Tropical Storm Isaias: Massachusetts Under Tornado Watch

A tornado watch has been issued for most of Massachusetts as Tropical Storm Isaias readies to move past Southern New England.

The tornado watch, which covers every county east of the Berkshires, will be in effect until 9 pm.

The National Weather Service early Tuesday morning said there is "greater potential of a few tornadoes" in the region.

The midday forecast has Isaias tracking west, but tropical storm-force winds could still arrive in the late afternoon. Gusts may blow up to 60 miles per hour. Power outages and storm damage are possible.

Despite the heavy winds, Isaias may not bring as much rain as initially expected to the central and eastern parts of the state. The rain will primarily be in western Massachusetts, but there is the possibility of surge flooding along the state's south coast.

Isaias had started moving north as a hurricane, but after making landfall with wind gusts of 85 mph in North Carolina, it weakened back to a tropical storm.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Today - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Windy, with a south wind 24 to 29 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Light and variable wind.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind.

Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Light and variable wind.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Light and variable wind.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 3 to 5 mph.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.