NORWICH – Severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could potentially result in damaging winds, hail, heavy rain and possibly tornadoes, according to the City of Norwich Emergency Management Office.

Key indicators, said Emergency Management Officer A. Jones, will be the speed at which this morning’s rain moves through the area. If cloud cover disperses quickly enough for the sun to come out and temperatures rapidly rise, the atmosphere will “quickly destabilize,” increasing the threat for more severe thunderstorms and isolated supercells that could result in tornadoes.

If the cloud cover does not disperse, however, significant supercell development is less likely, he added, although some severe thunderstorms are still possible.

According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, “potentially widespread and significant” damaging winds – and large hail – are the primary threats, although the possibility of tornadoes along a narrow corridor through parts of New York State and southern New England cannot be ruled out.