.png){kind=logo}
Right now, if you’re standing out on the National Seashore or even just grabbing a coffee in Hyannis, you’re feeling that biting edge of a classic New England winter. Honestly, the Cape Cod MA weather today is a bit of a tease. It’s mostly cloudy and hovering around a chilly 31°F. But here is the thing: it actually feels more like 25°F because of that steady 6 mph breeze coming off the southwest.
It’s that weird, quiet kind of cold.
If you look at the sky, it's that heavy, "something is coming" gray. The humidity is sitting at a thick 77%, and while the chance of snow is only about 10% for the rest of tonight, the atmosphere feels like it's holding its breath.
The Weekend Shift Everyone Is Talking About
The Cape is about to hit a massive transition. Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, is going to be a total departure from today’s freezing stillness. We are looking at a high of 45°F. That sounds like a relief, right? Well, it comes with a price.
The wind is going to kick up significantly. We’re talking 17 mph gusts from the south. That warm-up is actually a precursor to a messy system. Most of Saturday will be cloudy, with a 35% chance of rain during the day.
Then it gets complicated.
Rain vs. Snow: The Great Sunday Divide
By Saturday night, the temperature drops back down to 34°F. That rain starts to look a lot more like snow, with a 20% chance of the white stuff falling overnight.
If you're tracking this for travel or just trying to figure out if you need to dig out the shovel, Sunday is the day to watch. While today is mostly about staying warm and dealing with "mostly cloudy" skies, Sunday is looking like a "snow likely" situation. Forecasters like Kevin Lemanowicz and the WBZ team are already mapping out a "double shot" of snow for the weekend.
✨ Don't miss: Which Doctor Are You Quiz: Why Your Result Actually Matters
For the folks down in the "elbow" of the Cape—places like Chatham and Harwich—the Sunday storm might actually hit harder than for the people inland. We are seeing predictions of 3 to 5 inches for the extreme southeast of Massachusetts, including the Cape and the Islands.
What This Means For Your Friday Night
Basically, if you’re on the Cape tonight, enjoy the relative calm. The southwest wind is gentle compared to what’s coming. Here’s the quick breakdown of what to expect for the rest of this evening:
- Current Temp: 31°F (Feels like 25°F).
- Sky: Mostly cloudy.
- Wind: Southwest at 6 mph.
- UV Index: 0 (Obviously, since it’s nighttime).
The marine side of things is a bit more intense. If you’re a mariner, you already know there’s been a Small Craft Advisory in effect. Earlier today, we were seeing gusts up to 35 knots in Cape Cod Bay. Things are settling slightly tonight, but with that 45°F "warm" front moving in tomorrow, the seas are going to stay choppy.
It’s a classic Cape Cod scenario where the ocean dictates the drama.
Why the "Feels Like" Temp Matters
A lot of people check the 31°F and think, "I can handle that." But on the Cape, the humidity and the wind direction change everything. Southwest winds often bring in a bit more moisture. That 77% humidity tonight makes the cold feel "wetter" and more bone-chilling than a dry cold in the Midwest.
📖 Related: The Tying the Knot Definition: Why We Still Use This Weird Phrase for Marriage
Practical Steps for the Next 24 Hours
If you’re living here or just visiting for a winter getaway, there are a few things you should probably do before the Saturday rain and Sunday snow mix things up.
- Check your seals: With humidity this high and temperatures dropping, any drafts in your house are going to feel twice as cold tonight.
- Clear the gutters: Since we’re hitting 45°F tomorrow with a chance of rain, you want that water moving away from your house before it potentially freezes into ice on Sunday.
- Plan for Sunday: If you have to be at the Patriots game or traveling over the Sagamore or Bourne bridges on Sunday, keep an eye on the timing. The snow is expected to develop right around the 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM window.
The Cape Cod MA weather today might seem quiet, but it’s really just the setup for a very messy, very New England weekend. Stay warm out there.