Alert archive / Rhode Island / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1998

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 18, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

May 31, 1998Washington County, Rhode Island

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 1998, 8:48 AM EDT for Washington County, Rhode Island. It was in force for 47 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 31, 1998, 8:48 AM EDT (12:48 UTC)
Expired
May 31, 1998, 9:35 AM EDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Whole counties

County Washington County, RI

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:48 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 12:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 120 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 1998-05-31Temperature 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 1998-05-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 166 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
1003 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
38 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
166 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
205 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KBOS 311248 RRA
SVRBOS
RIC009-311335-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
848 AM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWESTERN RHODE ISLAND

* UNTIL 935 AM EDT

* AT 844 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM NEAR HOPKINTON... MOVING EAST TO NORTHEAST AT
  20 MPH.

* TOWNS IN/NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  HOPKINTON AT 853 AM...THEN THE RICHMOND AND EXETER AREA AT ABOUT
  910 AM

THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF DUMPING LARGE HAIL...POSSIBLY OVER 1 INCH
IN DIAMETER.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING BOTH DAMAGING WINDS
AND HAIL LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND SMASHED WINDOWS.

JL/DRAG

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, May 31, 6:33 AM EDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
MAZ002>024-RIZALL-CTZ002>004-NHZ011-012-ANZ230>-237-250-255--010200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
633 AM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

...DAMAGING WIND OR LARGE HAIL IS LIKELY FOR A FEW LOCATIONS IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THIS STATEMENT MAY BE
UPDATED JUST BEFORE NOON...ESPECIALLY IF THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES IS
GREATER.

A SQUALL LINE IN THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES AT 6 AM WAS MOVING EAST AT
70 MPH.

IF THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS HOLDS TOGETHER AND MAINTAINS ITS
CURRENT SPEED...IT WILL BARREL THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BETWEEN
2 AND 5 PM.  THERE ALREADY HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF WINDS OVER 70
MPH IN THE GREAT LAKES STATES.

THE MOST LIKELY AREA WHERE POCKETS OF DAMAGING WIND AND POSSIBLY A
TORNADO COULD OCCUR IS FROM THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY OF NORTH
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT NORTH THROUGH WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTO THE FAR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES OF CHESHIRE AND
HILLSBOROUGH.

LIGHTNING WILL CAUSE MANY POWER OUTAGES.

COOLER AIR ON INCREASING SOUTHERLY WINDS OFF THE OCEAN IS EXPECTED
TO REDUCE SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND ALONG THE COAST.
EVEN SO...MARINERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR 50 KNOT WIND GUSTS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON OR EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BRING BRIEF TORRENTIAL RAINS AND POSSIBLY HAIL
IN 1 OR 2 LOCATIONS.

IF A TORNADO OR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS ISSUED LATER TODAY...
YOU SHOULD REVIEW SAFE SHELTER PLANS IN CASE THREATENING WEATHER OR
WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA.

DRAG
Special weather statement, May 31, 6:33 AM EDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
MAZ002>024-RIZALL-CTZ002>004-NHZ011-012-ANZ230>-237-250-255--010200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
633 AM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

...DAMAGING WIND OR LARGE HAIL IS LIKELY FOR A FEW LOCATIONS IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THIS STATEMENT MAY BE
UPDATED JUST BEFORE NOON...ESPECIALLY IF THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES IS
GREATER.

A SQUALL LINE IN THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES AT 6 AM WAS MOVING EAST AT
70 MPH.

IF THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS HOLDS TOGETHER AND MAINTAINS ITS
CURRENT SPEED...IT WILL BARREL THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BETWEEN
2 AND 5 PM.  THERE ALREADY HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF WINDS OVER 70
MPH IN THE GREAT LAKES STATES.

THE MOST LIKELY AREA WHERE POCKETS OF DAMAGING WIND AND POSSIBLY A
TORNADO COULD OCCUR IS FROM THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY OF NORTH
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT NORTH THROUGH WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTO THE FAR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES OF CHESHIRE AND
HILLSBOROUGH.

LIGHTNING WILL CAUSE MANY POWER OUTAGES.

