High winds knock out power in Boston

BOSTON, Mass. (AP) - Howling high winds and whipping rain are causing power outages across Massachusetts.

The state's major utilities are reporting a combined 38,000 customers without power early Thursday morning.

National Grid says about 29,000 of its more than 1 million customers are without electricity. NStar reports that about 5,400 of its customers are without power while Western Mass. Electric Co. is reporting nearly 3,100 outages. Unitil has nearly 900 customers without juice.

Temperatures are in the upper 50s, with winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour. The Blue Hills Observatory outside Boston reported a 77 mph gust.

A downed tree limb has blocked Route 16 in Wellesley.