Forecasters warn Thursday's evening commute in Massachusetts could be messy as a soaking nor'easter makes its way across the state.

UW-Madison research program director, Chris Vagasky, warns that National Weather Service funding cuts and reduced weather balloon launches could impact accurate storm forecasting nationwide.

Thursday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 51. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Expect unpleasant weather in the second half of this week and pencil in extra time if you are traveling, including from Philadelphia to New York City, Hartford, Providence and Boston.

Forecasters are predicting up to three inches of cold rain and high winds from an incoming nor'easter. Here's when the storm will start.

Meteorologist Frank Nocera, also of the Norton branch of the National Weather Service, told USA Today Network on Tuesday of this week that, "It's looking like a mainly dry weekend," adding that the area could experience more "unseasonably cool" temperatures for the rest of this week.

It might be the middle of spring, but federal forecasters say Utah is on tap for a "whirlwind" next few days with a "winter-like" storm this weekend before a more summer-like warmup next week. The former triggered a winter weather advisory,