Get used to the damp: Forecasters say rain won’t go away till Friday

By Lauren Dezenski, Globe Correspondent

Keep those umbrellas and rain boots on hand for the rest of the week. A meandering storm system will creating a minor coastal flooding risk today, keep the rain falling through Thursday evening, and even bring a brief shot at snow Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

The system began last night as snow for some in the northwest, including Worthington, which saw the state’s highest snowfall so far with 4½ inches of snow. Four inches fell in Buckland, Chester saw 3½ inches, and Pepperell received 1½ inches, according to weather service storm totals. Now, that snow has transitioned to rain as the area’s temperatures warm into the 40s for today, meteorologist Bill Simpson said.

Rain will likely fall for much of today, as the storm stalls over the state, producing just over an inch of precipitation and raising flooding risks, Simpson said. Temperatures will stay in the low 40s throughout the state.

Minor coastal flooding is possible with today’s high tide and breezy winds, the weather service said.

The weather service has issued a coastal flood advisory for the south coast’s morning high tide and the east coast’s high tide around midday. Forecasters warned of a 1½- to 2-foot storm surge, potentially producing pockets of minor coastal flooding on vulnerable shore roads and in basements.

Inland, there is a potential for poor drainage urban flooding, but nothing beyond that, Simpson said.

In New Hampshire, officials are warning residents of roof collapse dangers as the system’s heavy, wet snow, followed by rain, creates conditions for roofs to give way.

Tonight, the rain will continue as temperatures remain above freezing throughout the state. Thursday, though still rainy, will be slightly warmer, with highs in the upper 40s, ahead of temperatures dropping overnight into Friday morning.

Friday morning’s commute has a potential for black ice thanks to the below-freezing temperatures throughout the metro, Simpson said. Snow could fall briefly Friday afternoon, but with highs in the mid 30s, it isn’t expected to stick.