Heavy Rain Forecast To Ease MA's Drought

BOSTON — Potentially heavy storms to start the week Monday will provide Massachusetts residents with a little relief following a hot weekend and ongoing drought conditions.

A cold front will come sweeping in Monday, bringing humidity and potentially heavy rainfall to start the week.

Monday's storms could help the Bay State, as most of Massachusetts is now in a significant drought, with state officials suggesting that residents limit outdoor water use.

Read more: Most Of Massachusetts Now In 'Significant Drought'

State officials say the drought is due to lower rainfall over the past three months. In May, the greater Boston area got about 1.32 inches of rainfall compared to the normal level of 3.25 inches, according to the National Weather Service. April saw 2.32 inches compared to the normal amount of 3.63 inches.

Boston hit 90 degrees for the first time all year on Sunday, almost a full month after Boston hit 90 degrees for the first time last year, June 1.

Showers early Monday morning helped cool down some areas, and more storms are expected to sweep into Worcester County and northern Massachusetts before noon, according to AccuWeather.

Some areas further north are expected to see storms, downpours, and potentially minor flooding in the afternoon, but most areas will see only about a quarter of an inch to half an inch. June will still wrap up about with lower than average rainfall.

A cold front Tuesday is expected to lower the humidity, making it slightly cooler with highs in the low 80s.

Here's what the rest of the week is expected to look like, according to AccuWeather:

Monday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, with storms and possibly thunderstorms between noon and 3 p.m., with a higher chance of thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could bring heavy rainfall. Monday's high will remain near 80 unless you're near the coast. Chance of precipitation is at 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night

Monday night will likely continue with storms before 10 p.m., but the rain could be heavy at times. Chance of precipitation after midnight lowers to 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 80. Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with humidity dropping significantly and a low around 60.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 83, Wednesday night is expected to bring isolated showers before midnight. It should be partly cloudy with a low around 65 and a chance of precipitation around 20 percent.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 85. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Friday night should be mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.