Tornado warning expands to other parts of Western Mass. Saturday

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:36 p.m. Saturday.

A tornado warning has extended to other parts of Massachusetts after starting in New York Saturday.

The tornado warning was issued for southwestern Hampshire County and western Hampden County in Massachusetts Saturday. This includes Russell, Granville, Chester, Blandford, Tolland, Westfield, Huntington, Montgomery, Southwick, Southampton, Westhampton, Northampton and Easthampton. By 2:45 p.m. the storm is expected to be near Holyoke, West Springfield and Chesterfield. By 2:50 p.m. the storm is expected to be near Williamsburg.

The warning lasts until at least 3 p.m. Saturday.

There is also a tornado warning for northwestern Franklin County that lasts until 2:45 p.m.

At 2:31 p.m. the severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Shelburne, or near Greenfield, moving northeast at 40 mph.

A tornado warning was first issued in New York and the Berkshires Saturday.

The warning was originally issued for Northern Dutchess County in east central New York and Southwestern Columbia County in east central New York, indicated in red on the National Weather Service map. It has since expired.

It was later extended to Massachusetts in southwestern Berkshire County and Northwestern Litchfield County in northern Connecticut. This includes South Sandisfield, Otis Wood Lanes, Konkapot, New Boston, Algerie Four Corners, Bonny Rigg Corners, North Otis, Montville, FreeQuarter and Roosterville.

The warning lasts until 2:45 p.m.

“Take cover now,” the National Weather Service warned. “Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowestfloor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in amobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelterand protect yourself from flying debris.”

Additionally, forecasters are warning of golf ball size hail.

At 1:55 p.m. the severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Copake, or 10 miles southwest of Great Barrington, moving northeast at 30 mph. At 2:15 p.m. the storm capable of producing a tornadowas located over Sandisfield, or 13 miles southeast of Great Barrington, moving east at 25 mph. Two minutes later, the severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornadowas located over Sandisfield, or 12 miles southeast of Great Barrington, moving northeast at 45 mph.

Several counties across Massachusetts are under a severe thunderstorm watch.

The National Weather Service announced that the watch was put into effect at 1:10 p.m. and will stay until 8 p.m.

The following Massachusetts counties are on their radar:

• Berkshire
• Hampden
• Norfolk
• Essex
• Hampshire
• Suffolk
• Franklin
• Middlesex
• Worcester

The storms are expected to be at its strongest in areas farther inland, particularly in Central and Western Massachusetts.

The greatest potential for thunderstorms could be anytime until 8 p.m., especially in the Worcester and Lowell regions.

For those closer to the coast, the threat is lower. The storms are expected to weaken as they approach the Boston and Providence corridor, where residents could see a few strong thunderstorms between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Meanwhile, southeast Massachusetts may only experience a few rumbles of thunder.

Eastern Massachusetts, however, could be rain-free through the daylight hours. It’s very unlikely that a stray storm will pop up, the National Weather Service added.

“Whether you are heading to an outdoor event or hanging around the house, today is one of those days to remain weather aware,” the National Weather Service said. “Thankfully it looks like the storms will be quick to wind down after sunset.”