Rain, wind to drench runners at 123rd Boston Marathon
While the heaviest storms exited before the start of the race, some rain or thunderstorms could linger during later parts of the day.
For the second year in a row, rain and wind could lead to sloppy conditions for the Boston Marathon on Monday, Patriots' Day.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators will cheer on 30,000 runners along the course from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to downtown Boston.
During last year's marathon, over 1.50 inches of rain and chilly conditions led to a downright raw and miserable race with slower completion times than previous years.
Those participating in this year's event should make sure they have waterproof gear at the ready, as there is the potential for similar conditions to unfold.
"As a storm moves toward the area next Monday, soggy conditions are in store for the Boston Marathon," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson.
Depending on the exact speed of the storm, the rain could pester the area for much of the day, affecting all waves of runners. The water on painted surfaces, such as pedestrian and motor vehicle lines, can make for slippery conditions for the runners.
The rain could be heavy enough to cause ponding of water on the course, like what occurred in 2018.
Runners splash through rain puddles as they cross the finish line of the 122nd running of the Boston Marathon, Monday, April 16, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The combination of the rain and any lingering snowpack may raise concerns of flooding with this storm across northern portions of New England.
The race is broken up into multiple waves, with the first set of racers set to start at 9:02 a.m. and the last wave scheduled at 11:15 a.m. EDT.
"It will likely be somewhat of a breezy day as well," Adamson said, adding that winds could be from the east or northeast for the early part of the day before switching to a more southwesterly direction by the afternoon.
The course generally runs in an east-to-northeast manner, meaning any wind from those directions will be coming at the runners head on.
Despite the rain, it could turn out mild with temperatures climbing through the 50s F and into the lower 60s by the afternoon.
Those who plan to attend the Boston Red Sox midday contest with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park will want to bring along rain gear. A delay or postponement will be possible.
Download the free AccuWeather app to keep up to date on the latest Patriots' Day forecast.
