Weather
40+ MA Beaches Closed Ahead Of Warm Summer Weekend: See Latest Forecast
This week's heavy rain contributed to a rash of new beach closures across the state.
Another midweek heavy rain event could put a damper on weekend beach plans across Massachusetts despite a mostly sunny and warm summer forecast.
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.
More than 40 beaches were reported closed across the state as of Friday morning after much of the Bay State got more than an inch of rain on Wednesday and Thursday — with up to 6 inches of rain in Worcester and other parts of Central Massachusetts.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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.
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.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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:
- Amherst Puffers Pond Mill Street
- Amherst Puffers Pond State Street
- Ashby Damon Pond
- Ashland Hopkinton Reservoir
- Barnstable Keyes Beach
- Beverly Mingo
- Boston Constitution Beach Middle
- Boston Constitution Beach North
- Boston Constitution Beach Rec Center
- Chatham Bucks Creek
- Chicopee Beach
- Dartmouth Hidden Bay
- Dartmouth Jones Town Beach North
- Dartmouth Jones Town Beach South
- Holden Eagle Lake
- Lynn Kings Beach Eastern
- Lynn Kings Beach Kimball
- Lynn Kings Beach Pierce
- Marblehead Grace Oliver Beach
- Middleborough Camp Yomechas
- Oxford Carbuncle Pond
- Plymouth Fearings Pond
- Quincy Wollaston Channing Street
- Quincy Wollaston Milton Street
- Quincy Wollaston Rice Road
- Quincy Wollaston Sachem Street
- Rutland Whitehall Pond Beach
- Salem Children's Island Back
- Salem Children's Island Wally
- Salem Ocean Avenue
- Salem Osgood
- Saugus Peckham Pond
- Swampscott Kings Beach
- Taunton Watsons Pond
- Tisbury Owen Little Way
- Tisbury Tashmoo Beach
- Tisbury Tashmoo Cut
- West Stockbridge Card Pond Beach
- Winthrop Donovan's Beach
- Winthrop Pico Beach
- Worcester Coes Pond Beach
See Latest Forecast (National Weather Service):
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Saturday
Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 6 mph.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 6 to 11 mph.
Sunday Night
A chance of showers, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday
Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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