Brisk MLK Day: Lingering Snow Makes Way for an Arctic Chill in Boston
Morning Flakes and Holiday Commute Hazards
Bostonians waking up on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day will find a city draped in white as the second half of a weekend winter storm winds down. According to the latest forecasts for Monday, January 19, 2026, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the Greater Boston area until 7:00 AM. While the heaviest accumulation occurred overnight, light snow is expected to persist through the early morning hours, primarily before 10:00 AM. Travelers and holiday commuters should be wary of slippery road conditions and black ice, particularly on untreated surfaces where overnight moisture has frozen solid.
Afternoon Clearing and Temperature Peaks
As the morning progresses, the storm system will track further east into the Atlantic, allowing the heavy cloud cover to break. By midday, Boston is expected to see partly sunny skies, offering a brief reprieve from the wintry weather. Temperatures will reach their daily peak in the early afternoon, climbing to approximately 35°F. While this remains near the freezing mark, the lack of significant wind during the afternoon hours will provide a relatively stable window for outdoor holiday events and commemorations across the city.
Evening Arctic Blast and Biting Winds
The calm of the afternoon will be short-lived as a powerful Arctic cold front is slated to sweep through New England starting late Monday evening. Residents should prepare for a dramatic shift in conditions as the sun sets. An influx of frigid air from the north will cause temperatures to plummet, reaching an overnight low of 18°F. More concerning than the raw temperature is the arrival of biting west-southwest winds. Gusts between 25 and 35 mph are predicted to develop late tonight, creating dangerous wind chills that will make it feel significantly colder than the actual air temperature.
Today’s Weather at a Glance
- High Temperature: 35°F (early afternoon)
- Low Temperature: 18°F (overnight)
- Precipitation: 35% chance of snow before 10:00 AM; clearing thereafter.
- Wind: WSW 10–15 mph in the afternoon, increasing to 25–35 mph gusts by evening.
- Alerts: Winter Weather Advisory until 7:00 AM; Black Ice Warning for morning motorists.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the week, the cold snap is expected to intensify, with Tuesday's highs struggling to reach the low 20s. For today, the priority for residents should be clearing any remaining snow from sidewalks before the evening freeze turns slush into solid ice, making removal much more difficult.