Alert archive / Massachusetts / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 10, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

August 3, 2026Bristol County, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; Bristol County, Newport County, Rhode Island

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 3, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT for Bristol County, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; Bristol County, Newport County, Rhode Island. It was in force for 105 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
Aug 3, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT (16:00 UTC)
Expired
Aug 3, 2026, 1:45 PM EDT
In force
105 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Bristol County, MA, Plymouth County, MA, Bristol County, RI, Newport County, RI

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:00 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 3, 12:08 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD0 Sw Warren, RIIn Warren, Child St was flooded.
Aug 3, 12:30 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD0 W Swansea, MAIn Swansea, several areas of Rt 6 were flooded out.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 8 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 12:00Z, 4.0 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-08-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1129 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 2026-08-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 250 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
1129 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
460 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
250 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
249 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.3
Supercell composite
6.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

470 
WGUS51 KBOX 031600
FFWBOX
MAC005-023-RIC001-005-031900-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FF.W.0010.260803T1600Z-260803T1900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1200 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Norton has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts...
  West Central Plymouth County in southeastern Massachusetts...
  Eastern Bristol County in Rhode Island...
  Newport County in Rhode Island...

* Until 300 PM EDT.

* At noon EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
  rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have 
  fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible 
  in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Fall River, Taunton, Dartmouth, North Kingstown, Newport, Bristol, 
  Middleborough, Somerset, Portsmouth, Middletown, Swansea, 
  Tiverton, Westport, Raynham, Rehoboth, Warren, Lakeville, 
  Freetown, Dighton and Berkley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 4153 7142 4154 7143 4155 7142 4155 7143
      4192 7111 4186 7090 4148 7115 4152 7141

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

FT
1 follow-up statement
810 
WGUS71 KBOX 031745
FFSBOX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
145 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

MAC005-023-RIC001-005-031755-
/O.CAN.KBOX.FF.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260803T1900Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Bristol MA-Plymouth MA-Bristol RI-Newport RI-
145 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL BRISTOL, WEST 
CENTRAL PLYMOUTH, EASTERN BRISTOL AND NEWPORT COUNTIES...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to 
heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4153 7142 4154 7143 4155 7142 4155 7143
      4192 7111 4186 7090 4148 7115 4152 7141

$$

FT

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Boston/Norton, MA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 3, 7:28 AM EDT, 4 hours 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A cold front brings the return of heavy rain and gusty winds Sunday night and Monday. Localized flash flooding possible.
  • After a quiet Tuesday unsettled weather returns mid week through the weekend with periods of showers and storms.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 7:28 AM EDT, 4 hours 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
728 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A cold front brings the return of heavy rain and gusty winds
Sunday night and Monday. Localized flash flooding possible.

- After a quiet Tuesday unsettled weather returns mid week through
the weekend with periods of showers and storms.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...A cold front brings the return of heavy rain and
gusty winds Monday.

An anomalously deep upper trough digging into the Ohio Valley will
become cutoff as the broader longwave trough axis works its way
slowly east. Its trough axis will cross over southern New England
Monday night into Tuesday ushering in a much quiet and drier period.
Before that, however, we'll be dealing with a very moist and dynamic
system for the next 18-24 hours. This, as the shortwave and surface
reflection pull copious amounts of moisture north into New England
on strengthening SW flow (PWATs 2+ inches) with a 40-55 kt LLJ
strengthening as it's core moves over the Cape and islands.
Fortunately, even though BUFKIT soundings show 55kts down to about
925mb, the low level inversion should keep the worst aloft.
Regardless, it will be a gusty day, especially over southeast MA.
While some brief stronger gusts can't be ruled out, they are more
than likely to top out around 40 mph on Cape Cod.

Regardless of its impact at the surface, said LLJ will certainly act
as a strong forcing mechanism for our heavy rain. This together with
divergence aloft/placement beneath the RRQ of an upper jet will lead
to broad, deep layer ascent and widespread rain showers and
thunderstorms. Continuing to expect an initial round of moderate to
heavy rain showers this morning into the afternoon which has already
begun to materialize. The atmosphere is primed for some heavy
downpours and while we can't nail down exactly who will see these
downpours, any convection would lead to a better chance of those
higher rain rates hinted at by the HREF (low probability of as much
as 1+/hr).

