Strong to severe thunderstorms could develop later this afternoon into the evening, the National Weather Service warned on Friday morning.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop across southern New England by mid-afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front, the NWS said in a statement.

A few thunderstorms may become severe, with the primary threat coming from damaging wind gusts, the NWS said, and heavy rainfall could also lead to isolated flooding.

"The storms should initially develop in the interior by 2 or 3 p.m., moving toward the coast by early evening," the NWS statement read. "People engaged in outdoor activities should keep an eye to the sky and be ready to quickly move to shelter if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued or the sky begins to look threatening."

Downed tree limbs, flooding and other hazards created by the storm can be reported to the Department of Public Works at 781-721-7100.