Two rounds of severe storms are expected to impact Massachusetts Saturday afternoon and evening, with the greatest threat for damaging winds and possible tornadoes focused on western and central parts of the state, including the Springfield area and the Berkshires.
An Air Quality Alert is also in effect through midnight tonight for smoke and haze affecting the entire state.
The first round of showers and storms is expected to move through between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., bringing torrential downpours capable of street flooding, particularly in urban areas south of the Massachusetts Turnpike. Wind shear values will be notably strong, with the atmosphere showing conditions favorable for damaging straight-line winds and a low but real chance of a tornado or two, with that tornado risk highest across Western and Central Massachusetts…