A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Essex County and much of the northeast on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The thunderstorm watch was also issued for Berkshire County, Hampden County, Worcester County, Hampshire County, Franklin County, and Middlesex County, and will remain in place until 8 p.m., forecasters said. Parts of New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and New York are also included in the thunderstorm watch.
Forecasters warned of possible isolated hail up to the size of a ping-pong ball, scattered gusts of wind up to 75 miles per hour, and frequent lightning.
