(NECN) - A tornado watch was put into effect by the National Weather Service on Saturday, effective until 10 p.m. for northern Connecticut and Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, part of Maine and central Rhode Island.
A watch means storms are capable of producing tornadoes.
The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine updated its watch into a tornado warning for Central Androscoggin County in southwest Maine and Eastern Oxford County in western Maine until 6:15 p.m. At 5:51 p.m., the National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Lisbon or near Lewiston.
The Oxford County Sheriff's Office reported seeing a funnel cloud with this storm and very large hail. Those living in Paris or southern portions of Buckfield and norther portions of Hebron were directed to take cover. A tornado watch remains in effect until 10 p.m.
Affected counties:
Local
Maine
ANDROSCOGGIN
CUMBERLAND
FRANKLIN
KENNEBEC
LINCOLN
OXFORD
SAGADAHOC
YORK
Mass.
BRISTOL
ESSEX
FRANKLIN
HAMPDEN
HAMPSHIRE
MIDDLESEX
NORFOLK
PLYMOUTH
SUFFOLK
WORCESTER
N.H.
BELKNAP
CARROLL
CHESHIRE
COOS
GRAFTON
HILLSBOROUGH
MERRIMACK
ROCKINGHAM
STRAFFORD
SULLIVAN
R.I.
KENT
PROVIDENCE
Vermont
ENTIRE STATE, EXECPT BENNINGTON AND WINDHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 8 PM
It is the result of a strong thunderstorm capable of producing wind gusts up to 40 mph and small hail. Some affected locations include Chester, Blandford, Huntington, Russell, Montgomery, Westfield, Southampton and Easthampton.
The National Weather Service urged people to get inside when the storm approaches. Winds may be strong enough to bring down branches. Minor street flooding in poor drainage areas is possible.
Keep up with the storm on our Weather Page.
Information from the National Weather Service.
