Heavy Rain, Strong Winds to Hit at Peak of A.M. Commute

Heavy rain will fall during the peak of the Wednesday morning commute, according to the National Weather Service, with the possibility for strong and severe thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts in Beverly.

There is also a “low probability of an isolated tornado,” the weather service said.

“The primary time of concern is between 2 and 10 a.m. and particularly between 4 and 8 a.m.,” said the special weather statement issued by the weather service just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Showers and thunderstorms will move into western New England after midnight and make its way to eastern Massachusetts and the North Shore by the early morning hours on Wednesday.

“Brief heavy rain may result in some poor drainage street flooding during the Wednesday morning rush hour, so allow extra time to reach your destination,” the weather service statement said. “A few strong to severe thunderstorms are also possible with localized damaging wind gusts.”

The highest risk for severe weather is in eastern Massachusetts, including Beverly, plus Connecticut and Rhode Island.

“Downed branches and perhaps some downed power lines are possible as trees are still fully leaved,” the weather service said.