Weather
Tornado Watch In MA: Parts Of State On Alert As Debby Arrives
A couple of tornadoes are possible, along with hail and high wind gusts, according to the National Weather Service.
![The western half of Massachusetts is under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Friday.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/22906546/20240809/013747/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-724465213___09133122656.jpg)
MASSACHUSETTS — The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Friday afternoon for western portions of the state ahead of former tropical storm Debby's arrival in the state.
The tornado watch — which means residents should be aware that one is possible — covers all of Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties, and will be in effect through 10 p.m. Friday. The watch also covers a wider region that includes all of Connecticut west of Hartford, southwestern Vermont and the New York City area.
On top of tornadoes, thunderstorms on Friday could also produce hail, heavy rain and wind gusts up to 65 mph.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Forecasters had been concerned about Debby helping to create conditions ripe for tornado formation as the storm rotates through the Northeast. Debby spurred eight tornadoes between North Carolina and Delaware on Thursday.
Much of eastern Massachusetts is expected only to see rain, possibly heavy at times, through Saturday morning.
Find out what's happening in Across Massachusettswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.