Torrential rain and possible flash flooding in Massachusetts through early Thursday
BOSTON - The WBZ Weather Team has issued a NEXT Weather Alert for a period of heavy rain and renewed flooding late Wednesday through early Thursday across Massachusetts.
In addition, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for most of southern New England.
It's an all-too-familiar storyline. Another juiced-up storm system has a bead on our area and more flooding is on the way.
When is the rain at its heaviest?
The heaviest rain will fall overnight, roughly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. During this timeframe, we expect some torrential downpours and the potential for some flash flooding with rainfall rates as high as 1-to-2 inches per hour.
The rain will taper off between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday.
Several inches of rain (generally 2-3") are expected. Some higher amounts (up to 4") are possible. Hard to pinpoint exactly where the highest amounts will fall, but odds favor southeastern MA and Rhode Island right now.
Flooding concerns and wind
This will undoubtedly lead to widespread urban, street, basement, and small river/stream flooding. Most of the large, mainstem rivers will stay within their banks, however there is concern for renewed flooding for many Rhode Island rivers.
As the storm departs, the winds will increase out of the north-northeast during the day Thursday.
Gusts could top 40 mph over southeastern Massachusetts (especially Cape Cod and the Islands) from Thursday afternoon through the first half of Friday. Across the rest of southern New England, gusts will range between 20-40 mph.
The sunshine will finally return on Friday! Soak it up - we have more rain coming late Saturday night into Sunday morning.