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Tropical Storm Isaias: Tornado Watch For Southern New England Through 9 PM

BOSTON (CBS) - A Tornado Watch was in effect for most of southern New England until as Tropical Storm Isaias moved up the East Coast Tuesday. The Tornado Watch expired early Tuesday evening.

A Tornado Warning was briefly issued for parts of Middlesex and Worcester counties, as well as southern New Hampshire between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Another Tornado Warning was issued for Middlesex and Worcester counties at about 5:00 p.m.

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(WBZ-TV graphic)

Tracking Maps: Tropical Storm Isaias

Let's go through each of the concerns for the rest of the day:

WIND:

Our biggest concern and largest overall impact from Isaias will be from the damaging wind. As the system rolls to our west, the wind field will expand. Tropical storm force winds (39 mph or higher) are expected from Vermont to coastal Massachusetts.

wind
(WBZ-TV graphic)

The strongest gusts will likely register from the Worcester Hills to the Berkshires. Peak gusts of 45-65 mph arrive between 5 and 11 p.m.

RAIN:

The heaviest rainfall with tropical systems is nearly always to the west of the track and Isaias will be no different.

Therefore, western Massachusetts and New York state will be the bullseye for as much as 3-to-5 inches of rainfall Tuesday night.

In central and eastern Massachusetts, we are looking at likely less than an inch of rainfall, with some areas along the Coast getting nearly nothing, certainly not a drought buster for us.

SEVERE WEATHER:

Another common theme with tropical systems is the severe weather.

Again, being on the east side of the track, southern New England is a vulnerable area for some severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening.

There is also an elevated risk of a few quick, spin-up type tornadoes.

No coastal flooding is expected in our area with Isaias, which will be long gone by Wednesday morning. You can then expect sunshine and warmth for the next several days.

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