Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect, Strong Wind, Hail, Flooding Rain Possible

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Saturday afternoon, meaning conditions are right for severe storms that could include damaging wind and hail.

The watch was issued by the National Weather Service at 1:25 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. on Saturday.

The watch covers a large portion of southern and central New England, including greater Boston, the North Shore, South Shore, Metro West, central Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Specifically, in Massachusetts it covers 10 counties, including Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.

In New Hampshire, it includes two counties, including Hillsborough County. In Rhode Island, it includes five counties, including Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington counties.

A severe thunderstorm watch means that the potential exists for the development of thunderstorms which may produce large hail or damaging winds, according to the national Weather Service, and people “should go about your normal activities, but keep an eye to the sky.”

It is less than a severe thunderstorm warning, which means that a severe thunderstorm is occurring or is imminent, according to the weather service.

A severe storm could include strong wind gusts, “moderate” size hail, frequent lightning and “an isolated weak tornado.” Anyone who is outdoors on Saturday afternoon and evening should be ‘prepared to seek shelter quickly.”

There is also the possibility for flash flooding with any thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and evening. A cold front moving through the area is the culprit when it comes to the storms,

“Some of these thunderstorms could be slow moving and produce very heavy rainfall over a short period of time,” the weather service said in a statement on Saturday morning. “This has the possibility of leading to localized flash flooding, particularly if it occurs over an urban area where drainage is poor.”