Latest news with #EmilyMcMinn
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Heat wave brings wildfire smoke, hazy skies to Massachusetts
Scorching heat and smokey skies are set to blanket Massachusetts on Wednesday, with temperatures climbing in the 90s as Canadian wildfire haze drifts across New England. No air quality alerts have been issued for Massachusetts by the National Weather Service as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, though neighboring parts of Connecticut and New Hampshire were under alerts. However, the entire state was under a 'moderate' impact in air quality on Wednesday morning, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The 'moderate' impact is expected to remain through the day, and skies may appear hazy at times from the wildfire smoke as it heads northeast, according to Weather Service forecaster Emily McMinn. Central Massachusetts and areas of the North Shore will experience the heaviest smoke, DEP said. The impact level may briefly rise to 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' in those areas. High temperatures, light winds and sunny skies statewide are expected to help along this 'rise in fine particle and ozone pollution' on Wednesday, DEP said. Western Massachusetts is forecast to be the warmest region in the Bay State on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching highs of 91 degrees in Springfield. Eastern and Central Massachusetts will hit highs of 88 and 86 degrees, respectively. But a break in the dry conditions on Thursday afternoon should help 'cleanse the atmosphere' of smoke before another weekend of wet weather, forecaster Matthew Belk said. As heat and humidity increase, clouds are expected to move in Thursday afternoon, bringing a chance of thunderstorms and downpours. The precipitation will give way to another hot and humid day on Friday, with cloudy skies and temperatures in the 80s. Another round of showers late Friday is expected to break the heat, as residents prepare for a rainy Saturday evening into Sunday. Between a half-inch to an inch of rain — with downpours in some northern parts of the state — is projected to fall overnight by Sunday morning. The end of the weekend may dry out, but cooler temperatures are expected. Mass. weekend weather: Upcoming rainy weekend may mark 12-week streak Mass. weather: Hazy skies roll in from wildfire smoke as temps soar Mass. weather: Temperatures to heat up the first week of June The northern lights may be visible in Mass. Sunday night Update: Flood advisory affecting Berkshire County until Saturday evening due to substantial downpours Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mass. weather: Severe weather, chance of tornado, hail this afternoon
There is a 2% chance of a tornado occurring in most western parts of the state this afternoon, according to National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Emily McMinn. 'There is a chance,' she told MassLive. 'We can't rule it out at this time but it's not overly likely.' Western Massachusetts and Connecticut are at risk of seeing severe weather between the hours of 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., McMinn told MassLive. Heavy downpours are expected, with precipitation totals estimated to be as high as an inch. It's possible that residents could experience wind gusts ranging in speed from 45 to 65 miles per hour, along with the possibility of hail. Those storms are forecasted to push eastward into Central and Eastern Massachusetts. While rain is expected for these regions, the anticipated severity of the storms is likely to lessen. 'We're kind of expecting Worcester to get hit this afternoon by the more higher impact stuff later this evening,' McMinn said. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the skies in Western Mass. are expected to clear up, McMinn said. This will cause things to heat up in that region, along with Central and Eastern Massachusetts, creating the conditions for these storms. In Boston, Springfield and Worcester, temperatures at 9 a.m. will start in the high 60s, low 70s before gradually increasing between 72 and 73 degrees, according to a NWS post on X. Pittsfield in Berkshire County could see temperatures rise as high as 75 degrees by noon, the post reads. During the 9 a.m. to noon timeframe, the southeastern part of the state should expect some rain, but nothing heavy or detrimental, McMinn said. There could also be some rumbling of thunder during that time, she said. 'Again, it's not going to be overly frequent or anything that should be too detrimental.' The eastern part of the state could also see some showers this morning from 9 a.m. to noon but nothing severe. After sunset, which occurs around 8 p.m. today, a third storm system is expected to pass through the state, with moderate showers expected in the western region, McMinn said. As the system reaches Worcester, however, it will lighten up and become less severe both in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. On Sunday, drier conditions are forecasted along with cooler temperatures, McMinn told MassLive. 'So west of Worcester, we're looking at mid-60s,' she said. 'Everywhere else, kind of looking at high 60s, low 70s.' Mass. weather: Strong thunderstorms, tornado risk possible Saturday afternoon 'Wear rubber boots': Brimfield Flea Market remains open despite flooding Be prepared for fog in 5 Massachusetts counties until Friday morning Flood advisory in place for Berkshire County until Thursday night caused by excessive rain Mass. weather: Damaging winds, tornado risk possible during Saturday storm Read the original article on MassLive.
