Thunderstorms This Evening Through Independence Day Will Produce The Threat For Flash Flooding

Flood Threat From More Thunderstorms This Evening Through Independence Day: The combination of the heavy rainfall amounts that we’ve already seen lately and additional heavy rain from thunderstorms starting this evening and continuing through Tuesday will lead to the threat for flash flooding across the region. I do want to emphasize though that it’s not going to be raining all the time tonight or on Independence Day and that there will be periods of drier weather in-between rounds of thunderstorms. That said, multiple rounds of thunderstorms will produce not only torrential downpours, but also frequent lightning and gusty winds are expected from this evening through the overnight hours of tonight and through much of the day on Independence Day. It appears that there will be two rounds of thunderstorms that we’re going to have to keep a close eye on for a flash flood threat - The First Is From This Evening Through The Overnight Hours Of Tonight: The main threat area for thunderstorms with the threat for flash flooding will be across areas near and especially south of the Mass Pike. A lesser threat for flooding is anticipated for areas north of the Mass Pike. One thing of particular concern is that thunderstorms that develop near and south of the Mass Pike may re-develop over the same areas leading to the potential for a lot of rainfall and the threat for flash flooding. The Second Time Period I’m Watching Is From About Midday Tuesday Through Tuesday Afternoon: The thunderstorm and flash flood threat Tuesday afternoon will encompass all of Western and Central Mass as a frontal system pushes southward leading to thunderstorms moving from northwest to southeast at a fairly slow forward speed. Forecast rain totals over the next 36 hours could amount to up to 1 inch of additional rainfall for areas north of the Mass Pike and 2 to 3 more inches of additional rainfall for areas near and south of the Mass Pike. It should be noted that localized rain totals of up to 5 more inches of rainfall is possible across areas south of the Mass Pike where thunderstorms could be most persistent. Street, highway and poor drainage flooding is likely from the additional heavy rain from thunderstorms this evening through Independence Day. In addition, the runoff from the additional rainfall could lead to rises on the rivers and streams across Western and Central Mass. This is something that’ll need to be watched closely, in case any of the rivers or streams reach flood stage. Turning Back To The Forecast For The Rest Of This Afternoon: A mixture of some sunshine and lots of clouds can be expected throughout the remaining part of this afternoon. I don’t think that we’ll see thunderstorms develop until just before sunset this evening. This means that dry weather is likely the rest of this afternoon. Temperatures will be between 75 and 80 Degrees. Winds will be Northwest at 5 to 10 mph. This Evening: Thunderstorms are expected to develop across areas near and especially south of the Mass Pike between about 6 pm and 8 pm this evening. These storms are expected to produce frequent lightning, very gusty winds and torrential downpours. It’s possible that these storms could reform over the same areas leading to the threat for road, highway and poor drainage flooding. Overnight Hours Of Tonight: Thunderstorms are expected to persist through about midnight before gradually diminishing and ending after midnight tonight. The thunderstorms during the overnight hours of tonight will be capable of producing frequent lightning, gusty winds and torrential downpours. As I mentioned before, the greatest coverage of thunderstorms look to be across areas near and south of the Mass Pike. Low temperatures tonight will be between 65 and 70 Degrees. Winds will be East at 5 to 10 mph before midnight and South at 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Independence Day: Thunderstorms are likely to interfere with any plans you may have on Independence Day. It appears that thunderstorms will form once again across much of the area around midday on Tuesday. Thunderstorms are then expected to continue through the afternoon hours before coming to an end around the 7-9 pm time frame Tuesday evening. A few of the thunderstorms could be strong to severe with very gusty winds the main threat. More importantly though will be the lightning threat from any thunderstorms between midday and 8 pm Tuesday. Frequent lightning is very likely with any of the thunderstorms and those of you spending time outdoors tomorrow should keep a very close eye on the weather. Be ready to take shelter if a thunderstorm is approaching you. Finally, it will be another warm and very humid day with high temperatures between 80 and 85 Degrees. Winds will be Southwest at 5 to 10 mph, which will become Northwest by late in the day. The sun returns with some much drier conditions for both Wednesday and Thursday. Sunny to partly sunny skies are expected on Wednesday with high temperatures between 85 and 90 Degrees. Sunny to partly sunny skies are also expected on Thursday with high temperatures between 85 and 90 Degrees.