Severe Storms With Potentially Damaging Winds Expected Throughout MA

BOSTON — Severe storms are expected to hit most of Massachusetts Thursday afternoon into the evening, and with those storms comes potentially damaging winds coupled with flooding, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

The agency said the storms are expected to hit all of southern New England, but mainly in northwestern Massachusetts from 3 to 11 p.m.

The storms have the potential to become severe with damaging wind gusts, hail, tropical downpours, and power outages. Areas north and west of Boston have the highest risk for those storms, but AccuWeather says Boston and below are expected to see strong early-evening thunderstorms.

"Due to the scattered nature of the storms, not everyone will see severe weather, but storms that do form have the potential to produce damaging winds," a spokesperson from MEMA said Thursday.

Up until the storms, it's supposed to be muggy and humid, with temps lingering in the mid-80s.

The storms could provide some much-needed relief for the Bay State as we work through "severe drought." Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card declared a Level 3-Critical Drought in the Northeast and Central Regions of the state last week, explaining that 43 percent of the state is under severe drought and the rest of the state is in a moderate drought.

Here's what the rest of the week is expected to look like, according to AccuWeather:

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain with the potential for damaging winds. Until then, it should be partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Thursday night there will be a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph. Friday night will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. It should stay mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Saturday night will be clear, with a low around 67.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Sunday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Monday night is expected to be mostly clear, with a low around 70.