Damaging Wind, Tornado Possible With Severe Thunderstorm

A severe thunderstorm with the possibility of damaging winds over 60 miles per hour is headed across the area north of Boston on Monday afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:30 p.m. for north central Suffolk County, east central Middlesex County and south central Essex County. The severe thunderstorm warning runs until 6:15 p.m.

Cities and towns in the warning area include Boston, Somerville, Waltham, Malden, Medford, Peabody, Arlington, Salem, Woburn, Lexington, Melrose, Saugus, Wakefield and Reading.

At 5:30 p.m. the storm was near Concord and Lexington, headed east at 30 miles per hour.

"Wind damage is the main threat with this storm," the weather service said, adding: "While not immediately likely, these storms may produce a short lived tornado. Move to a safe place now in a sturdy structure, such as a basement or small interior room."

Additionally, the storms could cause minor flooding from torrential rainfall. Do not drive through flooded roads, the weather service said.