The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a special weather statement for Peabody and surrounding communities with severe thunderstorms in the forecast.

Thunderstorms are expected early this afternoon into this evening. There is a 50 percent chance of precipitation, according to the NWS.

Storms could bring "damaging winds" and "large hail along with torrential downpours," says the NWS. And that could lead to flash flooding in some areas.

NWS says there is a low risk of a few locations receiving two or three inches of rainfall in a short period of time, although the worst of the hazardous weather is predicted for south of the Mass. Turnpike, Rhode Island and across Connecticut. The greatest risk of flash flooding should then move further south.

The storms could break the heat. A low temperature of 64 degrees is expected in Peabody this evening. The high temperature tomorrow should hit about 82 degrees, according to forecasts.