Thunderstorms, Some Of Which Will Be Strong To Severe, Are Expected This Afternoon & This Evening

A warm front will be positioned over the region this afternoon as a cold front pushes its way eastward. Warm, humid air across the region will combine with the forcing and shear associated with the warm front to produce the potential for at least a couple of rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and this evening. The first round of thunderstorms seems to be forming over far western Mass as I write this and these storms will push their way slowly across the rest of Western and Central Mass during this afternoon. Some of the stronger storms will be capable of producing 45 to 65 mph wind gusts, penny size hail, frequent lightning and torrential downpours. Additionally, these storms moving in the vicinity of the warm front will cause them to potentially rotate leading to an isolated tornado threat this afternoon. A second round of thunderstorms associated with the actual cold front is expected during this evening. Very gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning and torrential downpours will accompany these storms as they push through. Finally, there will be some risk for flash flooding of streets, highways, underpasses and areas of poor drainage due to these storms producing 1 to 2 inch per hour rainfall rates in areas they affect. I will be monitoring this afternoon and evening’s thunderstorm threat closely and will have updates as needed.