There's unlikely to be a real break in the showers and embedded
thunderstorms but any pockets of clearing skies between showers may
lead to increased instability parameters and a better chance for one
of these thunderstorms to become severe as a final source of forcing
arrives in the evening in the form of a cold front. Any storms that
do get going will be in an environment with 30-45 kts of 0-6km bulk
shear meaning potential for organization and some damaging wind
potential.

When all is said and done (ending in western MA by 8pm, eastern MA
by midnight) a widespread 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain is expected.
That being said, convective enhancement and potential for training
thanks to boundary-parallel mean flow mean that localized areas
could see significantly more, on the order of 3-4 inches. This
amount, especially if it falls in a short period, may lead to street
flooding and even isolated flash flooding situations. However, we
don't expect a widespread flash flooding risk with this system.

KEY MESSAGE 2...After a quiet Tuesday unsettled weather returns mid
week through the weekend with periods of showers and storms.

After a beautiful, mostly sunny, less humid day on Tuesday under
high pressure ridging, unsettled weather returns Wednesday into the
weekend. A broad mid level trough sets up over the eastern U.S. with
several shortwaves rotating through the base of the broader trough
and this will bring periodic rain and thunderstorm chances each day,
especially in the afternoon/evening.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

12Z TAF Update:

Today: Moderate confidence.

IFR/LIFR in RA/+RA through the day. Embedded storms possible
within the first few rounds of rain 12-21Z. Another round of
scattered thunderstorms likely pushes through from west to east
19Z-00Z ahead of the approaching cold front. Wind shear likely
continues in the east/southeast terminals during the day. SW
winds 10-20 kts with gusts 20-30 kts. Could see period in the
afternoon that winds gust 25-35 kts for the east and especially
SE terminals if we clear out before the early evening round of
storms.

Monday night: High confidence.

SHRA/TSRA will be pushing out of eastern terminals between 00-03Z
leaving VFR conditions with light W wind.

Tuesday: High confidence.

VFR. Winds 5-10 kts, first W then becoming SW after 18Z.

KBOS Terminal...Moderate confidence in TAF.

Expect steadiest precipitation between 14-18Z with intermittent
SHRA thereafter. Low confidence in TSRA, but thunder will be
possible for the duration of the day.

KBDL Terminal...Moderate confidence in TAF.

Outlook /Tuesday through Friday/...

Tuesday through Tuesday Night: VFR.

Wednesday through Wednesday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.

Thursday through Thursday Night: VFR. Breezy. Slight chance
SHRA, slight chance TSRA.

Friday: VFR. Breezy. Chance SHRA, chance TSRA.

&&

.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

Winds and seas increase into early this morning across the
southern and eastern waters eventually increasing across the
northern waters. Seas 5-9 ft for the outer coastal waters,
especially south. 5-7 ft seas stretch into portions of the inner
souther waters. SW winds 15-20 kts with gusts around 30 kts.
Can't rule out a few isolated gusts near Gale-force late
morning-afternoon if winds mix down from the low level jet
overhead. SCAs are in effect for all the coastal marine zones.
Elevated seas will keep SCAs around through Tuesday for the
southern waters.

A high surf advisory is in effect for the south coast and
islands Tuesday. A strong 35-45 kt southerly low level jet will
help build waves 5-9 ft across the waters of RI and south of
MVY-ACK Monday. Rough surf and strong rips are likely to linger
into Tuesday. Will have to watch this as Tuesday is shaping up
to be an ideal beach day.

Outlook /Tuesday through Friday/...

Tuesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft.

Tuesday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching
5 ft.

Wednesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching
5 ft.

Wednesday Night: Winds less than 25 kt.

Thursday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft.

Thursday Night through Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of
seas approaching 5 ft.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...High Surf Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for MAZ023-024.
RI...High Surf Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for RIZ006>008.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for ANZ230-
     236.
     Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for ANZ231-
     251.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Tuesday for ANZ232>234.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Tuesday for ANZ235-237.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Tuesday for ANZ250-254.
     Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Tuesday for ANZ255-256.

