Sunny With Scattered Precautions: How To Enjoy This Weekend

BOSTON — April didn't feel much like spring this year. For the first time in the state's recorded history, temperatures didn't reach higher than 65 degrees.

But as May begins, it's finally going to start feeling a lot like spring this weekend. The forecast now has temperatures coming close to 70 degrees for Saturday and Sunday with some decent sun.

Most years, the warmer temperatures are a beacon for people to get active and outside. But the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people are enjoying the weather.

Department of Conservation and Recreation spokesperson Troy Wall told Patch people visiting state parks and beaches need to consider how many people are in the area and continue practice social distancing.

"If a park is crowded, please consider leaving the area and either visiting a different location or returning at a later date or time," Wall said. "Typically, state parks are less busy during the week or early in the morning."

Pickup sports games and other activities where people are in close contact need to be avoided, but people are still plenty of ways for people to get outside.

Wall said the DCR has encouraged people to visit parks within walking distance or a short drive from their home. Getting outside in a residential neighborhood also helps minimize crowds at the parks, he said.

Here are some other guidelines the department asked that people follow when getting some fresh air:

• Follow posted rules, such as the agency’s current “carry in, carry out” policy regarding trash and other waste
• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;
• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;
• Wear a facemask in public;
• Practice healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds; and,
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population.

Boston-area weekend forecast via NWS

Friday - Showers, mainly before noon. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 2pm. High near 63. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Saturday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday - A slight chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.