Severe Thunderstorms, Wind Gusts and Hail Possible Today

UPDATE 3:15 P.M.: The National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded the severe thunderstorm watch to a warning for Middlesex county until 4:15 p.m.

The NWS said in the warning statement that the thunderstorms could produce "deadly lightning" and torrential rain.

"Get to safe shelter now, inside a sturdy building or in a vehicle," the statement said. "Do not seek shelter under trees. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Drivers should be alert for ponding of water and avoid flooded roads."

Original article below:

Potentially severe thunderstorms producing damaging wind gusts and hail will pass through the greater Boston area around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned earlier this afternoon.

The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm watch shortly before 2 p.m. for eastern Massachusetts, citing a line of strong thunderstorms moving southeast at 35 miles per hour and extending from the Massachusetts-Vermont border to Manchester and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The NWS said the thunderstorm line will reach the Route 2 corridor in northern Mass by 2:30 p.m. and Worcester and Boston around 3 p.m.

Along with strong wind gusts and the potential for large hail, the thunderstorms could bring frequent lightning and torrential rainfall.

"For your safety, get inside when these storms approach," the NWS statement said. "Heavy rain may cause minor street flooding and ponding of water in low lying areas such as underpasses. Do not drive through flooded roads."

In Stoneham, Montvale Avenue is particularly prone to flooding and trapping cars in stormwater.

The severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. for most of Massachusetts and southwest New Hampshire.

Important Information

Here are some phone numbers you will want to know in case an emergency crops up amid the storm:

List of town departments

• Police/fire emergencies: 911
• : 781-438-1215
• : 781-438-0127
• Stoneham Department of Public Works: 438-0760
• National Grid power outages : 800-465-1212
• National Grid gas emergencies: 800-233-5325
• Comcast : 800-266-2278
• Verizon : 800-837-4966 (VERIZON)

List of cab companies:

• Taxi Time: 781-662-0300 ‎
• Malden Taxi: 781-322-5050 and 781-324-5050
• Malden Cab Company: 781-322-5050 
• Oak Grove Cab: 781-665-5050 ‎
• Stoneham Taxi: 781-279-2828
• Tan Taxi: 781-395-6666

List of tow companies:

• Stephen's Autobody: 781-665-7828
• Andy's Service Center (Malden): 781-324-7505
• Culleton Brothers (Malden): 781-322-4665
• Kearney's Towing (Stoneham): 781-438-8484
• Stoneham Towing Inc.: 781-438-3500
• Phil Howe's Towing (Wakefield): 781-245-2468
• Advanced Auto Transport (Wakefield): 781-246-5831