Alert archive / Massachusetts / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 1, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

March 31, 20264 counties in Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 31, 2026, 8:40 PM EDT for 4 counties in Massachusetts. It was in force for 50 min. 3 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
Mar 31, 2026, 8:40 PM EDT (00:40 UTC)
Expired
Mar 31, 2026, 9:30 PM EDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA, Worcester County, MA

The radar

The Albany radar (KENX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:44 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
Mar 31, 8:50 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG3 Wnw Buckland, MATree down blocking Route 2 around mile marker 26 near Charlemont. Relayed by amateur radio.
Mar 31, 9:00 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sse Buckland, MACorrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 SSE Buckland for time. Tree downed on east buckland rd in Buckland. Relayed by amateur radio.
Mar 31, 9:10 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sse Buckland, MATree downed on east buckland rd in Buckland. Relayed by amateur radio.

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 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 10 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

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 00:00Z, 0.7 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, Albany, NY at 00:00Z on 2026-04-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 12 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, Albany, NY at 00:00Z on 2026-04-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 108 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
12 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-27 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1463 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
234 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

471 
WUUS51 KBOX 010040
SVRBOX
MAC011-013-015-027-010145-
/O.NEW.KBOX.SV.W.0001.260401T0040Z-260401T0145Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
840 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Worcester County in central Massachusetts...
  Northern Hampshire County in western Massachusetts...
  Franklin County in western Massachusetts...
  Northwestern Hampden County in western Massachusetts...

* Until 945 PM EDT.

* At 839 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Stamford to near Cheshire to near Becket,
  moving east at 40 mph. 

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. A wind gust to 
           51 mph was reported in Pittsfield from these 
           thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Deerfield, Monroe,
  Montague, Hadley, Sunderland, Hatfield, Northfield, Williamsburg,
  Huntington, Bernardston, Buckland, Conway, Shelburne, Leverett,
  Erving, and Shutesbury.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4239 7301 4263 7295 4266 7295 4267 7300
      4270 7295 4270 7302 4274 7301 4272 7227
      4263 7228 4236 7240 4226 7300 4231 7300
      4231 7303 4233 7306 4238 7307
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 256DEG 37KT 4274 7303 4254 7309 4234 7317 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Loconto
2 follow-up statements
237 
WWUS51 KBOX 010111
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
911 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

MAC013-015-010120-
/O.CAN.KBOX.SV.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260401T0145Z/
Hampshire MA-Hampden MA-
911 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHERN HAMPSHIRE AND
NORTHWESTERN HAMPDEN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 4272 7227 4263 7228 4242 7237 4241 7248
      4243 7249 4243 7252 4241 7270 4245 7270
      4245 7277 4247 7277 4248 7282 4255 7279
      4273 7278
TIME...MOT...LOC 0110Z 256DEG 37KT 4281 7263 4261 7269 4241 7277 

$$

MAC011-027-010145-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260401T0145Z/
Worcester MA-Franklin MA-
911 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN WORCESTER AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES...

At 910 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Guilford Center to Shelburne to near Williamsburg,
moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

Locations impacted include...
Greenfield, Orange, Deerfield, Montague, Sunderland, Northfield,
Bernardston, Buckland, Conway, Shelburne, Leverett, Erving,
Shutesbury, Ashfield, Colrain, Gill, Whately, Charlemont, Royalston,
and Goshen.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4272 7227 4263 7228 4242 7237 4241 7248
      4243 7249 4243 7252 4241 7270 4245 7270
      4245 7277 4247 7277 4248 7282 4255 7279
      4273 7278
TIME...MOT...LOC 0110Z 256DEG 37KT 4281 7263 4261 7269 4241 7277 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

EM
001 
WWUS51 KBOX 010130
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
930 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

MAC011-027-010139-
/O.CAN.KBOX.SV.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260401T0145Z/
Worcester MA-Franklin MA-
930 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN WORCESTER AND
FRANKLIN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and have exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.

LAT...LON 4272 7227 4263 7228 4242 7237 4241 7248
      4243 7249 4243 7252 4241 7270 4245 7270
      4245 7277 4247 7277 4248 7282 4255 7279
      4273 7278
TIME...MOT...LOC 0128Z 256DEG 37KT 4286 7238 4266 7244 4246 7252 

$$

EM

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.

NWS Boston/Norton, MA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Mar 31, 7:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered showers and thunderstorms this evening with a strong to severe storm possible over western MA
  • Unsettled weather continues into Wednesday and Wednesday Night
  • Milder and unsettled pattern later this week brings showers from time to time along with warmer temperatures for inland locations.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 7:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
733 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated Aviation section.

There is a marginal risk for a strong to severe thunderstorm
this evening, mainly across western MA and CT.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms this evening with a strong to
severe storm possible over western MA

- Unsettled weather continues into Wednesday and Wednesday Night

- Milder and unsettled pattern later this week brings showers from
time to time along with warmer temperatures for inland locations.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Scattered showers and thunderstorms this evening
with a strong to severe storm possible over western MA

Short-wave energy embedded within larger scale zonal flow aloft
will help trigger showers and thunderstorms this evening over
western MA/CT. The latest Convective Outlook from The Storm
Prediction Center places western MA and CT in a marginal risk
for severe storm with a general thunderstorm risk elsewhere in
southern New England.

