Warning Issued for Damaging Winds, Possibility of Severe Thunderstorm

There’s a severe thunderstorm warning in place for Swampscott early Wednesday, meaning there’s a chance of a strong thunderstorm moving through the area.

The National Weather Service issued the watch at 7:55 p.m. on Tuesday. There had also been a wind advisory in place, but at 7:31 p.m. it was upgraded to a high wind warning.

The severe thunderstorm watch extends across most of eastern and central Massachusetts, including Swampscott, plus portions of southern New Hampshire, northern Connecticut and most of Rhode Island. It runs until 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

The watch means that conditions are favorable for the formation of a severe thunderstorm.

The high wind warning is issued when sustained winds of 40 mph are expected for at least an hour or gusts of 58 mph or greater are expected at any time. The warning was also issued because of the possibility of damage to trees, power lines and property.

In Swampscott, “strong damaging winds” from the south at 25-35 miles per hour with gusts to 55 mph are likely through 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

The strongest gusts along the coast are expected between 10 p.m. on Tuesday through 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

“The heavy rain coupled with fully leafed trees will result in more damage than is normally associated with these wind speeds,” the weather service said in issuing the high wind warning. “Therefore, we have upgraded to a high wind warning.”

The wind gusts and forecasted heavy rain could combine to cause tree damage and power outages, the weather service said. The weather service said residents should secure any loose items outdoors.