High Surf Alert, Ferries Canceled After Nearly 12 Inches Of Rain In MA

MASSACHUSETTS — Ferry services were canceled and a High Surf Advisory remained in effect for most of coastal Massachusetts in the wake of a weekend ocean storm that dropped nearly a foot of rain on parts of Cape Cod.

The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Advisory for much of the North Shore, South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod through 8 p.m. on Monday. Large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet in the surf zone were expected.

Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion were possible, according to the NWS.

"Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions," the NWS said.

The rough seas forced the cancellation of Salem Ferry service on Monday and Hy-Line Cruises canceled all Martha's Vineyard ferry service and all inter-island ferry service for the day. Salem officials said additional cancellations may be necessary on Tuesday.

The Cape was inundated with rain over the weekend with nearly a foot falling in some parts of the region.

According to the NWS, West Chatham reported 11.69 inches of rain, with Chatham at 8.9 inches, 8.28 inches in Brewster, 8.1 inches in Dennis, 7.87 inches in Harwich, 7.02 inches in Dennis, 6.65 inches in Eastham and 6.07 inches in Harwich.

On the South Shore, 4.31 inches of rain was reported in Plymouth and 4.21 inches was reported in Duxbury.

Monday was forecast to be a much drier day for most with a chance of sprinkles throughout the day and sunnier skies away from the coast. High temperatures will continue to be cool in the 60s.

A brisk easterly wind will persist on Tuesday and Wednesday with mostly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 60s.

The next chance for rain is Thursday with a 40 percent chance of showers.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)