Harrison Thorp 8:40 a.m.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 8:40 am

The first of two storms to usher in the Halloween weekend begins today with a mix of rain, oftentimes heavy, and strong winds that won't end till late afternoon on Wednesday.

The storm will bring flood watches and warnings across the region with the potential for falling limbs and possible power outages.

This first nor'easter of the season - a potential dreaded bomb cyclone - will wreak havoc and misery for the next 48 hours at least, say Accuweather meteorologists.

Winds will strengthen into the nighttime tonight with gusts of over 20 mph and up to 30 mph on Wednesday when eight full hours of rain is expected.

Strong winds and heavy downpours will finally begin to subside on Wednesday night, when forecasters predict fallen leaves on slick roadways could pose driving hazards.

As much as 4-8 inches of rain are expected in Massachusetts, with slightly lesser amounts here in the Northern Seacoast.

Temperatures throughout the storm will change little ranging from daytime highs of around 50 to nighttime lows in the mid-40s.

A weekend storm with more wind and more rain will set a spooky stage for Halloween revelry, especially during the downtown Zombie Walk scheduled for Friday night in downtown Rochester.