A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for much of Maine as a line of storms develop this afternoon and march through the state. Storms can be expected to last through 7 p.m. tonight and may pack damaging wind gusts and small hail in strong storm cores.
The warmth is expected to bring temperatures to the mid-80s in Boston, a few degrees cooler than yesterday due to more clouds today. Cloudy skies and periods of steady rain can last through the commute home.
Dew points will reach the mid-60s, leaving the air feeling noticeably humid before the cold front moves in.
Timing of rain, thunderstorms
Showers and thunderstorms will push through eastern New England this afternoon and should clear by sunset. Perhaps soon enough to bring the sun back out for about an hour. Storms in Maine may have instances of cloud to ground lightning, small hail, and damaging winds.
The heaviest of rain should stay south and west of the city, with some storms capable of dumping nearly an inch of rain. There have been a handful of local reports of over 1″ in Worcester and Providence from earlier storms, with New Bedford and Norton seeing a couple 2″ totals from the rain today.
The storms should lighten up as they approach Boston and reduce totals to around a quarter to half inch.
Heading into the holiday weekend, Friday looks to be stunning with high pressure slipping into the region and bringing mostly clear skies. Winds shift from the west, returning dry and comfortable air back into the region as Boston settles in the low 80s with dew points in the low 50s.
Our next weather-maker is expected to arrive Sunday afternoon and bring scattered showers that may last through much of Monday.
Thursday’s breakdown
Southern New England: Mostly cloudy skies with a continued southerly flow will help push temps to the low and mid-80s. Otherwise, the air feels muggy ahead of a passing cold front expected to arrive today and bring scattered showers and thunderstorms across the region this afternoon and evening. Storms may bring heavier rainfall the more west you go with some being strong to severe.
Western Mass.: Partly sunny skies will turn to more clouds than sun as the cold front arrives. This may stymie highs a touch in the Berkshires, keeping them to the upper 70s, but readings will still likely get to the mid-80s across Springfield, Northampton and Greenfield. Storms may be a bit more organized this afternoon and bring heavier moments of rain, but totals should stay under an inch. Some storms may become strong to severe, packing gusty winds, small hail, and lightning. Storms should taper off by sunset.
Cape and Islands: Periods of sun and clouds throughout much of the day as the southwesterly breeze keeps the peninsula and islands cooler than the rest of New England. Temperatures will stick to the mid-60s along the immediate coast and near 70 a mile or so inland. Winds will stay between 10 and 15 mph. Showers and a few rumbles of thunder may reach the Cape this afternoon but should remain light.
Northern New England: Hit or miss cloud cover will turn to developing showers and thunderstorms around midday across the northern tier. There will be periods of sun, driving temperatures to the low 80s across all three states. Dew points will be in the mid-60s and will help fuel storms that will last through the early evening. Vermont may luck out and miss out on the main line of storms as conditions are likely for more storms to develop over New Hampshire and Maine.
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Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.