Thunderstorms, A Few Of Which May Be Strong To Severe, Are Expected This Afternoon Into This Evening

For This Afternoon & This Evening: Partly sunny, but with hazy smoky skies are expected throughout this afternoon. The combination of the very humid conditions, temperatures around 85 Degrees, moderate amounts of unstable air and forcing and energy from an approaching frontal system will lead to the development of scattered thunderstorms by early afternoon across Western Mass with these thunderstorms spreading into Central Mass by mid to late afternoon. There is the possibility that a few of the thunderstorms could be on the strong to severe side with wind gusts of 50-60 mph and penny to quarter size hail. I want to emphasize though that I’m not expecting a widespread severe weather event, but instead a couple to a few of the thunderstorms being on the strong to perhaps severe side. In addition to this, the very humid environment will help to wring out a lot of water from the thunderstorms. Because of this, heavy downpours are likely with thunderstorms with at least 1 to 2 inch per hour rainfall rates. Given that rivers and streams are running very high already, any additional rainfall will lead to a flood threat. Also, flash flooding of highways, streets, underpasses and poor drainage areas is likely given the extremely saturated ground conditions. Finally, frequent lightning is likely with any thunderstorms this afternoon and this evening. Thunderstorms, a few of which will be strong to severe, will persist through this evening before ending by midnight. Wednesday: Hazy, smoky skies are expected for Wednesday. There’s the possibility for a couple of showers and thunderstorms around late afternoon across areas south of the Mass Pike. At this point, it appears that areas near and north of the Mass Pike should remain dry during Wednesday. High temperatures will be near 85 Degrees. Winds will be West at 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: Partly sunny skies are expected for Thursday. While a majority of the region should stay dry on Thursday, there’s the possibility for a stray hit or miss shower or thunderstorm during the late afternoon hours. High temperatures will be North at 5 to 10 mph in the morning and Southeast at 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Friday: Warm and very humid conditions are expected on Friday. In addition, yet another frontal system will make its way across the region leading to another round of showers and thunderstorms during the day on Friday. Heavy downpours with yet another flash flood threat looks to be the main threat with any thunderstorms. That said, a couple of the storms could be on the strong side with gusty winds and small hail possible. High temperatures will be near 80 Degrees. This Weekend: Saturday looks to feature partly sunny skies and there could be an isolated shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon. I do think that most areas should stay dry though on Saturday. High temperatures will be near 85 Degrees. Sunday looks to be the nicer of the two days this coming weekend with partly sunny skies expected along with somewhat less humid conditions. High temperatures will be near 85 Degrees.