Thunderstorms could bring heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds in Massachusetts Friday
By Terry Eliasen, WBZ-TV Meteorologist, Executive Weather Producer
BOSTON - The WBZ-TV Weather team is issuing a NEXT Weather Alert for thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening.
We have a very warm and somewhat humid airmass in place. As a cold front starts to slide down from northern New England this afternoon, we will notice clouds building and showers and storms popping. This could start as early as 1 p.m. and, by later this afternoon, I would expect the radar to be lit up with numerous downpours and thunderstorms.
Notice that most of the action should be west of Route 95 and, perhaps, even west of Route 495. Therefore, I am slightly more confident and optimistic that graduations and ball games in eastern and southeastern Massachusetts will stay dry Friday evening as opposed to those to the northwest.
Later this evening, after sunset, we could see some action popping in northeast Mass., perhaps closing in on Boston and Fenway Park mid-to-late game.
Any storms that do form could contain very heavy downpours, leading to some localized flooding. There may also be frequent lightning and brief, gusty winds.
Then we come to the weekend.
Saturday is the more predictable day of the two. Most of the day will be cloudy and chilly and there will be a few light showers or sprinkles around the area. Not expecting any heavy or long-lasting rainfall.
Sunday is much trickier. Models have been waffling on the placement and movement of an ocean storm. If it stays far enough out to sea, we stay mainly cloudy, cool and essentially dry. If it retrogrades a bit farther west, we could have a soaker of a Sunday. At this time Thursday I would have said things were trending towards the drier solution, but 24 hours later, I am not so sure.
I hate to say it, but if you have outdoor plans, you are going to have to stay tuned.