COOLER AIR ON INCREASING SOUTHERLY WINDS OFF THE OCEAN IS EXPECTED
TO REDUCE SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND ALONG THE COAST.
EVEN SO...MARINERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR 50 KNOT WIND GUSTS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON OR EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BRING BRIEF TORRENTIAL RAINS AND POSSIBLY HAIL
IN 1 OR 2 LOCATIONS.

IF A TORNADO OR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS ISSUED LATER TODAY...
YOU SHOULD REVIEW SAFE SHELTER PLANS IN CASE THREATENING WEATHER OR
WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA.

DRAG
Special weather statement, May 31, 6:42 AM EDT, 2 hours 6 minutes before
MAZ002>024-RIZALL-CTZ002>004-NHZ011-012-ANZ230>-237-250-255--010200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT..MINOR CORRECTION NEXT TO LAST PGH..
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
642 AM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

...DAMAGING WIND OR LARGE HAIL IS LIKELY FOR A FEW LOCATIONS IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THIS STATEMENT MAY BE
UPDATED JUST BEFORE NOON...ESPECIALLY IF THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES IS
GREATER.

A SQUALL LINE IN THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES AT 6 AM WAS MOVING EAST AT
70 MPH.

IF THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS HOLDS TOGETHER AND MAINTAINS ITS
CURRENT SPEED...IT WILL BARREL THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BETWEEN
2 AND 5 PM.  THERE ALREADY HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF WINDS OVER 70
MPH IN THE GREAT LAKES STATES.

THE MOST LIKELY AREA WHERE POCKETS OF DAMAGING WIND AND POSSIBLY A
TORNADO COULD OCCUR IS FROM THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY OF NORTH
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT NORTH THROUGH WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTO THE FAR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES OF CHESHIRE AND
HILLSBOROUGH.

LIGHTNING WILL CAUSE MANY POWER OUTAGES.

COOLER AIR ON INCREASING SOUTHERLY WINDS OFF THE OCEAN IS EXPECTED
TO REDUCE SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND ALONG THE COAST.
EVEN SO...MARINERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR 50 KNOT WIND GUSTS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON OR EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BRINGING BRIEF TORRENTIAL RAINS AND POSSIBLY HAIL
TO 1 OR 2 LOCATIONS.

IF A TORNADO OR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS ISSUED LATER TODAY...
YOU SHOULD REVIEW SAFE SHELTER PLANS IN CASE THREATENING WEATHER OR
WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA.

DRAG
Special weather statement, May 31, 6:42 AM EDT, 2 hours 6 minutes before
MAZ002>024-RIZALL-CTZ002>004-NHZ011-012-ANZ230>-237-250-255--010200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT..MINOR CORRECTION NEXT TO LAST PGH..
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
642 AM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

...DAMAGING WIND OR LARGE HAIL IS LIKELY FOR A FEW LOCATIONS IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THIS STATEMENT MAY BE
UPDATED JUST BEFORE NOON...ESPECIALLY IF THE THREAT FOR TORNADOES IS
GREATER.

A SQUALL LINE IN THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES AT 6 AM WAS MOVING EAST AT
70 MPH.

IF THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS HOLDS TOGETHER AND MAINTAINS ITS
CURRENT SPEED...IT WILL BARREL THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BETWEEN
2 AND 5 PM.  THERE ALREADY HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF WINDS OVER 70
MPH IN THE GREAT LAKES STATES.

THE MOST LIKELY AREA WHERE POCKETS OF DAMAGING WIND AND POSSIBLY A
TORNADO COULD OCCUR IS FROM THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY OF NORTH
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT NORTH THROUGH WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
INTO THE FAR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES OF CHESHIRE AND
HILLSBOROUGH.

LIGHTNING WILL CAUSE MANY POWER OUTAGES.

COOLER AIR ON INCREASING SOUTHERLY WINDS OFF THE OCEAN IS EXPECTED
TO REDUCE SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND ALONG THE COAST.
EVEN SO...MARINERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR 50 KNOT WIND GUSTS LATE THIS
AFTERNOON OR EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING IN
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BRINGING BRIEF TORRENTIAL RAINS AND POSSIBLY HAIL
TO 1 OR 2 LOCATIONS.

IF A TORNADO OR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS ISSUED LATER TODAY...
YOU SHOULD REVIEW SAFE SHELTER PLANS IN CASE THREATENING WEATHER OR
WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA.

DRAG

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Rhode Island, 1998Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1998

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.