Severe Storms, More Weekend Rain To Target MA: See Timing, Latest Forecast

A sunny, very warm and mostly dry stretch of early summer weather will come to a crashing halt on Saturday as a line of potentially severe storms brings more weekend rain and, ultimately, cooler temperatures.

The National Weather Service said on Friday that strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Saturday night into Sunday across portions of southern New England.

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The NWS said the greatest risk for storms is west of Route 495, including central and western Massachusetts, Connecticut and northwest Rhode Island.

"Main hazards include damaging wind gusts, lightning and heavy downpours," the NWS said.

The greatest threat for the severe storms is Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight, with some storms lingering overnight.

Weather leading up to the storms is forecast to be very warm and mostly dry with gradually increasing humidity.

Friday will be the second straight day with temperatures approaching 90 degrees. A sea breeze was expected to knock temperatures back into the upper 70s and 80s along the coast.

Saturday will be hot before the storms with a high of 91 degrees.

Sunday is expected to be unsettled, but not a washout. NWS is forecasting a high of 78 degrees with an 80 percent chance of some rain.

Monday will be much cooler with highs in the 70s before another big warm-up next week.