Severe Thunderstorms Coming To MA This Afternoon: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Wednesday, June 30. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Gordon Ramsay, the celebrity chef known as much for his temper as for his cuisine, is opening a new restaurant in Back Bay.
• AAA is out with its annual 4th of July weekend travel forecast.
• Polar Park, home of the Worcester Red Sox, is getting a little bigger and more kid-friendly.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Story

Unsettled weather is on the way in Massachusetts. Following another morning of sweltering, humid weather, severe thunderstorms are possible across much of the state throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service put a large swath of the state under an orange, or "enhanced" risk outlook for the afternoon, meaning widespread, persistent storms are possible. The highest area of concern are inland areas and Western Massachusetts. The southeastern part of the state is expected to see more isolated storms, while Cape Cod is only under mild risk of severe weather.

Read the full story.

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Wednesday's Other Top Stories

Framingham Styrofoam ban: During a tense exchange Tuesday night, the City Council debated whether to even begin discussions about the proposal from a local litter-pickup group.

Polar Park, now bigger: The Worcester Red Sox home field got a little bigger this week with a new seating area, a new gate and even some attractions for children and families. The team is in the midst of a week-long homestand against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Cannabis couriers coming: A Bellingham-based company was one of two that got final approval this week to start delivering marijuana to adult recreational consumers. Deliveries could begin as soon as this weekend.

Eat fresh: Patch's 2021 Massachusetts Farmers Market Guide

Picture This

Gordon Ramsay coming to Boston: Gordon Ramsay, the celebrity chef known as much for his temper as for his cuisine, is opening a new restaurant in Back Bay. Ramsay's Kitchen, which will take over the 7,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Bar Boulud in the Mandarin Oriental hotel, is scheduled to open by the end of the year. The 180-seat restaurant is the first to open under Ramsay's newest dining concept and will employ 160 people. "I absolutely love the energy of Boston and consider it a premier dining destination in the country," Ramsay said.

In Case You Missed It

4th of July Weekend Travel Guide: Heading out of town this 4th of July? Expect company on Massachusetts roads — nearly 48 million people are expected to travel over the coming holiday weekend, according to a new travel forecast by AAA. Boston-area travel times could more than triple Friday and Monday, with delays peaking Friday afternoon as holiday travelers mix with commuters leaving early and midday Monday as travelers return home.