Downpours, minor flooding expected this afternoon into Friday

By Lauren Dezenski, Globe Correspondent

A cluster of rainstorms is rolling into the Boston area, kicking off showers and thunderstorms expected to last through the rest of the workweek.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch as a low pressure system is expected to stall over the region. The rainfall is expected to be heaviest in areas south of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Rainfall will become more widespread as the hours pass, lasting through Friday, forecasters said. The Berkshires stand to see the best chance for strong storms, where instability is highest, forecasters said in a discussion posted online. The fog and low clouds that have hugged Boston for much of the day have helped reduce the risk for strong storms.

Thanks to the tropical airmass parked over the region, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches of rain is expected to fall overnight — with the precipitation expected to fall in a short timeframe. Look for some streams and small rivers to rise quickly. Areas prone to urban flooding are also likely to see issues.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue through the Friday morning commute, slowly dissipating through the afternoon. Look for clouds to stick around, with temperatures rising into the upper 70s and low 80s. Should there be breaks in the clouds in the afternoon, the warmer atmosphere could lead to strong storms, forecasters said.

The weekend looks hot and humid, with hit and miss showers and thunderstorms throughout the weekend and into early next week.