Hazy, hot, humid day may end in thunderstorms, downpours

Thunderstorms could rattle Eastern Massachusetts tonight, bringing the potential for localized heavy downpours, the National Weather Service said.

The storms “should be reaching the northwest suburbs of the Greater Boston Area somewhere between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.,” said Alan Dunham, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

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Heavy downpours brought by the thunderstorms will be localized, not widespread, Dunham said. “You could have heavy rain on one street, and a quarter mile away, very light rain,” he said. Localized flash flooding from poor drainage in urban areas is possible, Dunham said.

Gusty winds and hail are possible along with heavy rains mainly north and west of I-495, Dunham said.

Until this evening, today will be “hazy, hot, and humid,” Dunham said. Skies should remain clear until late afternoon, with high temperatures climbing into the low 90s.

Showers will likely continue overnight and through noon in the east on Thursday, Dunham said, though they may end by Thursday morning in Western Massachusetts. A threat of thunderstorms will continue through the morning, becoming less likely as the rain moves out in the afternoon.

Clouds will likely persist throughout the day, and temperatures will drop significantly — by up to 20 degrees, Dunham said, with high temperatures only reaching the mid-70s.

“Friday’s looking just wonderful,” Dunham said, with clear skies, less humidity and high temperatures in the upper 70s. Saturday will be similar, though a little warmer.

By Sunday, showers are a possibility, though they will become more likely by the beginning of next week.

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