3 Dozen MA Beaches Closed Ahead Of Brilliant Summer Weekend: See Latest Forecast

Bay State residents are advised to check ahead before heading to the beach on what is forecast to be a beautiful summer weekend by the water, with three dozen Massachusetts spots closed to swimming as of Thursday following torrential rain earlier this week.

Storm runoff from heavy rain is often a contributing factor to summer beach closures, with tests for high bacteria levels coming back 24 to 48 hours following a rain event.

The bacteria used as indicator organisms to test the waters at beaches are Enterococci and E. coli. Marine beaches are tested for the presence of Enterococci. Freshwater beaches are tested either for the presence of E. coli or Enterococci. Enteric bacteria are indicator organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans, often associated with fecal contamination.

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An elevated presence of these organisms indicates the water may not be safe for human or animal consumption or contact, and may cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal pain to eye and ear discomfort to flu-like symptoms.

Most of these symptoms are minor, but occasionally a more serious illness may occur. Children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing serious symptoms.

Some beach areas may remain open for recreational activities, though any contact with the water is strongly discouraged.

Massachusetts beaches closed as of 10 a.m. on Thursday included:

• Ashby Damon Pond
• Barnstable Keyes Beach
• Beverly Mingo
• Danvers Sandy Beach
• Dartmouth Anthony Beach
• Dartmouth Hidden Bay
• Dartmouth Jones Town Beach North
• Dartmouth Jones Town Beach South
• Dartmouth Moses Smith Creek
• Dartmouth Oak Hill Shores
• Holden Eagle Lake
• Lanesborough Sunrise Beach
• Middleborough Camp Yomechas
• Newburyport 55th Street
• Newburyport Plum Island East 1
• Newburyport Plum Island East 2
• Newburyport Plum Island Point
• North Andover Frye Pond Beach
• Oxford Carbuncle Pond
• Quincy Merrymount
• Quincy Mound
• Quincy Nickerson
• Salem Children's Island Back
• Salem Children's Island Wally
• Salem Ocean Avenue
• Salem Willow Avenue
• Swampscott King's Beach
• Swansea Coles River Club
• Tisbury Owen Little Way
• Tisbury Tashmoo Beach
• Tisbury Tashmoo Cut
• Wareham Forbes
• Wareham Standish Shores
• Winthrop Donovan's Beach
• Winthrop Pico Beach
• Worcester Coes Pond Beach

See Latest Forecast (National Weather Service):

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.

Thursday Night

Clear, with a low around 61. Light and variable wind.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Tuesday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday

Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.