Some Strong To Possibly Severe Thunderstorms Are Expected From 3-4 pm This Afternoon Until Just After Midnight Tonight Across Western & Central Mass

It appears that a few strong to possibly severe thunderstorms will be a threat across the entire area beginning about 3-4 pm this afternoon and continuing until just after midnight tonight.

A warm and humid southwesterly wind flow will continue to affect the region through this afternoon. This will lead to afternoon temperatures to reach between 80 and 85 Degrees along with dew point temperatures in the lower 60s.

This warm and humid air mass will produce an unstable atmosphere across the region. This, combined, with forcing and energy from a frontal boundary nearby will lead to favorable conditions for a few strong to possibly severe thunderstorms to develop by mid-afternoon.

I do think that we’re looking at two rounds of thunderstorms -

The first round of thunderstorms are expected to develop first across Western Mass by about 3-4 pm this afternoon and then these thunderstorms will gradually make their way into Central Mass by about 5 pm. This first round of thunderstorms, some of which will be strong to possibly severe, will continue until about 7 pm across Western Mass and until about 8-9 pm across Central Mass. The main threats from any strong or severe thunderstorms will be very gusty winds with wind gusts of up to 45-60 mph and torrential downpours with a threat for urban & street flooding. Also, frequent lightning will be a threat with the stronger storms.

A second round of thunderstorms, a few of which might be strong to possibly severe, are expected to first push into Western Mass by about 11 pm this evening and then move into Central Mass about midnight. This second round of thunderstorms will continue until about 2-3 am across the entire area. The main threat from any strong or severe thunderstorms with the second round of storms will be very gusty winds with wind gusts of up to 40-55 mph and torrential downpours with a threat of urban & street flooding. Also, frequent lightning will be a threat with the stronger storms.

It goes without saying that I will be keeping a very close eye on the thunderstorm threat & will have more updates for you as needed.