Alert archive / Massachusetts / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2012

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 15, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

May 29, 2012Middlesex County, Worcester County, Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 29, 2012, 9:14 PM EDT for Middlesex County, Worcester County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 39 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 29, 2012, 9:14 PM EDT (01:14 UTC)
Expired
May 29, 2012, 9:53 PM EDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Middlesex County, MA, Worcester County, MA

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:13 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 29, 9:28 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGWorcester, MATREES AND WIRES DOWN ON SUNNY HILL DRIVE
May 29, 9:30 PM EDTHAIL 0.75Boylston, MA

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Chatham, MA (KCHH), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 155 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 2012-05-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 416 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, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 2012-05-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 11 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
416 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-300 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
862 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-42 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.

302 
WUUS51 KBOX 300114
SVRBOX
MAC017-027-300200-
/O.NEW.KBOX.SV.W.0015.120530T0114Z-120530T0200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
914 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL WORCESTER COUNTY IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF WORCESTER...
  CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF FRAMINGHAM...

* UNTIL 1000 PM EDT

* AT 913 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
  DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
  WEST BOYLSTON...OR 9 MILES NORTH OF WORCESTER...AND WAS MOVING EAST
  AT 20 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...STERLING...BOYLSTON...
  SHREWSBURY...CLINTON...LANCASTER...NORTHBOROUGH...BERLIN...
  WESTBOROUGH...BOLTON...HARVARD...HUDSON...MARLBOROUGH...
  SOUTHBOROUGH...STOW...BOXBOROUGH...ACTON...MAYNARD...WAYLAND...
  SUDBURY...CONCORD AND CARLISLE.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL...AS WELL
AS DEADLY LIGHTNING AND TORRENTIAL RAIN. GET TO SAFE SHELTER NOW...
INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING OR IN A VEHICLE. DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER
TREES. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING. DRIVERS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR PONDING OF WATER AND AVOID
FLOODED ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4255 7131 4226 7136 4222 7189 4247 7193
TIME...MOT...LOC 0114Z 265DEG 19KT 4239 7177

$$

FRANK
5 follow-up statements
568 
WWUS51 KBOX 300118
SVSBOX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
918 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

MAC017-027-300200-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-120530T0200Z/
MIDDLESEX MA-WORCESTER MA-
918 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL WORCESTER AND CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES...

AT 913 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED NEAR WEST BOYLSTON...OR 8 MILES NORTH OF WORCESTER...MOVING
EAST AT 20 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
SHREWSBURY...CLINTON...LANCASTER...NORTHBOROUGH...BERLIN...
WESTBOROUGH...BOLTON...HARVARD...HUDSON...MARLBOROUGH...
SOUTHBOROUGH...STOW...BOXBOROUGH...ACTON...MAYNARD...FRAMINGHAM...
WAYLAND...SUDBURY...CONCORD AND CARLISLE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

&&

LAT...LON 4255 7131 4226 7136 4222 7189 4247 7193
TIME...MOT...LOC 0118Z 265DEG 19KT 4239 7174

$$

FRANK
585 
WWUS51 KBOX 300125
SVSBOX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
925 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

MAC017-027-300200-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-120530T0200Z/
MIDDLESEX MA-WORCESTER MA-
925 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL WORCESTER AND CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES...

AT 923 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED NEAR CLINTON...OR 9 MILES SOUTH OF LEOMINSTER...MOVING EAST
AT 20 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
LANCASTER...NORTHBOROUGH...BERLIN...WESTBOROUGH...BOLTON...HARVARD...
HUDSON...MARLBOROUGH...SOUTHBOROUGH...STOW...BOXBOROUGH...ACTON...
MAYNARD...FRAMINGHAM...WAYLAND...SUDBURY...CONCORD AND CARLISLE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

&&

LAT...LON 4248 7181 4255 7131 4226 7136 4223 7179
TIME...MOT...LOC 0125Z 265DEG 19KT 4239 7169

$$

FRANK
573 
WWUS51 KBOX 300134
SVSBOX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
934 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

MAC017-027-300200-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-120530T0200Z/
MIDDLESEX MA-WORCESTER MA-
934 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL WORCESTER AND CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES...

AT 932 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED NEAR BERLIN...OR 11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LEOMINSTER...MOVING
EAST AT 20 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
BOLTON...HARVARD...HUDSON...MARLBOROUGH...SOUTHBOROUGH...STOW...
BOXBOROUGH...ACTON...MAYNARD...FRAMINGHAM...WAYLAND...SUDBURY...
CONCORD AND CARLISLE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AT 928 PM HAM RADIO REPORTED A LARGE TREE WAS DOWN ON POWERLINES ON 
SUNNY HILL DRIVE IN WORCESTER....SEEK SAFE SHELTER AND STAY AWAY 
FROM WINDOWS!

&&

LAT...LON 4223 7176 4249 7177 4255 7131 4226 7136
TIME...MOT...LOC 0133Z 265DEG 19KT 4239 7163

$$

FRANK
709 
WWUS51 KBOX 300144
SVSBOX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
944 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

MAC017-027-300200-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-120530T0200Z/
MIDDLESEX MA-WORCESTER MA-
944 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL WORCESTER AND CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES...

AT 941 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR SUDBURY...OR 6 MILES
NORTH OF FRAMINGHAM...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WAYLAND...CONCORD AND CARLISLE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

&&

LAT...LON 4225 7160 4251 7162 4255 7131 4226 7136
TIME...MOT...LOC 0143Z 263DEG 23KT 4239 7142

$$

FRANK
665 
WWUS51 KBOX 300153
SVSBOX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
953 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

MAC017-027-300202-
/O.CAN.KBOX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-120530T0200Z/
MIDDLESEX MA-WORCESTER MA-
953 PM EDT TUE MAY 29 2012

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WORCESTER AND
CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE THUNDERSTORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED...SO THE 
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  HOWEVER...IT STILL 
CONTAINS BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL...DANGEROUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING 
AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS.

LAT...LON 4225 7160 4251 7162 4255 7131 4226 7136
TIME...MOT...LOC 0152Z 265DEG 19KT 4240 7149

$$

FRANK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 29, 8:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampden, Worcester37 min
May 29, 8:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXMiddlesex, Worcester42 min
May 29, 9:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXWorcester41 min
May 29, 9:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXNorfolk39 min
May 30, 5:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXFranklin, Hampden, Hampshire49 min
May 30, 5:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementBOXHampden, Hampshire51 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Massachusetts, 2012Every severe thunderstorm warning 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.