Cooler and windy Saturday near 49, patchy frost possible early Sunday, small craft advisory on the bays
Northwest winds around 24 mph keep Saturday chilly, with a low near 34 Saturday night. A small craft advisory runs until 2 a.m. Sunday. Sunday is sunny and near 53. Afternoon high tide near 8.4 feet.
· Saturday, October 17 · Updated Saturday, October 17
Trust Check: Checked against public records
Saturday turns cool and windy after Friday's rain, the National Weather Service says. Patchy frost is possible early Sunday, and Sunday is sunny and calmer.
The forecast
The National Weather Service in Norton expects the following in Gloucester, in its 10:22 p.m. Friday update:
- Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 8 a.m., then partly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind around 24 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Patchy frost after 5 a.m. North wind 7 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
- Sunday: Patchy frost before 8 a.m., then sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 7 mph.
- Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. East wind around 6 mph.
On the water
A small craft advisory is in effect for Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay until 2 a.m. Sunday. Today, northwest winds of 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots and seas of 3 to 4 feet, with a chance of showers this morning. Tonight, north winds of 15 to 20 knots, easing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight, with gusts up to 30 knots. Sunday, north winds of 5 to 10 knots, turning east in the afternoon, with seas of 2 to 3 feet. Seas build to 4 to 6 feet Monday afternoon.
Tides
High tides in Gloucester Harbor, according to NOAA predictions:
- Saturday: 4:24 a.m. (7.5 feet) and 4:33 p.m. (8.4 feet). Low tides at 10:17 a.m. and 11:01 p.m.
- Sunday: 5:19 a.m. (7.3 feet) and 5:29 p.m. (8.2 feet). Low tides at 11:11 a.m. and 11:57 p.m.
Rockport's tides come 2 to 6 minutes earlier than Gloucester Harbor's. In the Essex River, they run from about 9 minutes earlier to 20 minutes later.
Rain and the drought
The state's drought status page still lists Cape Ann's region at Level 2, Significant Drought, declared Oct. 9. Read what the drought level means.
Gloucester's Halloween party at Stage Fort Park is Sunday, Oct. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. Read more.
Earlier coverage: Rain and fog Friday with gusts near 33 mph, then a gale watch on the water into Saturday (Oct. 16), Friday's forecast.
Sources
- RecordNational Weather Service Boston/Norton: 7-day forecast for Gloucester, updated 10:22 p.m. Oct. 16, 2026
- RecordNational Weather Service: Coastal waters forecast, Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay (ANZ251), 4:05 a.m. Oct. 17
- RecordNational Weather Service: active alerts for ANZ251 (small craft advisory) and MAZ007 (none), checked about 5 a.m. Oct. 17
- RecordNOAA Tides and Currents: tide predictions, Gloucester Harbor (8441841)
- RecordNOAA Tides and Currents: tide predictions, Rockport (8441551)
- RecordNOAA Tides and Currents: tide predictions, Essex (8441771)
- RecordMass.gov: Drought status (Northeast region Level 2, declared Oct. 9, 2026)
- RecordCity of Gloucester: Halloween Party, Stage Fort Park, Sunday, Oct. 18 (city calendar)
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