Drizzle expected to dampen Super Tuesday in Northeast

February 4, 2008 12:04 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

A light but steady drizzle is expected to make for a soggy Super Tuesday in Massachusetts as voters head to the polls in one of the most significant presidential primaries in state history.

Temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid-40s with a gentle onshore breeze blowing at 10 to 15 miles per hour. The rain is expected to taper off in the late afternoon, according to Bill Simpson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton.

"It appears now mostly cloudy and a rainy day all day," Simpson said.

A dreary day is predicted for much of the Northeast, where primaries will also be held in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.

As 24 states hold primaries and caucuses across the country, the weather is expected to be relatively mild, according to Tony Zartman, meteorologist with AccuWeather.com. The exceptions are Missouri and Arkansas, where turnout at two party primaries could be dampened by severe thunderstorms, and Kansas, where snow could affect the Democratic caucus.

“It looks like the best day is going to be in the Southeast, where it should be a warm, dry day,” Zartman said.

That could be good news for voters in Alabama and Georgia, where temperatures may near 80 degrees. It should also be a nice day in California and other Western states where primaries are scheduled.