Heavy rain, strong Halloween winds to hit Massachusetts

Massachusetts is bracing for a soggy and blustery lead-up to Halloween, as heavy rain and strong winds sweep into the state by the end of the week.

The wet and windy conditions are expected to begin Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Though the morning will be mostly dry with temperatures in the mid to upper 50s across the state, conditions will deteriorate after 12 p.m., forecasters said.

Showers are expected to move across the state starting in Western Massachusetts, then move eastward as the rain becomes steady overnight.

Statewide, up to 2 inches of rain could fall — and Eastern Massachusetts will be hit the hardest, with up to 4 inches of rain along the coastline and on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Wind will also begin to pick up Thursday afternoon with su