Synopsis:

High pressure will remain in control through at least tomorrow afternoon, before a weak disturbance coming in from the Great Lakes will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms later Thursday afternoon into Friday. High pressure will build in for the weekend bringing drier weather. An anomalous strong upper-level ridge will build in across the Eastern U.S. through next week, with well above normal temperatures continuing.

Short Term: (Tonight through Friday Afternoon)

High pressure will provide for mainly clear skies through tonight with temperatures dropping in the upper 30s across the northwest to upper 40s to near 50 across the southeast. The main weather story for Thursday will be the warm temperatures and the chance for precipitation. With abundant sunshine and southerly winds, most places should see highs reaching into the lower to mid-70s, with a few spots near the southern border flittering with 80 degrees.  With a weak disturbance approaching from the Great Lakes, the threat for pop up thunderstorms exists. CAPE is forecast to be between 500-1000 J/KG with decent lapse rates, however, the 0-6km shear will remain between 10-20 knots and forcing will be rather weak. Therefore, widespread convection is not very likely.  The threat for showers will continue into Friday afternoon, before high pressure builds in later Friday night.

Long Term: (Saturday through Next Week)

High Pressure will build in off the New England Coast through the weekend providing for dry conditions. An easterly flow will keep temperatures cooler with highs reaching into the 60s. By early next week, all model guidance is showing an anomalous strong 500mb ridge building in across the Eastern U.S, providing for potential record warmth across the commonwealth.