Alert archive / Massachusetts / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1988

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 13, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

June 22, 1988Bristol County, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 22, 1988, 9:14 PM EDT for Bristol County, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 61 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 22, 1988, 9:14 PM EDT (01:14 UTC)
Expired
Jun 22, 1988, 10:15 PM EDT
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Whole counties

Counties Bristol County, MA, Plymouth County, MA

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Chatham, MA (KCHH), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 81 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 1988-06-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 1988-06-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 107 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2027 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
32 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
107 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
143 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KBOS 230114
SVRBOS
MAC023-005-230215-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND SPECIAL MARINE WARNING 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOSTON MA
914 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 
AND SPECIAL MARINE WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1015 PM EDT FOR 
PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES

   IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF MASSACHUSETTS
      NORTHERN PLYMOUTH...NORTHERN BRISTOL

...THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES THE ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS FOR THE
COUNTIES JUST MENTIONED

AT 911 PM WINDS GUSTED IN EXCESS OF 65 MPH AT LOGAN AIRPORT IN
BOSTON ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF VERY STRONG WINDS AND
LARGE HAILTHROUGHOUT EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 55
MPH...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR
OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.  HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADWAYS QUICKLY...
AVOID DRIVING INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM.  IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE FOR
DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND DEADLY LIGHTNING.  PEOPLE OUTSIDE
SHOULD MOVE TO SHELTER...PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING.  ONCE
INSIDE...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

  WYLLIE

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 22, 3:35 PM EDT, 5 hours 39 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HARTFORD CT
535 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT...

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ALL OF CONNECTICUT AND
THE GREAT SPRINGFIELD AREA UNTIL 11 PM EDT.

LARGE HAIL...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING AND DAMAGING THUNDERSTORM WIND ARE
POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.  PERSONS IN
THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER
CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED AS CONDITIONS WARRANT.

WBK
Special weather statement, Jun 22, 5:03 PM EDT, 4 hours 11 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR RHODE ISLAND
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PROVIDENCE RI
500 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR RHODE ISLAND UNTIL 11PM...

THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS FORECAST CENTER HAS ISSUED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND UNTIL 11PM.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.  IF YOU PLAN
TO BE OUT OF DOORS THIS EVENING...KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS.  IF THREATENING WEATHER DOES APPROACH YOUR AREA
FROM THE WEST...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY.  MARINERS ON NARRAGANSETT BAY
AND ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND SHOULD HEAD FOR A SAFE
PORT BEFORE THE HEAVY WEATHER ARRIVES.

THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE PROVIDENCE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AT ABOUT 7PM.
<
VALLIER
Special weather statement, Jun 22, 5:23 PM EDT, 3 hours 51 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR MASSACHUSETTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOSTON MA
530 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR MASSACHUSETTS...

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 243 HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ALL OF
MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT FOR DUKES AND NANTUCKET COUNTIES...EFFECTIVE
UNTIL 1100 PM EDT.

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MASSACHUSETTS AREA.  BE ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER WEATHER
STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE OCCURRING AT THIS TIME OVER NEW YORK STATE...
TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF ALBANY.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING RAPIDLY TO
THE EAST AND WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN VERMONT DURING THE NEXT HOUR.
MORE STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE PRESENT THUNDERSTORMS
AND COULD BE MOVING INTO THE BERKSHIRES IN AN HOUR OR TWO.

LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING
MAY ACCOMPANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
BOSTON AT 730 PM.

BTS
Special weather statement, Jun 22, 6:47 PM EDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR RHODE ISLAND
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PROVIDENCE RI
700 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR RHODE ISLAND UNTIL 11PM...

THE NATIONAL SEVERE STORMS FORECAST CENTER HAS ISSUED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND UNTIL 11PM.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.  IF YOU PLAN
TO BE OUT OF DOORS THIS EVENING...KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS.  IF THREATENING WEATHER DOES APPROACH...TAKE
COVER IMMEDIATELY.  MARINERS ON NARRAGANSETT BAY AND ALONG IMMEDIATE
COASTAL AREAS SHOULD HEAD FOR SAFE HAVEN BEFORE HEAVY WEATHER ARRIVES.

THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE PROVIDENCE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AT ABOUT 9PM.

HARTZELL
Special weather statement, Jun 22, 7:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR MASSACHUSETTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOSTON MA
730 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MASSACHUSETTS...

AT 700 PM EDT A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM NEAR CONCORD NEW
HAMPSHIRE TO CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY...
WESTWARD ACROSS FRANKLIN AND NORTHERN BERKSHIRE COUNTIES.

WARNINGS WERE ISSUED FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN NORTHERN BERKSHIRE
COUNTY...FRANKLIN COUNTY AND NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY.  SEVERAL
SEVERE STORMS WERE REPORTED DURING THE PAST HOUR.

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE RAPIDLY TO THE EAST AND THERE
IS STILL A CHANCE THAT A FEW MORE SEVERE STORMS MAY DEVELOP.  THE BEST
CHANCE FOR SEVERE STORMS CONTINUES TO BE ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF
THE STATE.

LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING
WILL ACCOMPANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.

IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES GO TO A SAFE PLACE IMMERDIATELY.

THE NEXT SCHEDULED STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BOSTON AT 930 PM.

BTS
Special weather statement, Jun 22, 9:14 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR RHODE ISLAND
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PROVIDENCE RI
915 PM EDT WED JUN 22 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR RHODE ISLAND
UNTIL 11PM...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE OCEAN
STATE UNTIL 11PM.

SEVERAL SEVERE STORMS HAVE DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS...WITH
WIND GUSTS UP TO 70 MPH AND LARGE HAIL.  THESE STORMS HAVE REMAINED
NORTH OF RHODE ISLAND AS THEY MOVE EAST AT 50 TO 60 MPH.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS REMAIN
FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.  IF YOU PLAN
TO BE OUT OF DOORS TONIGHT...KEEP A LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER
CONDITIONS.  IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...TAKE COVER
IMMEDIATELY.  MARINERS ON NARRAGANSETT BAY AND ALONG IMMEDIATE COASTAL
AREAS SHOULD HEAD FOR SAFE HAVEN BEFORE HEAVY WEATHER ARRIVES.
<
THE NEXT STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE PROVIDENCE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AROUND 11PM.

VALLIER

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 22, 8:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXHampshire60 min
Jun 22, 8:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXWorcester45 min
Jun 22, 8:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXMiddlesex60 min
Jun 22, 8:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXEssex, Suffolk58 min
Jun 22, 8:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXNorfolk58 min
Jun 22, 9:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXWorcester30 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Massachusetts, 1988Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1988

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.