Storm threat expands across western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts is under a Weather Alert this Friday, with strong to severe thunderstorms expected throughout the afternoon and evening hours. According to meteorologists Brian Lapis and Chris Bouzakis of WWLP-22News, a Flood Watch will be in effect for the entire region starting at noon on Friday and lasting until midnight on Saturday.
Morning conditions and first wave of showers
Temperatures on Friday morning, around 7:00 a.m., will range from the low 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (approximately 16°C to 22°C). Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible during the early hours, although these are expected to remain localized and less intense compared to the storms forecast for the afternoon.
Afternoon danger window: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The primary threat window for severe weather stretches from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday. During this timeframe, the region may experience heavy rainfall, flash and stream flooding, frequent lightning, and damaging wind gusts. High temperatures are forecast to climb into the low to mid-80s Fahrenheit (about 28°C to 30°C), further energizing storm development.
Lingering rain into Saturday
Even after the main storm system moves through, showers will likely persist into Saturday, potentially impacting parts of western Massachusetts through the first half of the weekend.
Stay updated through the WWLP-22News Digital Edition, which airs weekdays at 4:00 p.m. on WWLP.com, for the latest local weather updates and storm developments.
