Flash Flood Watch In Effect

Melrose and all of eastern Massachusetts is under a flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) from Tuesday night until Wednesday afternoon due to a forecast of heavy showers and thunderstorms.

A flash flood watch means that rapid flooding of urban areas and small streams is possible, according to the NWS.

"Rapid rises will also occur on smaller rivers and streams, some of which may come out of their banks," the NWS statement reads.

Rainfall of 2-3 inches per hour are possible Tuesday night, with the first group of storms expected to move through the area earlier in the evening, compounded by a second group of storms expected to move through the area between 9-11 p.m.

"Drivers should be prepared for the possibility of significant flooding of low-lying areas," the NWS statement reads, "including underpasses and poor drainage areas."