A tornado watch is in effect for Lynnfield, Essex County and most of central and eastern Massachusetts until 9 p.m. on Friday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the watch at 3:40 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

A flood advisory has also been issued for Essex County as an area of thunderstorms with torrential rainfall was moving, as of 3:30 p.m., northeastward from southern Connecticut and Long Island Sound. Close to two inches of rain fell in New Haven, CT in less than an hour due to the storms, the NWS said.

"Rapid ponding of roadways will cause minor urban flooding through the mid-afternoon hours," the NWS statement said. "Streams and creeks may rise out of their banks causing minor property damage." 

The NWS warned drivers not to drive through areas where the water covers the roadway in case the water depth is too great to allow cars to cross safely. 

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also expected Saturday, which may contain heavy downpours resulting in possible localized flooding, the NWS said.