MA Weather: Tropical Downpours Expected Thursday

There is a hazardous weather outlook for most of Massachusetts as forecasters eye tropical downpours Thursday night into Friday morning. While some parts of the country deal with severe weather - including a spate of tornadoes - Southern New England will only see heavy rainfall.

Much of the state is expected to get around a half inch of rain, but all of Massachusetts east of Berkshire County could see more than 2 inches of rain in some areas. There will widespread rain starting around 8 p.m., Thursday and move out around 4 a.m., Friday. The morning commute could be extra slow because of it.

"There is the threat of tropical downpours developing this evening, continuing through early Friday morning that could contribute to localized flooding," the National Weather Service said Thursday.

Boston-area weekend forecast via NWS Boston

Tonight - Showers likely before 2 a.m., then rain likely, mainly between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Friday night - Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Light southwest wind.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday night - A chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Sunday - A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Sunday night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.