Temperatures expected to be frosty tonight

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

The sun should peek through the clouds today, but residents in the western part of the state will have to brave near freezing temperatures overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

“Autumn is here,” said weather service meteorologist Benjamin Sipprell.

While temperatures today are expected to climb to the 70s, the mercury is expected to plummet tonight, particularly in Western Massachusetts.

The weather service has issued a frost advisory for Berkshire County because overnight temperatures there could dip to 33 degrees.

“It’s the valley locales that will see the coldest of the air,” Sipprell said.

He said clear skies, light winds, and radiational cooling will combine to cause the low temperatures.

The near-freezing temperatures could damage crops, according to the weather service. The advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday.

The cooler air mass will stick around Thursday, causing temperatures near 65 in Boston. Normal temperatures this time of year are in the mid-70s. Thursday will also feature clear skies and light winds. Areas near the coastline may be a bit warmer because of the ocean air, Sipprell said.

“The temperatures you see overnight usually rebound about 25 degrees,” Sipprell said.

The heavy rain and violent winds that snapped trees and ripped down power lines across the Bay State Tuesday are still causing trouble on the Cape and islands, Sipprell said.

“Seas will average about eight feet, gradually diminishing throughout the day,” he said.

The weather service issued a high surf advisory for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, in effect until 6 p.m.

Rough waves and strong rip currents could prove dangerous for swimmers, according to the weather service.

The storm front that caused Tuesday’s harsh weather is sitting above Nantucket right now, Sipprell said.

The front will slow and stall, but could shhift back into New England, causing more storms Friday and through the weekend, he said.

He said the best chance for another line of storms is along the eastern shoreline.

“I think we’ll have to make some decisions later today in terms of interior New England,” Sipprell said. “It may just end up staying dry. We’ll see what happens.”