MA Weather: Torrential Downpours, Flash Flood Watch In Effect

Major rainfall stands between Massachusetts and the return to sunny skies and summer temperatures. A flash flood watch is in effect into early Thursday morning for all of Central and Eastern Mass. for potentially several inches of rain.

Forecasters are looking at 1-3 inches of rain across the region and localized amounts of up to 4-5 inches. The rain will come hard at times.

"Bands of showers with pockets of torrential rainfall will overspread the region from south to north this afternoon and continue at times through tonight," the National Weather Service said.

The NWS simulated radar shows the rain starting in the early afternoon and lasting through midnight. The worst of it appears to be between 4- 9 p.m.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Thursday - A chance of showers before 8am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 59. West wind around 6 mph.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 84. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 78. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Light north wind.

Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind.

Sunday Night - A chance of showers after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Labor Day - A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Tuesday - A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.