Weather unlikely to stop Esplanade fireworks show over the Charles River, organizers say

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

The legendary fireworks show over the Esplanade is expected to go on as scheduled despite the threat of bad weather, officials said.

Steve MacDonald, spokesman for Boston 4th Productions, said any cancellation would be a last-minute decision. Forecasters are predicting late afternoon thunderstorms on Wednesday with clearer skies by the time the fireworks show begins about 10:30 p.m.

“It will be a call made on the best information available. We will consult with our weather forecasters and a team of public safety officials before any decision is made,” said MacDonald. “As always, the main thing is public safety. We are not going to endanger the public.”

MacDonald said lightning and strong winds would force a cancellation, but light rain would not stop the 20-minute fireworks show.

About 10,000 fireworks will be launched from seven barges on the Charles River.

Showers and thunderstorms are predicted throughout the day, the National Weather Service reports. Temperature is expected to rise to the lower 80s.

While the chance of rain remains at 40 percent, a large amount of the evening forecast depends on the outcome of the morning and afternoon showers. Weather service meteorologist Charlie Foley, the more sunshine we get Wednesday the more severe the thunderstorms will be. If there are more clouds than sun, the thunderstorms may be weaker, but the possibility of rain does not change.

Expect sunny skies today with temperatures in the lower 80s. Clouds will move in later this evening leading to lows in the upper 60s overnight. Hotter temperatures and humidity will return at the end of the week — a boon for those who have decided to make a long weekend of it by fleeing to the beach.