Thunderstorms, Hail, 60 MPH Wind Gusts In Forecast

An afternoon spike in heat and humidity Wednesday may lead to severe thunderstorms and hail across Massachusetts.

The National Weather Service said everything from showers to "scattered strong to severe thunderstorms" could pop up all around southern New England. Western and northern Massachusetts are at the highest risk. Forecasts are calling for the storms between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.

No weather advisories or warnings have been posted as of 7:30 a.m.

Localized flooding and large hail of up to an inch in diameter are among the concerns. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph will threaten tree limbs and power lines.

The storms will come after temperatures reach as high as 90 degrees in some communities.

Showers and/or thunderstorms are in the forecast for each of the five days. The next totally dry day appears to be Monday, which will be mostly sunny, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Today - Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 11pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night - Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then showers likely between 2am and 3am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday - Showers likely before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 4pm, then showers likely after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday - A chance of showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Light southwest wind.

Tuesday - A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.