Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued for Most of Bay State

The National Weather Service has issued aHazardous Weather Outlook for most of Massachusetts, including Dedham, and all of Connecticut in effect today and tonight.

The outlook was issued due to the rain the area is experiencing today, which will likely continue to be heavy throughout the evening.

"[There is a] high confidence of heavy rainfall later today into tonight," the NWS states. "Potential exists for 1 to 3 inches of rain, which could lead to localized flooding in urban and poor-drainage areas. Some small streams may approach bank-full levels. The heaviest rainfall should be mainly across eastern New England."

The Massachusetts State Police recently issued tips on driving safely in the rain. They suggest:

• Be mindful that wet roads require increased stopping time. Motorists are advised to drive at speeds appropriate to the weather conditions, slower than they would drive on dry roads, and to keep greater distance than normal between their cars and the cars in front of them.
• In heavy rains, water tends to pool in the left lanes of highways. Motorists are reminded that: 
  
  • the left lane of multi-lane highways is a passing lane, not a high-speed travel lane, and thus sustained travel in the left lane is prohibited; and
  • pooled water in the left lane can be a hazard to vehicles driving at high speeds.
• Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded sections of road. Standing water can be deeper than it appears, and cars can easily become stranded.
• Motorists are remind to always drive at a speed reasonable for the weather and road conditions, to wear seatbelts, and to avoid distractions such as playing with the radio, using electronic devices, or wearing headphones.
• Anyone who gets in trouble on the roads is reminded to call 911 on a cell phone to immediately be connected to a State Police Communications Section.