Two days of drenching rain are set to bookend an often-cool and dreary spring before a dramatic warmup will finally bring the feel of summer to Massachusetts.
While the spring has been on the chilly side, with many cloudy and misty days, rain totals are well below normal, contributing to early-season water restrictions in several cities and towns, and ongoing drought conditions across the state.
The state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said in its latest drought map last week that the majority of the eastern and central parts of the state are in a "significant" drought.
But this week's soaker should help, with a nice, seasonable, and sunny day on Tuesday, followed by the chance of showers on Wednesday and two days of rain Thursday and Friday, when temperatures will struggle to get out of the 50s.
Most of the region will receive more than 1 inch of rain, with some areas getting up to 2 inches, before things take a big turn on Saturday.
The National Weather Service said Wednesday will be a mostly cloudy day with a chance of showers early in the day and a high of 63 degrees.
Rain moves back in overnight into Thursday morning with a strong south wind gusting to 22 mph.
Thursday will feature widespread rain throughout the day with a southeast wind and a high of 60 degrees.
Rain continues into what is looking like a raw and March-like Friday with highs in the 50s and wind switching around from the north.
But things change in a big way starting on Saturday for what the NWS said is likely to be a prolonged stretch of very warm, sunny, and summerlike weather.
The forecast on Saturday is for sunny skies with a high of 73 degrees, with Sunday highs near 80.
The long-range forecast is calling for temperatures well into the 80s — possibly approaching 90 degrees at times — all of next week, with a chance of thunderstorms later in the week.
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