Good afternoon, Attached is a one-page briefing with details on the current forecast and the challenges we are monitoring. We are closely monitoring the potential for strong to damaging wind gusts as we approach the new year. Wind gusts are now expected to increase by late Wednesday afternoon and persist through Thursday evening, with the strongest winds during the day on Thursday. Confidence is high that all of southern New England will experience gusts of 45 to 55 mph, with isolated gusts up to 60 mph. As a result, a Wind Advisory has been issued for all of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, effective from late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. One forecast challenge is the potential for gusts to reach 60 mph in localized areas, including western and central Massachusetts. However, confidence in aerial coverage is currently too low to issue a High Wind Watch or Warning for these locations. If confidence increases, these areas may see an upgrade from a Wind Advisory to a High Wind Warning. Winds will begin to diminish overnight Thursday into Friday morning with gusts 25 to 35 mph. Additionally, much colder temperatures are expected Friday, with highs in the 30s, and potentially sub-freezing highs over the weekend. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Our next briefing is scheduled for Wednesday by 6 AM. Thank you, Meteorologists Hayden Frank, Bryce Williams, and Torry Dooley If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach us via: email: box.operations@noaa.gov phone: 508.622.3280 Slack/NWSChat 2.0 <https://nwschatws.slack.com/> (for approved partners) social media: Website <http://www.weather.gov/boston> | Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/NWSBoston> | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/NWSBoston>
