Parts of Massachusetts issued Tornado Watch as storm threat continues for southern New England

There is still a risk of severe weather in the area Friday as a watch has been issued.

According to the National Weather Service, a Tornado Watch has been issued for western & central Massachusetts until 10:00pm. Straight-line wind continues to be the biggest threat for today, but, we can’t rule out a brief tornado

Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop between 3 PM and 4 PM this afternoon in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut, which will spread eastward into Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts through about 7 PM. These may produce locally damaging winds, large hail, and torrential rain, with a low risk of a tornado. Many locations will remain dry.

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to move into western and northern Massachusetts around 7 PM, then racing southeastward across the rest of the region by 10 PM, as it gradually weakens. The main threats with these storms will be damaging wind gusts and possibly an isolated tornado. The greatest potential for severe conditions will be in northern and western Massachusetts.