&&

DISCUSSION...BW
AVIATION...BW/RM
MARINE...BW

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 3, 6:59 AM EDT, 5 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
659 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0656 AM     Flash Flood      2 NW Agawam             42.09N 72.64W
08/03/2026                   Hampden            MA   Law Enforcement

            In Agawam, White Brook (also known as Deep
            Guttar Brook) was out of its banks and
            flooding North St with a car stuck in the
            flooding. Relayed by amateur radio.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 7:09 AM EDT, 4 hours 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
709 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0705 AM     Flash Flood      2 NE Agawam             42.08N 72.59W
08/03/2026                   Hampden            MA   Law Enforcement

            In Agawam, the Rt 5 underpass was flooded
            and impassable with a car stuck in the
            flooding. Relayed by amateur radio.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 7:23 AM EDT, 4 hours 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
723 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0640 AM     Flash Flood      2 N Enfield             41.99N 72.57W
08/03/2026                   Hartford           CT   Law Enforcement

            In Enfield, Cranbrook Blvd at Freshwater
            Blvd was closed due to flooding. Relayed by
            amateur radio.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 10:56 AM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1056 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0650 AM     Flash Flood      Farmington              41.72N 72.83W
08/03/2026                   Hartford           CT   Trained Spotter

            In Farmington, several sections of Route 10
            with flooding depth of 1 foot on Route 10 at
            the Farmington/Plainville CT town line.
            Relayed by amateur radio.

0720 AM     Flash Flood      Southington             41.60N 72.88W
08/03/2026                   Hartford           CT   Trained Spotter

            In Southington, I-84 - right lane near the
            west street exit has significant street
            flooding. Relayed by amateur radio.

0724 AM     Flash Flood      Springfield             42.12N 72.54W
08/03/2026                   Hampden            MA   Law Enforcement

            In Springfield, East Page Boulevard at I-291
            - cars stuck in street flooding. Relayed by
            amateur radio.

0745 AM     Flash Flood      Princeton               42.45N 71.87W
08/03/2026                   Worcester          MA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            In Princeton, flooded basement to 1 foot
            depth on Allen Hill Road. Relayed by amateur
            radio.

0747 AM     Flash Flood      Leominster              42.52N 71.77W
08/03/2026                   Worcester          MA   Law Enforcement

            In Leominster, car stuck in street flooding
            Lancaster Street by Graham Street. West
            Street at Hillary Road - car stuck in flood
            waters and up to the passenger compartment -
            person needs assistance getting out of the
            car. Union Street closed due to flooding.
            Washington street at Washington square
            closed due to flooding. Relayed by amateur
            radio.

0752 AM     Flash Flood      Lunenburg               42.59N 71.73W
08/03/2026                   Worcester          MA   Law Enforcement

            In Lunenburg, Electric Avenue between West
            Street at Whalom Road - cars stuck in street
            flooding. Sunny Hill Road between West
            Street and Massachusetts Avenue flooded and
            impassable. Relayed by amateur radio.

0822 AM     Flash Flood      Fitchburg               42.59N 71.82W
08/03/2026                   Worcester          MA   Law Enforcement

            In Fitchburg, Wanoosnoc Road at North Main
            Street, significant flooding pouring out of
            the manhole covers and one manhole cover
            popped off and cannot be put back on.
            Relayed by amateur radio.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 10:59 AM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1059 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0627 AM     Rain             3 N Canton              41.86N 72.89W
08/03/2026  M2.00 Inch       Hartford           CT   Trained Spotter

0857 AM     Rain             3 NW Townsend           42.70N 71.75W
08/03/2026  M2.04 Inch       Middlesex          MA   Trained Spotter

0949 AM     Rain             1 NW Lexington          42.45N 71.24W
08/03/2026  M1.23 Inch       Middlesex          MA   Trained Spotter

0956 AM     Rain             1 NE Lunenburg          42.60N 71.72W
08/03/2026  M3.39 Inch       Worcester          MA   Amateur Radio

&&
Local storm report, Aug 3, 11:00 AM EDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
1100 AM EDT Mon Aug 3 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0744 AM     Flash Flood      3 WSW Springfield       42.10N 72.59W
08/03/2026                   Hampden            MA   Emergency Mngr

            Springfield EM reported substantial flooding
            in Springfield including flooding beneath
            overpasses on route 5.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 3, 5:55 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningBOXHampden, Hampshire3 hr
Aug 3, 6:49 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningBOXMiddlesex, Worcester3 hr
Aug 3, 8:15 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningBOXBristol6 hr
Aug 3, 2:43 PM EDTRip Current StatementBOXBristol, Dukes, Nantucket30 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Massachusetts, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Rhode Island, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.