NORTHAMPTON – The region is in for a wet and windy day.
A very slow moving cold front is heading in the Valley’s direction, National Weather Service meteorologist Alan Dunham said.
The cold front brings with it the potential for rain showers and thunderstorm activity, especially during the afternoon and most of Tuesday night, Dunham explained.
The rain is expected to continue through Wednesday morning and because of that, a flash flood watch begins at 6 p.m.
“Moderate to heavy rain will impact western Massachusetts and western Connecticut through tonight with the heaviest expected this afternoon into evening,” according to the National Weather Service forecast. “Excessive rainfall, especially with any thunderstorms, could lead to localized flash flooding at some of the faster responding streams and rivers in the region. Localized urban flooding is also possible.”
A wind advisory, which remains in effect until Wednesday at 11 a.m., has also been put in place. The advisory means there is a chance for sustained winds of 31 to 39 miles per hour with gusts between 46 to 57 miles per hour, according to the advisory.
“There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms,” Dunham said, adding that temperatures will remain unseasonably warm.
“As you’ve noticed, October has been a lot warmer than normal,” Dunham said.
Temperatures Tuesday afternoon are expected to reach the low 70s and high temperatures Wednesday are forecast in the mid-60s. Above-normal temperatures are forecast through Saturday with temperatures expected in the low-to-mid 60s, Dunham explained.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.