Cape Cod National Seashore & Outer Cape, MA

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Sunset on Cape Cod Bay
Sunset on Cape Cod Bay - PapaDunes, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

🌧
48°F
High: 49° | Low: 46°
Current Temperature
Rain and Fog/Mist
Station: KCQX
Observed at: 6:45 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 16 mph | Humidity: 93%
⚠️
Coastal Flood Statement
Coastal Flood Statement issued November 12 at 2:08PM EST until November 13 at 6:00PM EST by NWS Boston/Norton MA (Expires: November 13, 2026 5:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways (3.2 to 11.6 feet Mean Lower Low Water). * WHERE...Barnstable MA and Nantucket MA Counties. * WHEN...Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Roads remain passable. Low lying areas and roads near Nantucket Harbor, including Easy Street, may experience pockets of shallow flooding less than one foot deep. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Splashover and very minor coastal flooding are possible during the Friday afternoon high tide along north facing beaches on Cape Cod Bay as well as Nantucket sound. No significant impacts are expected and any splashover/very minor coastal flooding will be quite short-lived, no more than an hour on either side of high tide. Instructions: Do not drive through flooded roadways.
Tonight:Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday:Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Northeast wind 21 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night:A chance of rain before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 16 to 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Use Caution
  43 /100

Use Caution for hiking. High near 51°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Breezy winds (24 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 79/100
Good for hiking. High near 45°F. Low rain risk (26%). Light wind (15 mph).

🚲 Biking

Use Caution
  39 /100

Use Caution for biking. High near 51°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Breezy winds (24 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Fair 61/100
Fair for biking. High near 45°F. Risk of rain (26%). Breezy winds (15 mph).

🐟 Fishing

Use Caution
  38 /100

Use Caution for fishing. High near 51°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Windy conditions (24 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 43/100
Use Caution for fishing. High near 45°F. Low rain risk (26%). Breezy winds (15 mph).

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Use Caution
  37 /100

Use Caution for outdoor events / activities. High near 51°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Breezy winds (24 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for outdoor events / activities. High near 45°F. Risk of rain (26%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (45°F).

About Cape Cod National Seashore & Outer Cape

The representative forecast point covers the main visitor approach, but conditions can differ across water, shorelines, forest interiors, distant access points. Important decisions involve Atlantic surf, rip currents, beach and dune closures, biking wind, fog, cold water and ranger programs.

Planning an Outing at Cape Cod National Seashore & Outer Cape

Check the exact trail, route, fishing access, event notice that applies to the chosen activity. The observation near Eastham should not be treated as proof of conditions across the entire coverage area.

Weather Tips for Cape Cod National Seashore & Outer Cape

  • The National Park Service does not operate campgrounds at the national seashore. Nearby state and private campgrounds are alternatives; limited permitted self-contained-vehicle use at Race Point is not general campground access.
  • Leave open water, shorelines, exposed event areas when thunder is heard.
  • Check wind, visibility, access and seasonal operations shortly before departure.
  • Carry layers, sun protection and enough water for humidity, wind and rapid temperature changes.
  • Follow official closures, wildlife restrictions and emergency instructions.

Nearby Towns and Areas

Use this forecast as practical context for plans near:

  • Eastham
  • Wellfleet
  • Truro
  • Nauset
  • Race Point
  • Herring Cove

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

Replace an Atlantic beach day with a sheltered bayside or inland trail when surf and wind rise; nearby state or private campgrounds are alternatives, not national-seashore campgrounds.

7-Day Forecast for Cape Cod National Seashore & Outer Cape

🌧
48°F
High: 49° | Low: 46°
Current Temperature
Rain and Fog/Mist
Station: KCQX
Observed at: 6:45 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 16 mph | Humidity: 93%
Fri 🌧
51° 42°
76%
Sat 🌧
46° 41°
26%
Sun 🌧
50° 42°
22%
Mon ⛅
50° 41°
3%
Tue ☀
51° 44°
0%
Wed ☀
54° 47°
0%
Thu ☀
55° --°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

51° Fri 46° Sat 50° Sun 50° Mon 51° Tue 54° Wed 55° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

42° Fri 41° Sat 42° Sun 41° Mon 44° Tue 47° Wed 50° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 42 Fri 20 Sat 70 Sun 70 Mon 75 Tue 90 Wed 100 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 12, 2026 9:19 pm CST

Cape Cod National Seashore & Outer Cape Weather by Season

Winter

Most facilities and programs are reduced while nor’easters reshape beaches and create severe wind chill.

Spring

Fog and cold ocean water persist as bike paths and ranger schedules resume.

Summer

Rip currents, lightning, dune heat and wildlife closures require beach-specific decisions rather than one Cape forecast.

Fall

Warm water overlaps with tropical swell and early nor’easters before visitor services taper.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Local climate: Outer Cape marine climate; annual mean temperature about 51–53°F; roughly 44–47 inches precipitation; around 20–30 inches snow; Atlantic water remains cold well into summer.
  • Warmest period: August is generally warmest, while cold Atlantic water, fog and sea breeze frequently suppress early-summer heat.
  • Coolest period: January is coldest; open dunes and beaches experience severe wind exposure even when snowfall is limited.
  • Primary storm or hazard season: Rip currents, tropical swell, dune erosion and nor’easters are the primary weather hazards, alongside seasonal wildlife closures.
  • Best general outdoor window: Late June through September offers the fullest program schedule, but safe beach choice still depends on daily surf and fog.