The overall strength of synoptic forcing for ascent in the
atmosphere will be on the weak side tonight. Furthermore,
instability will be limited to the tune of 250-500 J/Kg of
MLCAPE. While sufficient for thunderstorm development, these
numbers do not present an alarming scenario for severe weather.
Deep layer shear will be strong with 40-50 knots of shear in
the 0-6 km layer. Thus, we have the ingredients needed for a
period of convection.

If we consult the latest suite of hi- resolution model
guidance, we find that 00-06Z (8PM-2AM), will be the best
opportunity for thunderstorms across southern New England. Hi-
res guidance keeps the most robust activity mainly along and
north of the I-90 corridor. CSU ML probabilities give a 5-10%
chance of severe thunderstorm wind gusts or large hail for
western MA. Further east, lightning and periods of heavy
rainfall would be the most likely hazards. Expect thunderstorm activity
to wane after midnight as instability diminishes.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Unsettled weather continues into Wednesday and
Wednesday Night

A wind shift to the west/southwest early Wednesday will support
another mild afternoon in southern New England with many
locations reaching the upper 60s to low 70s. The presence of a
frontal wave moving over The Northeast will continue to keep
things unsettled with intermittent periods of showers expected
during the day Wednesday. A lull in shower activity is expected
Wednesday afternoon, but a cold front sagging south will
support an additional round of showers Wednesday night into
Thursday, mainly along and south of the I-90 corridor. Latest
model guidance resolves the most shower activity over the south
coast of MA and RI. Chillier temperatures settle in Wednesday
night with lows temperatures falling to the 30s by Thursday
morning.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Milder and unsettled pattern later this week brings
showers from time to time along with warmer temperatures for inland
locations.

Beyond Wednesday we're in for a big cooldown as 1040mb high pressure
moves into Nova Scotia and surface winds veer to the northeast
pushing a cold front the rest of the way through the region. This,
combined with stubborn low clouds will keep high temperatures very
cold compared to Wednesday, in the upper 30s and low 40s. This will
be a 30 degree difference in high temperatures for some locations!
The roller coaster continues on Friday as the front lifts back to
the north bringing warmer temps in the 60s and even some 70s by the
weekend. That being said, it remains a very chaotic and dynamic
pattern with SNE sandwiched between a subtropical ridge and east
coast trough so confidence in the temperature forecast is low to
moderate. Same with exact timing and placement of any rainfall
associated with these frontal passages and passing shortwaves. A
generally unsettled pattern with scattered rain showers looks to
hold on through the early part of the weekend before a more
appreciable front and mid level trough move through around
Sunday/Sunday night.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

00Z TAF Update...Moderate confidence.

Backdoor front was settling near a line from ORE-PVD this
evening. MVFR/IFR ceilings with NE winds in its wake will
improve overnight once front lifts back to north. VFR to west of
front with S winds. Watching TSRA moving through eastern NY
which should weaken as it reaches SNE, mainly bringing SHRA and
an embedded TS along and north of I-90 until around midnight.

LLWS expected overnight, especially near coast, with 020 winds
230-240/50-60kt.

Scattered showers expected Wed morning with S/SW winds, then
backdoor front once again drops S during afternoon and evening,
this time to more of southern New England, with wind shift to
N/NE and lowering ceilings to MVFR/IFR. Also expecting a period
of showers, mainly focused near South Coast, later in day.

KBOS Terminal...Moderate confidence in TAF. Timing of
improvement later tonight may be too quick and there is lower
confidence on whether or not IFR cigs return Wed afternoon.

KBDL Terminal...Moderate confidence in TAF but low confidence in
timing of any isolated t-storm risk.

Outlook /Wednesday Night through Sunday/...

Thursday: Mainly MVFR, with areas IFR possible. Breezy. Chance
RA, FZRA likely.

Thursday Night: Mainly MVFR, with areas IFR possible. Chance
RA.

Friday: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Breezy.

Friday Night through Saturday: Breezy. Slight chance RA.

Saturday Night: Breezy. Chance RA.

Sunday: Windy with local gusts up to 30 kt. RA likely.

&&

.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

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

Moderate southwest winds overnight between 15 and 25 knots with
strongest winds over the outer south coastal waters. A few
marginal gale force gusts are possible. SCY in place through
tomorrow night. Seas remain elevated over the southern marine
zones as well but gradually subside from 7-10 feet Wednesday
morning to 4-6 feet by Wednesday evening. Winds shift to the
northeast Wednesday night into Thursday but remain moderately
strong with sustained winds between 15 and 20 knots.

Outlook /Wednesday Night through Sunday/...

Thursday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up
to 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft. Chance of rain.

Thursday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas
approaching 5 ft. Chance of rain.

Friday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up
to 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft.

Friday Night: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft.

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

Saturday Night: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
local gusts up to 30 kt. Seas up to 5 ft. Slight chance of
rain.

Sunday: Strong winds with gusts up to 30 kt. Areas of rough
seas. Chance of rain.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for ANZ231-
     250.
     Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EDT Wednesday for ANZ232>235-
     237.
     Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Wednesday for ANZ236.
     Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ254>256.

&&

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

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 1, 1:04 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryBOX47 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Massachusetts, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.