A flood watch has been issued for some parts of Massachusetts late Thursday night as heavy rain approaches to finish off the week.
Thursday will start off dry and warm, with temperatures reaching the low to mid 70s across the state, according to the National Weather Service.
Periods of sunshine are expected throughout the day, though skies could end up partly to mostly cloudy after sunrise. Winds should be light and variable, with some coastal areas experiencing sea breezes by mid-morning.
But by Thursday night, heavy rains and thunderstorms are on track to return.
A flood watch has been issued by the Weather Service for counties in Western and Central Massachusetts, starting late Thursday night and continuing until Saturday morning.
The “widespread” rainfall is projected to start in Western Massachusetts on Thursday afternoon and move eastward. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible during that time, forecasters warned.
Precipitation levels will turn “moderate to heavy” in the evening as warm air moves in, though “steadier” rainfall may not hit Eastern Massachusetts until later in the day on Friday.
Temperatures are expected to fall into the 40s and 50s overnight on Thursday, forecasters said.
The “soaking rain” should continue across the state throughout the daytime on Friday. This could bring up to two inches of rain to Western Massachusetts, while eastern parts of the state may receive less than an inch.
While “not a flash flood scenario,” forecasters are concerned the precipitation could result in flooding at rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Temperature highs may only reach the 50s on Friday and could be even lower in the 40s across northern parts of the state, forecasters said.
The rain should taper off statewide on Saturday, with some lingering showers in the morning until a gradual dry-out in the afternoon. Temperatures will remain below normal, forecasters said.
