Cloudy, Wet, and Cool Weather Forecast for Busy Boston Weekend

Rain, chilly temps, and gusty winds expected to impact major events like the Boston Marathon.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:56pm

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A dramatic landscape painting in muted tones, with a lone runner battling against a fierce wind under a bleak, cloud-covered sky, conveying the overwhelming power of the natural elements.The daunting combination of chilly temperatures, gusty winds, and potential rain showers will challenge runners and spectators at this year's Boston Marathon.Boston Today

The weather forecast for the upcoming Patriots Day weekend in Boston calls for cloudy skies, rain showers, and cooler than normal temperatures. Saturday will see drizzle and highs only in the upper 40s to low 50s, while Sunday will bring more widespread rain throughout the day. Behind a cold front, some mountain snow showers are also possible. The forecast for Marathon Monday includes patchy frost, gusty winds, and temperatures only reaching the 40s, making for challenging conditions for runners and spectators.

Why it matters

Major events like the Boston Marathon, New England Revolution soccer match, and Tough Ruck Marathon will all be impacted by the unsettled and chilly weather over the holiday weekend. The cool, wet conditions could affect participation, attendance, and overall event experience for organizers, athletes, and fans.

The details

The weather pattern will feature cloudy skies, periods of rain, and below-average temperatures all weekend long in the Boston area. On Saturday, drizzle and highs in the upper 40s to low 50s are expected, while Sunday will see more widespread rain moving in by sunrise ahead of a cold front. Behind the front, some mountain snow showers are possible in northern areas. For Marathon Monday, lows in the mid-30s, gusty winds, and highs only reaching the 40s are forecast, making for a chilly day for runners and spectators.

  • On Saturday, drizzle and highs in the upper 40s to low 50s are expected.
  • Rain moves in by sunrise on Sunday, continuing off and on throughout the day.
  • Behind the Sunday cold front, some mountain snow showers are possible up north.
  • For Marathon Monday, lows start in the mid-30s with patchy frost and highs only reach the 40s.
  • Temperatures fall to below freezing in the suburbs on Tuesday morning.

The players

Boston Marathon

The iconic annual marathon race held in Boston on Patriots Day, drawing thousands of runners and spectators.

New England Revolution

The professional soccer team that plays home matches at Gillette Stadium in the Boston suburbs.

Tough Ruck Marathon

A marathon event held in the Lexington, Bedford, and Concord areas, challenging runners with additional weight carried in their packs.

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What they’re saying

“We're watching lots of clouds, some rain, and cooler than normal temps all weekend long.”

— Pamela Gardner, NBC10 Boston Meteorologist

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the forecast and issue any necessary weather advisories or updates as the holiday weekend approaches.

The takeaway

The unsettled, chilly weather forecast for Boston's busy Patriots Day weekend could pose challenges for major outdoor events and activities, requiring organizers, participants, and spectators to plan accordingly with extra layers and preparations for potential rain, wind, and below-average temperatures.