Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued In Worcester County

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. with a round of nasty weather set to move through this area beginning this afternoon.

Forecasters are warning of heavy rain, possible hail, lightning and wind gusts near 70 mph. The thunderstorm watch was issued for a large portion of the region, including Hampden, Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin counties, and parts of New Hampshire and Connecticut.

The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm watches to prepare residents for potentially severe weather, but do not necessarily mean every area included in the watch will get hit.

Forecasts earlier on Friday said the most severe storms could be concentrated in the Connecticut River valley, but will be scattered. Storms may arrive anywhere between 2 and 8 p.m., according to the weather service.

In the Worcester area, forecasts say thunderstorms could roll in around or after 4 p.m., with rain possible until 1 a.m.