Heavy Rain With More Flooding Is Expected This Afternoon Through Tonight Across Western & Central Mass

An area of low pressure now located near the New Jersey coast will move northeastward and cross Southern New England during tonight before heading through the Gulf of Maine during Saturday. This storm system is expected to bring another round of heavy rain to the entire area this afternoon through tonight.

Rain will overspread the rest of Western Mass over the next couple of hours and by midday it will be raining everywhere across Western Mass. Across Central Mass, rain is expected to begin around midday to 1 pm or so.

The rain is then expected across all of Western and Central Mass throughout this afternoon and the rain will be heavy at times. A few embedded thunderstorms are also expected this afternoon, which will enhance the intensity of the rain that occurs.

Rain, heavy at times, along with a few thunderstorms will continue throughout this evening. This rain will taper off to scattered showers by midnight with the scattered showers continuing throughout the after midnight hours of tonight.

Total rainfall amounts with this latest round of rainfall will average between 1 and 2 inches across the entire area. Local amounts of up to 3 inches are a distinct possibility in the Berkshires and across the Worcester Hills where an upslope flow will enhance the amount of rain that occurs.

As for the expected flooding – Minor to moderate amounts of river and stream flooding is expected across the entire area & in fact, the Connecticut River is likely to go into minor to moderate flood stage in many areas, especially from Hartford to Springfield.

The heavy rainfall is also expected to coincide with the afternoon and evening commute leading to the likelihood of delays and slow going due to street and highway flooding and reduced visibility. Use extreme caution this afternoon and tonight and be alert for the potential of partially or completely washed out roads, especially in areas of the Worcester Hills that already received the 3 to 5 inches of rain yesterday afternoon and evening.

I will be monitoring the heavy rain and reports of flooding and will have updates as needed.