Heavy rain, strong Halloween winds to hit Massachusetts
Massachusetts is bracing for a soggy and blustery lead-up to Halloween, as heavy rain and strong winds sweep into the state by the end of the week.
The wet and windy conditions are expected to begin Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Though the morning will be mostly dry with temperatures in the mid to upper 50s across the state, conditions will deteriorate after 12 p.m., forecasters said.
Showers are expected to move across the state starting in Western Massachusetts, then move eastward as the rain becomes steady overnight.
Statewide, up to 2 inches of rain could fall — and Eastern Massachusetts will be hit the hardest, with up to 4 inches of rain along the coastline and on Cape Cod and the Islands.
Wind will also begin to pick up Thursday afternoon with sustained speeds up to 20 mph, and gusts up to 30 mph along the coast.
Though conditions are expected to dry out on Friday, some showers may linger in northern areas of the state in the morning.
The most major concern for Halloween night will be very strong winds that develop in the afternoon. Gusts may peak between 25 and 35 mph statewide with isolated 40 mph gusts, while those in higher elevations may see even stronger winds between 35 and 45 mph with 50 mph gusts.
Forecasters warn that these strong winds, combined with the soaked ground from Thursday's rain, could possibly down weakened trees or those with shallow roots.
These conditions will continue into Saturday morning before the wind dies out in the afternoon. Even though it's expected to be sunny, temperates will be chilly in the mid to upper 40s, until things begin to warm up again Sunday.
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