Weather swings ahead: chilly days then rain, then warmth returns

This weekend Massachusetts braces for cool winds and dry air that could spark small fires. Temperatures will struggle to climb past the mid-50s on Saturday, while Springfield sneaks up to 60 degrees. Boston tops out at 58, Worcester at 56, Cape Cod at 57, and the Berkshires only at 52. Gusts up to 30 mph will make it feel even sharper, and overnight lows dive toward the mid-30s, dipping below freezing in the western hills. Sunday offers no real warmth—afternoon readings linger in the low to mid-50s—before a 50 % chance of showers rolls into eastern and central areas after dark and a 30 % chance reaches the west.By Monday the mercury inches upward but precipitation lingers, turning streets briefly wet even as the sun tries to push temperatures into the upper 60s. Tuesday quickly jumps to the upper 70s, and by Wednesday parts of the state might crack 80 degrees for the first time in weeks. For anyone still waiting for summer, the wait may be almost over. Firefighters will keep extra eyes on the woods this weekend because the dry air plus wind equals classic kindling conditions. Overnight frost warnings might surprise gardeners who tucked away their plants a little too early.