MA Storm Forecast: 60 Mph Winds, 5 Inches Rain Expected In Some Parts Of State

As much as 5 inches of rain and up to 60 mph winds are expected to batter the Massachusetts coastline overnight and through the beginning of the week as a nor’easter makes its way toward the state, according to authorities.

“The brunt of the wind and rain impacts from this coastal storm will be felt tonight into Monday, although potential for heavy rain will linger into Mon night across eastern MA,” according to a forecast discussion Sunday afternoon from the National Weather Service.

The heaviest rainfall was expected across the eastern part of the state, where the forecast was 2-3 inches through Tuesday with 4-5 inches possible locally, the weather service reported. There was a 30 percent probability of a three-hour rainfall total of 1 inch or more on Monday afternoon in eastern Massachusetts, and that probability was expected to be as high as 70 percent on Monday night across the southeastern coast, cape and islands.

Winds were anticipated to be at their strongest Sunday night into Monday morning over the cape and islands, with gusts reaching as high as 60 mph across the islands and up to 50 mph over the cape, according to the weather service. Tree damage and power outages were possible.

As of Sunday afternoon, parts or all of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Plymouth and Barnstable counties were under a coastal flood advisory until 6 p.m. Sunday, although flooding was not expected to be severe.

“Since the rainfall will be spread out over 48+ hours, significant flooding impacts are not expected, although some minor poor drainage street flooding is possible,” according to the forecast discussion.

While the weather was not expected to cause major problems on the roads, it was affecting air travelers Sunday afternoon at Boston Logan International Airport, where the average departure was delayed 86 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.