Here's What Storm Nicole Will Bring To MA: Rain, Wind Forecasts

MASSACHUSETTS — The remnants of tropical storm Nicole will blow through southern New England Friday into Saturday, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds — and setting up a big swing in temperatures.

Nicole made landfall in Florida early Thursday morning as a category 1 hurricane, but quickly dwindled to a tropical storm with winds up to 45 mph as it tracked over land.

The storm will begin to creep into our area late Friday afternoon, according to forecasts.

"The remnants of Nicole will begin to spread rain into the region on Friday. This system has the potential to bring wind-driven rains, gusty winds, especially across southeast New England, along with hazardous marine conditions late on Friday through Saturday. A strong cold front ushers in a cold, dry air mass to end the weekend. Below normal temperatures expected early to mid next week," the National Weather Service said in a forecast Thursday.

Rainfall could total between 1 and 1-1/2 inches between I-95 and the Quabbin Reservoir, while the Boston area, North Shore and South Shore could see half to 1 inch. The Berkshires will get the brunt, with rainfall up to 2 inches or more.

Wind gusts will hit peak strength around 6 a.m. Saturday. In general, wind speeds will be higher — near 40 mph — in the eastern half of Massachusetts between Worcester and Boston. Higher wind gusts in the 40s and near 50 may strike the island and outer Cape.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory starting at 10 p.m. Friday covering Bristol and Plymouth counties and Cape Cod. The advisory says gusts could reach up to 50 mph.

And that cold air mass? Current forecasts predict daytime highs in the mid-40s by Monday — a steep drop from the 70-degrees much of the state will see on Saturday.