MA Weather: Severe Thunderstorms Watch Issued For Much Of State

The likely warmest day of the year thus far could also see severe thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of Massachusetts and a hazardous weather outlook for the rest in anticipation of "a few strong to severe thunderstorms" between 3-9 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch was issued in Middlesex, Worcester, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties until 9. The storms may be brief and localized but powerful; forecasters said torrential rain, damaging wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and large hail are the primary threats. They also warned of a low risk for a tornado.

Storms rumbled through much of Massachusetts overnight, making for a cool morning on a day temperatures are expected to get to the mid-80s in the Boston and Worcester areas. The National Weather Service said the average first 80-degree day is May 4; today is May 20.

The temperatures will stay a bit cooler in Southeastern Mass. and the Cape, where highs are expected to hover around 70 degrees.

Here's the Boston-area forecast for the rest of the week from NWS Boston:

• Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
• Tuesday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
• Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
• Wednesday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Light and variable wind.
• Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Thursday night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Friday - A chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Friday night - A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Saturday - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.
• Saturday night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind around 6 mph.