Boston weather forecast has heavy rain, flooding into Thursday. Map shows potential totals in Massachusetts.

Heavy rain and localized flooding are possible across Massachusetts Thursday, prompting the WBZ-TV weather team to issue a NEXT Weather Alert for the Boston area.

Periods of torrential downpours are expected to develop, with rainfall rates capable of overwhelming storm drains and producing areas of street flooding. Some communities could pick up more than two inches of rain in just a short period of time.

Boston weather radar

You can track the rain all day and night with our interactive radar.

The flooding potential was already on display early Wednesday morning just south of Albany, New York, where life-threatening flash flooding developed after more than eight inches of rain fell in just a few hours. 

While not everyone in southern New England will see that kind of rainfall, it serves as a reminder of how quickly this storm system can produce dangerous flooding where the heaviest bands set up.

Southeastern Massachusetts has the lowest risk for flash flooding, while Greater Boston and much of the interior have the greatest potential for heavy rain. 

Who has the most rain?

The highest rainfall totals are expected across the Worcester Hills and Berkshires. That's because bands of heavy rain are likely to repeatedly move across the same locations, a process known as banding or training. 

In addition, a persistent southeast wind will force moisture laden air up the higher terrain, creating a lift that enhances rainfall and can significantly increase storm totals.

Communities south and east of Boston could experience gusts between 30 and 40 miles per hour as the strongest part of the storm pivots through the region. While widespread wind damage is not expected, the gusts could bring down small branches and make for a blustery evening, especially along the South Coast. 

On Thursday, the center of the storm will linger overhead, keeping skies gray and temperatures cool with additional scattered showers and downpours. The rain won't be as continuous as Wednesday, but pockets of heavy rain remain possible.

By Friday, the storm system will finally move offshore. A few lingering showers are still possible, but overall conditions will continue to improve heading into the weekend.

When all is said and done, localized rainfall totals of two to six inches or more are possible across parts of Massachusetts, especially in the interior. 

Some locations farther west into Connecticut, the Berkshires, and the Hudson River Valley could exceed eight inches where the heaviest rain bands persist.