GREENFIELD — While much-needed rain drenched Franklin County and the rest of Massachusetts Thursday morning, residents got a bit of reprieve through the afternoon.
Rain stopped for a period of time in the evening and showers and possible thunderstorms were expected to hit the region around 10 or 11 p.m. Thursday night, as a cold front made its way through from New York, National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Simpson said.
The rain is expected to total between 1 and 2.5 inches, Simpson said on Thursday, with localized areas of greater accumulation due to spots of heavier rainfall.
Simpson said damaging winds were not anticipated, with gusts expected around 25 miles per hour. However, reports of lightning strikes in Franklin County communities came in Thursday evening.
After the rain, Simpson said the Connecticut River Valley can expect a “pretty nice day” on Friday, with sun and an expected high temperature of 87 degrees.
Today, June 29, could be the start of a heat wave in the region though, with hot, hazy, humid and sunny conditions through at least Monday, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast. Saturday is expected to have a high around 92 degrees, while Sunday and Monday have expected highs around 95 degrees.
Tuesday is predicted to be more of the same, with a high of 94 and a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms and showers.
On Independence Day, a high of 89 is expected, also with a 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms.