MA Weather: 'Damaging' 50-70 MPH Winds On Deck

The wind will be a major issue throughout Friday as wind gusts of between 50-70 miles per hour are expected across parts of Central and Eastern Massachusetts. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory and high wind warning in advance of "potentially damaging winds this afternoon into evening."

The strongest winds will be between 4-8 p.m. The hardest gusts of 65-70 mph will be on the Cape and along the coast, while Boston be in the 45-50 mph range. Even as far in as Worcester will see gusts of at least 40 mph.

Power outages are possible as gusts threaten soggy tree limbs and power lines.

Before the wind picks up, freezing rain rain will linger across the state. A dusting of snow and thin layer of ice is expected west of I-495.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Today - Rain, mainly before 2pm. High near 48. Breezy, with a light and variable wind becoming west 19 to 24 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight - Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 21. Breezy, with a west wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Light and variable wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night - A chance of snow, mainly after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday - A chance of snow before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow between 9am and 10am, then a chance of rain after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Tuesday - A chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night - A chance of rain and snow before 11pm, then a chance of snow between 11pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday - Partly sunny, with a high near 41. West wind around 9 mph.

Wednesday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday - A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%