Weather for New England and the Northeast

New England Weather Outlook: Sunday, October 11 Through Friday, October 16, 2026

New England is heading into a changeable stretch of October weather, with two rounds of rain expected early in the week before cooler, drier conditions return. The National Weather Service offices in Gray, Maine, and Norton, Massachusetts, are highlighting an initial system arriving Sunday night into Monday, followed by another round of rain Tuesday into early Wednesday. Temperatures will generally remain seasonable to mildly warm ahead of the second system, then turn cooler as the week progresses.

Sunday, October 11, will begin on a relatively quiet note, with a mix of sunshine and increasing high clouds. High pressure moving offshore will allow temperatures to climb into the 60s across much of New England. Clouds will thicken from southwest to northeast during the afternoon as moisture associated with the remnants of Isaias approaches the region. Rain chances will increase late in the day, particularly across southern New England, with showers becoming more widespread Sunday evening and overnight. Northern areas may see less rainfall, especially across northern Maine and the higher terrain.

Monday, October 12, will start unsettled, with periods of rain continuing into the morning, especially across southern and central New England. A developing area of low pressure is expected to track eastward south of the Gulf of Maine. Southern New Hampshire and portions of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have a better chance of receiving meaningful rainfall, while precipitation amounts should generally decrease farther north. Some locations could receive around half an inch of rain, particularly across southern New Hampshire, although the exact amounts and northern extent of the rain remain uncertain. The rain should gradually taper off during the day, with breaks in the clouds and some afternoon improvement possible. High temperatures will reach the 60s in many locations, with some southern areas approaching the upper 60s.

Tuesday, October 13, brings the next round of unsettled weather as a cold front drops south from Canada and another area of low pressure develops along it. Rain chances will increase across much of the region, with the best chances spreading across northern and mountainous areas early before extending farther south. Periods of rain and showers may continue through Tuesday night, with some locations receiving another beneficial round of rainfall. Temperatures will begin to turn cooler, particularly across northern New England, while breezy conditions develop as the system moves through.

Wednesday, October 14, should begin with a chance of lingering showers, especially across northern and mountainous sections of New England. As the system departs, conditions should gradually improve, with breaks of sunshine developing during the day. Cooler air moving into northern New England may allow a few lingering rain showers to mix with or change to snow over the highest elevations of the White Mountains. Any such wintry precipitation should be confined to higher terrain rather than the valleys. Southern New England may remain somewhat milder, while northern areas experience a more noticeable autumn chill. The improving weather will mark the beginning of a transition toward a drier second half of the week.

Thursday, October 15, is expected to bring a welcome return to generally dry weather as high pressure builds into the region. Partly sunny to mostly sunny skies should provide better conditions for outdoor activities and viewing the fall foliage. Temperatures will be cooler than earlier in the week, with highs generally in the upper 50s to lower 60s, depending on location. Overnight temperatures will drop, particularly across northern New England and inland valleys, where the cooler air will be more noticeable.

Friday, October 16, should remain seasonably cool, although cloud cover and the possibility of another approaching weather system could begin to increase. Much of the region may see a mix of clouds and sunshine, with temperatures generally in the 50s to lower 60s. The forecast becomes less certain toward the end of the week, so the timing of any additional showers may change as newer forecasts become available.

Overall, the main weather story for New England from October 11 through October 16 will be two rounds of potentially beneficial rain early in the week, followed by improving conditions and cooler autumn weather. The heaviest rainfall is more likely across southern and central portions of the region during the first system, while the second system is expected to bring a broader period of showers. By Thursday, drier weather should return, offering a better opportunity to enjoy the fall scenery. The highest elevations of the White Mountains could even see a brief taste of early-season wintry weather as colder air arrives Wednesday.

Forecast note: This summary is based on the available NWS Gray and NWS Boston/Norton forecast discussions and the current regional outlook. Rainfall totals, the exact timing of the two systems, and conditions late in the week remain subject to change.

Fall foliage across New England is following its typical north-to-south and high-to-low elevation progression in 2026. As of October 10, the best color is generally found across northern New England and the higher elevations of the White Mountains, Green Mountains, and western Maine, where many areas are at or near peak, while some northern locations are already beginning to move past their brightest stage. Central and southern valleys, including New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region around Peterborough and Keene, are catching up, with more widespread peak color expected as the season progresses through October. Cool nights have helped encourage vivid reds, oranges, and yellows, while milder weekend temperatures may slow the pace of change slightly without reversing it. Lower elevations and sheltered valleys tend to hold their green leaves longer, so the coming days should offer a good opportunity to enjoy both the fading mountain colors and the developing displays farther south.

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