5 Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things: Are Showers, Clouds and a Thunderstorm in the Forecast?

Check out the Winchester Patch 5 Things column for Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Here is the 5 Things column for Melrose for Wednesday, Jan. 30: 1. Warm day: It is expected to be cloudy with a chance of rain and temperatures peaking at about 57 during the day Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service's forecast for Winchester. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm and temperatures dip slightly to around 52 in the evening, according to the forecast. 2. In case you missed it: Winchester Pharmacy opened its doors to customers this week. 3. Morning closure: The Winchester Town Clerk's office will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday to process the census and transfer station permits. 4. Learn Italian: An intermediate-level Italian class for groups, led by instructor Sabrina Amadei, is slated for 9-11 a.m. …

• Photos (1)

Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Effect Sunday

Strong winds and hail are possible late Sunday afternoon.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Winchester and Middlesex County on Sunday afternoon as a storm in central Massachusetts barrels towards the coast. The National Weather Service (NWS) said in a statement that the warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m., as the storm near Clinton moved northeast at 30 miles per hour. Damaging winds in excess of 60 miles per hour are possible with the storm, along with hail, "deadly lightning" and torrential rain, the NWS said. "Get to safe shelter now, inside a study building or in a vehicle," the NWS said. "Do not seek shelter under trees. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning." Driver should also stay alert for flooding roads and ponding of water on roadways, …

• Photos (1)

Winchester Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch

National Weather Service updates forecast to conditions good for storms, wind until 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Winchester and the rest of Middlesex County, indicating that weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms for the rest of today, Aug. 1. The watch began at 2:35 p.m. and will last until 10 p.m. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall and strong storms. Some thunderstorms could contain heavy rainfall which may result in localized urban and poor drainage street flooding. According to the NWS, a watch does not mean that the severe weather is actually occurring, only that weather conditions have created a significant risk for it. If severe weather actually does occur, a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning will be …

• Photos (1)