Alert archive / Massachusetts / Flash Flood Watches in 2012

Flash Flood Watch 3, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

August 5, 2012Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Massachusetts; Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut; Cheshire County, New Hampshire

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this flash flood watch at Aug 5, 2012, 4:03 AM EDT for Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Massachusetts; Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut; Cheshire County, New Hampshire. It took effect at Aug 5, 2012, 2:00 PM EDT. It was in force for 9 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 5, 2012, 4:03 AM EDT (08:03 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 5, 2012, 2:00 PM EDT
Expired
Aug 5, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Flood severity
None

Counties Capitol Planning Region, CT, Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA, Cheshire County, NH

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:00 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

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 00:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 112 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, Albany, NY at 00:00Z on 2012-08-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 991 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albany, NY at 00:00Z on 2012-08-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 12 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
991 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1709 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
9 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.

327 
WGUS61 KBOX 050803
FFABOX

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
403 AM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE TONIGHT...

.ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY DOWNPOURS MAY DEVELOP LATE THIS
AFTERNOON. THEN...MORE WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL
MOVE INTO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT. A FEW OF THE THUNDERSTORMS
MAY CONTAIN EXCESSIVE RAINFALL.

CTZ002-MAZ002-003-008>011-NHZ011-051615-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FF.A.0003.120805T1800Z-120806T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HARTFORD CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-CHESHIRE NH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...CHARLEMONT...
GREENFIELD...ORANGE...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...
NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...JAFFREY...KEENE
403 AM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...
  WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...INCLUDING THE
  FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...HARTFORD COUNTY. IN
  WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS...FRANKLIN...HAMPDEN AND HAMPSHIRE
  COUNTIES. IN SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...CHESHIRE COUNTY.

* FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT MAY PRODUCE
  LOCALIZED AREAS OF EXCESSIVE RAINFALL LEADING TO RAPID FLOODING
  OF SOME SMALL STREAMS OR POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. 

* IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY
  DOWNPOURS COULD POSE A FLASH FLOOD RISK LATE THIS AFTERNOON. THE
  HIGHEST RISK FOR LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING WILL BE THIS EVENING
  WHEN MORE ORGANIZED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE INTO
  SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND WESTERN
  CONNECTICUT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$

THOMPSON
3 follow-up statements
036 
WGUS61 KBOX 051517
FFABOX

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1117 AM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE TONIGHT...

.ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY DOWNPOURS MAY DEVELOP LATE
THIS AFTERNOON. THEN...MORE WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT. A FEW OF THE
THUNDERSTORMS MAY CONTAIN EXCESSIVE RAINFALL.

CTZ002-MAZ002-003-008>011-NHZ011-052330-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.A.0003.120805T1800Z-120806T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HARTFORD CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-CHESHIRE NH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...CHARLEMONT...
GREENFIELD...ORANGE...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...
NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...JAFFREY...KEENE
1117 AM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND
  SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...IN
  NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...HARTFORD CT. IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS...
  FRANKLIN MA...HAMPDEN MA AND HAMPSHIRE MA. IN SOUTHERN NEW
  HAMPSHIRE...CHESHIRE NH.

* THROUGH MONDAY MORNING

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT MAY PRODUCE 
  LOCALIZED AREAS OF EXCESSIVE RAINFALL LEADING TO RAPID 
  FLOODING OF SOME SMALL STREAMS OR POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. 

* IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY 
  DOWNPOURS COULD POSE A FLASH FLOOD RISK LATE THIS AFTERNOON. 
  THE HIGHEST RISK FOR LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING WILL BE THIS 
  EVENING WHEN MORE ORGANIZED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE 
  INTO SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND 
  WESTERN CONNECTICUT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$
792 
WGUS61 KBOX 051950
FFABOX

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
350 PM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE TONIGHT...

.ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY DOWNPOURS MAY DEVELOP LATE
THIS AFTERNOON. THEN...MORE WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT. A FEW OF THE
THUNDERSTORMS MAY CONTAIN EXCESSIVE RAINFALL.

CTZ002-MAZ002-003-008>011-NHZ011-060400-
/O.CON.KBOX.FF.A.0003.000000T0000Z-120806T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HARTFORD CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-CHESHIRE NH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...CHARLEMONT...
GREENFIELD...ORANGE...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...
NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...JAFFREY...KEENE
350 PM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND
  SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...IN
  NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...HARTFORD. IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS...
  FRANKLIN...HAMPDEN AND HAMPSHIRE. IN SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...
  CHESHIRE.

* THROUGH MONDAY MORNING

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT MAY PRODUCE 
  LOCALIZED AREAS OF EXCESSIVE RAINFALL LEADING TO RAPID 
  FLOODING OF SOME SMALL STREAMS OR POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. 

* IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY 
  DOWNPOURS COULD POSE A FLASH FLOOD RISK LATE THIS AFTERNOON. 
  THE HIGHEST RISK FOR LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING WILL BE THIS 
  EVENING WHEN MORE ORGANIZED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE 
  INTO SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND 
  WESTERN CONNECTICUT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$
153 
WGUS61 KBOX 060243
FFABOX

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1043 PM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...FLOOD WATCH CANCELED...

CTZ002-MAZ002-003-008>011-NHZ011-060345-
/O.CAN.KBOX.FF.A.0003.000000T0000Z-120806T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
HARTFORD CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-CHESHIRE NH-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...CHARLEMONT...
GREENFIELD...ORANGE...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...
NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...JAFFREY...KEENE
1043 PM EDT SUN AUG 5 2012

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS BEEN
CANCELLED. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN
POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT. WHILE BRIEF
HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE...THE THREAT FOR FLOODING RAINS IS
GREATLY DIMINISHED. AS A RESULT...THE FLOOD WATCH FOR WESTERN
PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

$$

NMB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 4:08 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryBOX27 hr
Aug 5, 2:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampden, Hampshire58 min
Aug 5, 3:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXFranklin, Hampshire, Worcester42 min
Aug 5, 3:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXWorcester57 min
Aug 5, 4:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXHampden40 min
Aug 5, 4:38 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXMiddlesex, Worcester47 min
Aug 5, 5:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXHampden, Worcester40 min
Aug 5, 5:30 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX51 min
Aug 5, 5:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXWorcester29 min
Aug 5, 7:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampden83 min
Aug 5, 2:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOX61 min
Aug 5, 4:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXCapitol Planning Region47 min
Aug 5, 5:13 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXCapitol Planning Region3 hr
Aug 5, 5:57 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOXCapitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region3 hr
Aug 5, 6:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXCapitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region18 min
Aug 5, 3:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHillsborough64 min
Aug 5, 3:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHillsborough59 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Watches in Massachusetts, 2012Flash Flood Watches in Connecticut, 2012Flash Flood Watches in New Hampshire, 2012Every flash flood watch in 2012

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.