Massachusetts braces for strong storms ahead of cold front; latest weather update inside

Ahead of the much-needed relief from hot and muggy weather, which is likely next week, Massachusetts is set to witness isolated strong to severe thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon (August 17, 2025) into the evening. According to CBS News, the general timing for storms will be from 3 PM to 10 PM.

Currently, there are only marginal chances that the isolated strong storms will turn severe. The crucial threat that will come along with these storms will be damaging wind and frequent lightning. It may result in downed power lines and trees in some areas.

High temperatures in some parts of Massachusetts

Besides scattered thunderstorms, residents from Boston to the Lowell areas will also witness high temperatures in the lower 90s with dew point temperatures in the 70s, CBS News reported. Several parts of central Massachusetts, through Worcester, are set for temperatures in the upper 80s as well, and people should prepare for a muggy day ahead.

The hot temperatures and muggy weather conditions come ahead of a cold front that will bring some much-needed relief from the high heat and humidity. During the night, mercury is expected to drop into the low to mid-70s, with lows into the low to upper 50s at night.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Erin strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday (August 16, 2025) before weakening slightly to a Category 4 status. However, it remained a "formidable" storm while it underwent a process known as an "eyewall replacement cycle," the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, Erin, reached Category 5 status before weakening somewhat and becoming a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph). "Some fluctuations in intensity are expected over the next couple of days due to inner-core structural changes," the Miami-based hurricane center said, as quoted by CBS News. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph or higher.