BARNSTABLE – Heavy rain will continue around Massachusetts this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Barnstable County and on Nantucket.
The heavy rain will linger into the late day commute for the Greater Boston area. A widespread 1 to 2 inches of rainfall is expected with localized amounts of 3 to 5 inches possible. Rain will taper off early this evening from west to east.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for all areas except Cape Cod and the Islands.
In addition to Barnstable County and Nantucket, a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 1 to 4 p.m. for Plymouth County, Suffolk County, Essex County, and Norfolk County.
The rain may be accompanied by thunderstorms resulting in torrential rainfall. Rainfall rates of up to 2 inches in one hour are possible in some locations. This will bring the potential for urban and localized flash flooding; some small stream flooding is also possible.
Southeast Massachusetts, particularly south of the Massachusetts Turnpike, is at greatest risk for severe thunderstorms and accompanying damaging winds. The possibility of an isolated tornado or waterspout activity is greatest between 11 AM and 3 PM today.
The combination of high spring tides and fairly significant onshore winds may result in splashover and minor coastal flooding along the south coast during the mid-morning high tide and on the east coast during the afternoon high tide.
National Grid and Northeast Utilities report that additional utility crews have been placed on standby for the day. The decision to place additional crews on standby for this evening will be further assessed later this afternoon based on forecasts.
