Weather

‘That record is pretty vulnerable’: Potentially record cold — a bit of snow — to roll into Boston this week

“We’re looking at highs only in the low 30s, so that record is pretty vulnerable.”

An early, cold fall morning made many put on their winter clothing on Nov. 8. David L. Ryan / The Boston Globe

By Arianna MacNeill

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The Boston area may break a long-standing cold weather record on Wednesday as temperatures are set to rise to just over 30 degrees.

The low record is 36 degrees for a high on Nov. 13, and it was set in 1874, according to Bill Simpson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“We’re looking at highs only in the low 30s,” he said, “so that record is pretty vulnerable.”

Meteorologist David Epstein called breaking this record “likely.”

“That’s an old record,” he said.

The area could approach breaking another record, but it’s less likely. The record low temperature for the morning of Nov. 13 is 14 degrees, and that was set in 1883, Simpson said. However, Wednesday morning is predicted to be in “the upper teens.”

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“So that record may be safe, if you will,” he said.

“Exceptionally cold Wednesday ahead for the time of year,” Eric Fisher, a meteorologist with WBZ, said. “If Boston stays below 32F, would be the earliest subfreezing high on record by a day. Should be close.”

Meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon with WCVB noted that there’s even colder wind chills that come along with the “blast of cold.”

The cold is making its way to Boston from the Midwest, according to Simpson.

“The upper Midwest, that cold air, it’s basically a straight shot,” he said. “That trajectory is moving toward us. … The good thing is, it’s short lived.”

Boston could also see its first snowfall of the season this week. Snow is predicted for Tuesday throughout Massachusetts, but it will be “short lived,” with Boston only predicted to see less than an inch – 1 to 2 inches is possible in the higher elevations in western Massachusetts, according to Simpson.

“As far as snow, the likelihood of accumulation itself is pretty nil,” Simpson said, noting that the snow could stick to the grass but will likely melt on the pavement since it should be above freezing.

After the snow and the cold, the end of the week warms up.

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Friday’s high is predicted for around 51 degrees with sun, according to the service. Saturday and Sunday are also predicted to be sunny with highs of 36 and 43 degrees, respectively.

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