Massachusetts tornado watch expands as storms surge east

A tornado watch issued for Berkshire County Thursday morning expanded through much of Massachusetts as forecasters warn of a possible couple tornadoes, isolated hail up to half an inch, and gusts up to 80 mph—along with damaging winds and frequent lightning. G

Thursday morning, the first warning went up for Berkshire County. By afternoon, it had spread across western and central Massachusetts—and forecasters warned it could expand farther depending on how much the day’s clearing fuels new thunderstorms.

The tornado watch was issued for Berkshire County on Thursday morning. It expanded in the afternoon to Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, and Worcester, and it also covered parts of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.

The National Weather Service radar imagery at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, June 18, showed active storm activity, as the watch remains in effect through 7 p.m. The NWS said the watch calls for possible couple tornadoes, isolated hail up to a half inch, and scattered gusts up to 80 mph.

NWS forecasts describe a “period of humid and unsettled weather,” with two expected rounds of rainfall Thursday. The first includes a round of showers in the morning. followed by a chance of strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. The primary threats listed are damaging winds and frequent lightning.

By Thursday afternoon, several cities were also under severe thunderstorm warnings: Shelburne Falls, Cummington, Goshen, Leominster, Fitchburg, and Gardner.

Meteorologist Francis Tarasiewicz said the tornado watch may be extended throughout the day and urged residents to keep checking for updates. He also tied the watch’s potential reach to weather conditions as the day moves forward.

“How far east the watch goes depends on how much clearing occurs throughout the day,” Tarasiewicz warned, adding, “because that sunshine is going to provide some fuel for the thunderstorms.”

He described the storm timing as the key point for residents in Massachusetts. Tarasiewicz said the NWS was tracking a line of thunderstorms across western New York that would move east, likely reaching western Massachusetts after lunchtime.

“They’ll likely be in the western Massachusetts area right after lunchtime, between like 2 and 4 p.m. so it’ll be the greatest risk for severe thunderstorms and even possibly a tornado or two,” he said Thursday morning.

For the Boston area, the forecast shifts toward wind damage. Tarasiewicz said winds are expected to increase throughout the day ahead of the thunderstorms, with gusts likely up to the 40 mph range. He then pointed to a broader window later in the afternoon and early evening.

“Then between about 4 and 8 p.m., we could see a line of thunderstorms that can bring some damaging winds,” he said. “That’s sort of the bigger threat for the Boston area, as opposed to those tornadoes out further west.”

Across the watch’s multi-state footprint, the NWS warned the total area covered more than 7 million people, 2,247 schools, and 149 hospitals as of Thursday afternoon.

Tornado risk, forecasters said, hinges on more than just the storms themselves. Tarasiewicz explained that Thursday’s ingredients include “change of wind direction with height. resulting in a spin in the air. and then enough instability or fuel for thunderstorms.” Massachusetts. he said. generally sees an average of two tornadoes a year.

He also urged people to plan for fast action if a tornado warning is issued.

“Something you want to pay attention to,” Tarasiewicz said. “And if you do receive tornado warning, ideally, if you have a basement, you’ll want to head down there. If you do not have a basement, an interior room in your building suffices as well.”

The NWS’s tornado safety guidance emphasizes moving to a “basement or a small interior room. such as a closet. bathroom or an interior hall on the lowest level;” getting away from windows; putting as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible; and not waiting to see the tornado. since it may be obscured. It also advises leaving mobile homes well in advance of the storm and limiting outdoor plans or finishing them early.

Power outages are also a concern with the strong winds forecast. Tarasiewicz said, “With the strong winds, power outages are possible,” and urged people to charge their phones and make sure they can access weather warnings as the afternoon storm line approaches.

While the tornado watch covers land, the broader weather system is also taking aim at coastal areas and waterways. Boston Harbor and wide-ranging waters off the New England coast were placed under a gale warning into Thursday night. The NWS said winds there could reach up to 40 knots, with waves expected up to nine feet. The warning cautioned that strong winds and hazardous waves “could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility. ” urging mariners to get to port. seek safe harbor. alter course. or secure their vessel for severe conditions.

Behind every warning is a simple, urgent message: have the plan ready before the storms arrive.

Massachusetts tornado watch severe thunderstorms National Weather Service Francis Tarasiewicz damaging winds hail frequent lightning Boston Harbor gale warning