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Forecasters warn of thunderstorms this afternoon, evening

E-mail|Link|Comments () May 29, 2010 05:12 PM

By Maggie Cassidy, Globe Correspondent

Massachusetts residents can look forward to a mostly sunny Sunday and Memorial Day – but not before some areas experience showers and thunderstorms that will make the weather unsuitable for grilling this evening.

The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Worcester, Hampden and Hampshire counties until 5:30 p.m. The warning advised that the storms could produce damaging winds, large hail and torrential rains.

Another warning was issued for areas including Canton, Randolph, Stoughton, Holbrook, and Avon until 6 p.m., after the agency's radar picked up a severe thunderstorm moving through the area.

While thunderstorms are currently pelting areas west of Worcester, meteorologist Charlie Foley of the National Weather Service in Taunton said he would be surprised if they made it to Boston.

"I'm not discounting [thunderstorms in Boston] completely, but not anything that would cause serious damage," Foley said.

Residents in Boston and surrounding cities can instead expect showers, "even sprinkles,"Foley said. Most of the inclement weather is expected to finish by 8 p.m.