Weather
MA Weather: Severe Thunderstorms, Tornado Risks Threaten Friday
Your weekend is about to get very wet as early as this afternoon.
Enjoy this lovely Friday morning while you can. Forecasters are warning of the potential for severe afternoon thunderstorms with strong winds, localized flooding, and even the risk of a returning tornado.
The strongest of the storms are expected between 2-11 p.m., the National Weather Service said. The worst of it will be west of Boston, but a hazardous weather outlook has been put into effect for the whole state. The storms will come back Saturday and stick around into Sunday, washing out much of the weekend. The rain is expected to swing back through midweek.
"There is a chance the thunderstorms will be more robust than the garden variety summer storm and may occur on a more regional basis into Friday night," AccuWeather said.
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There is a low risk of an isolated tornado in Western and Central Mass. Friday, and it isn't to be dismissed out of hand. Tornadoes are usually rare in Massachusetts, but three have already touched down this summer. In late July, two ripped through the small towns of Douglas and Upton. Just weeks later, a damaging tornado wreaked havoc across Webster and Dudley.
Week forecast around Boston
Friday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Increasing clouds, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Find out what's happening in Bedfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Friday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 82. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday - A chance of showers, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday - A chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Tuesday night - A chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Image via shutterstock
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