The National Weather Service issued a report at 4:19 a.m. on Saturday for thunderstorms until 11 a.m. for Northern Worcester and Southern Worcester as well as Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Middlesex counties.
“A cold front brings potential for scattered severe thunderstorms today to interior southern New England. Thunderstorms may begin to pop-up across eastern New York, along the border with Connecticut and Massachusetts early as 12-2pm. There after is prime time for storms to build develop, between 2-6pm, across the interior of southern New England. Expect thunderstorms to weaken as the line shifts to the I-95 corridor between 7-10pm. Thunderstorms will have the potential to produce straight-line damaging winds, hail, localized flash flooding in urban areas or locations of poor drainage, frequent lightning, and a lower risk of tornadoes. Whether you are heading to an outdoor event or hanging around the house, today is one of those days to remain weather aware, and have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts (cell phone notifications, NOAA Weather Radio, and broadcast meteorologists),” explains the weather service.
Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines
Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, mostly during the summer. It claims the lives of about 20 people annually, according to the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.
To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:…