The National Weather Service of Boston issued a severe thunderstorm warning Friday afternoon for parts of Worcester, Franklin and Hampshire counties.
The warning, which was in effect until 3:45 p.m., was issued after a thunderstorm was located over Pelham moving east at 15 miles per hour.
The possible hazards included 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail, according to a NWS bulletin, and damage to trees and power lines was expected.
At 3:58 p.m. on Friday, the NWS issued a special weather statement that a strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Worcester, Hampshire and Hampden counties through 5 p.m.
At the time of the bulletin, the storm was 11 miles west of Worcester moving east at 15 miles per hour.
The storm’s hazards include winds in excess of 40 miles per hour and pea size hail, according to the NWS.
The winds could cause minor damaged like downed branches and brief heavy downpours could cause some localized minor street flooding.
The areas that have been impacted include Worcester, Shrewsbury, Grafton, Holden, Webster, Auburn, Oxford, Millbury, Charlton, Palmer, Spencer, Leicester, Ware, Sturbridge, Sutton, Douglas, Rutland, West Boylston, Warren and Paxton.
The NWS advised moving indoors when you hear thunder and not resuming outdoor activities until a least a half an hour after the storm has passed.
In its first bulletin, the NWS said anyone on or near the Quabbin Reservoir should get away from the water and go indoors or into a vehicle.
“Remember, lightning can strike out to 15 miles from the parent thunderstorm,” the NWS bulletin read. “If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now!”
In the bulletin issued at 3:58 p.m, the NWS said not to drive through flooded roads or underpasses and to avoid low lying areas near small streams.
“Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm,” the later bulletin read. “Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. For your safety, go indoors or to your vehicle.”
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