FIRST ALERT: Thunderstorms, heavy rain move through New England

There are severe weather alerts in place in much of New England Thursday evening.

A tornado warning was effect in parts of Vermont, including Essex County, Addison County and Rutland County. It expired at 6:45 p.m.

Flash flood warnings were also in effect in much of the state, which was already inundated by floodwaters. Those warnings have since expired.

Early Friday morning, flash flood warnings remained in place in New Hampshire's Sullivan County and Cheshire County, and in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Severe thunderstorm warnings were also in place in much of New England throughout Thursday evening, but all have expired. A severe thunderstorm watch has also ended in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont.

For a full list of weather watches and warnings in your area, click here, and track weather radar live below.

An earlier version of this blog follows:

Happy Thursday afternoon! It is certainly a warm and humid afternoon. That combination of warmth and humidity is already aiding in the development of strong to severe storms.

A tornado warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has developed and either has produced a tornado that has been spotted by a ground observer or weather radar indicates intense low-level rotation in conditions that are favorable for tornadic development. If one is issued in your area, you should take shelter immediately. The best options are an underground shelter, basement or safe room. If none of those are available, a small windowless room or hallway on the lowest level of a building is the next best option.

NBC10 Boston

In addition to the severe threat, another round of heavy rainfall is also possible. A flood watch will also be in effect for western parts of New England tonight through early Friday morning.

NBC10 Boston

The storms are expected to be the strongest across eastern New York, Vermont, western Massachusetts, and western Connecticut through early this evening. With the loss of daytime heating, the intensity of the storms is expected to drop off a bit overnight tonight. Until they weaken, the strongest cells will be capable of 65 mph winds and hail up to the size of quarters.

NBC10 Boston

Now through mid afternoon, storms are expected to intensify and become more widespread. By 5 p.m., the majority of the storms will be in eastern New York and will continue their eastward progression through the evening.

NBC10 Boston

With recent heavy rainfall in several locations across New England over the last week, it won’t take much for additional flooding to occur. The rainfall forecast includes widespread amounts in excess of an inch can be expected. Two to 3-inch rain totals will be scattered about, but many spots can expect to get a couple of inches, so isolated 3-4” totals (or more) will also be possible.

Stay weather aware and avoid driving on roads covered in water!