MA Weather: Thunderstorms To Bring Heavy Winds, Possible Outages

Just a week after strong winds cut power for more than 70,000 homes and businesses across Massachusetts, forecasters are warning of the potential for more outages.

Wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour are expected for the second straight Wednesday. The entire state is under either a high wind warning or wind advisory. The warnings start at noon and end after midnight.

Forecasters also said to expect isolated thunderstorms between 2-8 p.m. The primary threat is the straight-line wind damage.

"Damaging winds will result in some downed trees and scattered power outages," the National Weather Service said.

The threat for outages is greater than it would be later in the fall. Trees that are still fully leafed are at more danger of causing outages.

Last Wednesday more than 72,000 customers lost power throughout the day. A wind gust of 72 miles per hour was recorded at Blue Hills Observatory in Milton.

Wednesday's storms will come ahead of a cold front. Temperatures are expected to easily coast into the 70s Wednesday, but might have trouble cracking 60 the next couple days.

Patch will update you on any potential outages and their status throughout day. Subscribe to your local Patch for free news and weather alerts specific to your community.

Boston-area forecast via NWS

Today - A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight - Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Light northeast wind.

Columbus Day - Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

Monday Night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday - Partly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 7 mph.