mph, the "feels like" temperature is going to stay in the teens or lower all day. It’s the kind of cold that makes your nose hair freeze the second you step out of South Station.
Tracking the January 17-18 Winter Storm
The big question mark in the boston ma weather forecast 10 day right now is the weekend. There has been a lot of chatter among local meteorologists and on weather boards like WXSphere about a system moving in from the Gulf.
Here is what we actually know for Saturday, January 17:
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- Morning: Likely dry with some sun. Highs near 39°F.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Clouds thicken up. This is when the "mix" starts.
- The Mess: We’re looking at a 35% chance of snow and rain mixing together.
Sunday isn't looking much better. It stays cold (high of 38°F, low of 24°F) with lingering snow showers. Most models—like the Euro and the GFS—aren't showing a massive "Snowpocalypse" yet. Instead, we’re looking at a coating to maybe an inch or two of sloppy, heavy slush.
It’s the worst kind of weather for driving. Not enough to justify a "snow day," but just enough to make I-93 a total disaster.
Deep Winter Takes Hold (Jan 19 - Jan 23)
Once that weekend system clears out, the air gets lean and mean. Monday, January 19, looks sunny but crisp with a high of 34°F. If you’re heading to Foxborough next Sunday for the Texans vs. Patriots playoff game, the early long-range data suggests "forbidding" conditions. We’re talking upper 30s with manageable winds, which is actually a win for January in New England.
Tuesday, January 20, is the coldest day in the current 10-day stretch.
High: 27°F.
Low: 18°F.
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The air is going to be very dry, so at least we won't be dealing with the damp chill that gets into your bones. Mid-week (Wednesday and Thursday) brings a slight "rebound" back to the low 30s, which, in Boston, we basically call "beach weather" by that point in the month.
Why the 10-Day Forecast Changes So Fast
People love to complain that the weathermen are always wrong. But Boston is a coastal city. We have the "Ocean Effect" and the "Heat Island" of the city buildings constantly fighting with the cold air coming down from Canada.
A "wobble" of 20 miles in a storm track is the difference between six inches of powder and a rainy Tuesday. Right now, the high-pressure system over the Atlantic is keeping the major storms at bay, but the Farmers' Almanac has been warning that late January 2026 is when "Winter's Wrath" actually starts.
Actionable Tips for This Week
Since the weather is going to be all over the place, here is how to actually handle the next 10 days without losing your mind.
- Drain the Pipes: With Thursday night dropping to 18°F after a rainy day, anything left outside or in unheated garages will freeze solid. Check your hoses.
- The Layering Rule: Today you need a raincoat. Friday you need a parka. Saturday you need waterproof boots. If you try to wear one coat all week, you’re going to be either sweating or shivering.
- Salt Your Walkways Friday Morning: Whatever rain falls Wednesday and Thursday will turn into a sheet of black ice by Friday morning. Get the salt down before you go to bed Thursday.
- Commuter Alert: Expect delays on the MBTA and Commuter Rail on Sunday and Monday morning. Even an inch of "greasy" snow can cause switch problems.
The boston ma weather forecast 10 day shows a classic New England transition. We are moving out of a weirdly warm spike and settling into the deep, dark heart of winter. Stay warm, keep the salt handy, and maybe don't wash your car until at least next Tuesday.
To prepare for the upcoming cold snap, verify your home's heating oil levels or ensure your heat pump filters are clean before the Friday temperature drop.