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First Night Boston weather likely to be wet with rain arriving late New Year's Eve

Next Weather: WBZ Update
Next Weather: WBZ Update 03:13

BOSTON - If you have New Year's Eve plans in Boston or anywhere else in Massachusetts, be prepared for heavy rain late. 

The timing of this one will be critical, given the number of people who will be out celebrating Tuesday night. 

Right now, there is some good news for most of the festivities. A mild and dry evening for dinner plans and it appears the rain will hold off until after midnight for most of the area. The latest trends bring it into Boston around 1 a.m., after the fireworks have come to an end. 

For areas south and west of the city arrival will be a bit earlier, and for those north of the city a little later.  

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WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston

Downpours will be locally very heavy for the time of year, with thunder and lightning also possible late tonight into the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday. 

Travel will be hazardous for anyone heading home on the roads after 1 a.m. A widespread half inch to an inch of rain is likely, with a few locally higher totals possible.

First Night Boston forecast

So, if you are heading out Tuesday, maybe to First Night in Boston, plan to bring some rain gear for later in the evening. 

Clouds will increase late in the afternoon and through the evening. Temperatures will be mild, peaking over 50 in the afternoon and dropping into the mid 30s to low 40s at night. Again, rain will arrive just after midnight. 

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WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston

Rainfall amounts will be similar to this past storm, mainly between .5 inches to 1.0 inch.

That's not enough for any significant flooding, but there may be some big puddles on the roads for those driving overnight and into the early hours on Wednesday.

Strong wind gusts possible on Thursday

Our attention will turn to the chance of strong to damaging winds behind the storm, arriving late Wednesday evening and peaking during the day on Thursday. 

Wind alert
WBZ-TV graphic CBS Boston

Strong gusts of 40-60 mph are expected, leading to scattered pockets of damage/outages. 

Wind advisories have been posted across the area and while less wind is expected Friday into the weekend, it will remain gusty and increasingly cold with highs near 30 on Saturday and Sunday.

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