Alert archive / Massachusetts / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 20, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

June 26, 2026Hampden County, Hampshire County, Worcester County, Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 26, 2026, 5:09 PM EDT for Hampden County, Hampshire County, Worcester County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 48 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
Jun 26, 2026, 5:09 PM EDT (21:09 UTC)
Expired
Jun 26, 2026, 5:57 PM EDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

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

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:10 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
Jun 26, 5:12 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Se Ludlow, MATree down.
Jun 26, 5:20 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGPalmer, MATree and Wires down on Upper Palmer Road. Time estimated from radar.

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 severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 3 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, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 157 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 2026-06-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 52 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 2026-06-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 281 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
52 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-92 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
712 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
281 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
331 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

944 
WUUS51 KBOX 262109
SVRBOX
MAC013-015-027-262215-
/O.NEW.KBOX.SV.W.0020.260626T2109Z-260626T2215Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
509 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southwestern Worcester County in central Massachusetts...
  Southeastern Hampshire County in western Massachusetts...
  Southeastern Hampden County in western Massachusetts...

* Until 615 PM EDT.

* At 508 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Wilbraham, or
  8 miles east of Springfield, moving east at 15 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Springfield, Chicopee, Ludlow, Southbridge, East Longmeadow,
  Belchertown, Wilbraham, Charlton, Palmer, Stafford, Dudley, Ware,
  Sturbridge, Monson, Granby, Hampden, Warren, West Brookfield,
  Brimfield, and Brookfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4233 7241 4231 7236 4230 7236 4231 7235
      4216 7193 4203 7197 4203 7234 4212 7259
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 291DEG 15KT 4216 7238 

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

$$

Frank
6 follow-up statements
699 
WWUS51 KBOX 262112
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
512 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

MAC013-015-027-262215-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Worcester MA-Hampshire MA-Hampden MA-
512 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN WORCESTER...SOUTHEASTERN HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTHEASTERN
HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

At 512 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Palmer, or 9
miles east of Springfield, moving east at 15 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Ludlow, Southbridge, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Charlton, Palmer,
Dudley, Ware, Sturbridge, Monson, Granby, Hampden, Warren, West
Brookfield, Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, East Brookfield, and
Wales.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4229 7243 4229 7234 4216 7193 4203 7197
      4204 7234 4217 7251
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 291DEG 15KT 4215 7236 

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

$$

Frank
501 
WWUS51 KBOX 262121
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
521 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

MAC013-015-027-262215-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Worcester MA-Hampshire MA-Hampden MA-
521 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN WORCESTER...SOUTHEASTERN HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTHEASTERN
HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

At 521 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Monson, or 11
miles east of Springfield, moving east at 15 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Ludlow, Southbridge, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Charlton, Palmer,
Dudley, Ware, Sturbridge, Monson, Hampden, Warren, West Brookfield,
Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, East Brookfield, and Wales.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4226 7240 4226 7233 4216 7193 4203 7197
      4204 7234 4207 7238 4212 7243
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 291DEG 15KT 4214 7231 

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

$$

Frank
433 
WWUS51 KBOX 262129
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
529 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

MAC013-015-027-262215-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Worcester MA-Hampshire MA-Hampden MA-
529 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN WORCESTER...SOUTHEASTERN HAMPSHIRE AND SOUTHEASTERN
HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

At 528 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Brimfield, or
13 miles east of Springfield, moving east at 15 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Southbridge, Wilbraham, Charlton, Palmer, Dudley, Ware, Sturbridge,
Monson, Hampden, Warren, West Brookfield, Brimfield, Brookfield,
Holland, East Brookfield, and Wales.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4221 7233 4224 7229 4216 7193 4203 7197
      4204 7234 4207 7238 4211 7239
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 291DEG 15KT 4213 7227 

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

$$

Frank
158 
WWUS51 KBOX 262134
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
534 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

MAC015-262142-
/O.CAN.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Hampshire MA-
534 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 4216 7231 4219 7226 4215 7194 4203 7197
      4204 7234 4206 7236 4210 7237
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 291DEG 15KT 4212 7225 

$$

MAC013-027-262215-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Worcester MA-Hampden MA-
534 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN WORCESTER AND SOUTHEASTERN HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

At 532 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Brimfield, or
15 miles east of Springfield, moving east at 15 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated. At 525 PM a tree and wires were reported 
         down in Monson. 

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

Locations impacted include...
Southbridge, Charlton, Palmer, Dudley, Sturbridge, Monson, Warren,
Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, and Wales.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4216 7231 4219 7226 4215 7194 4203 7197
      4204 7234 4206 7236 4210 7237
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 291DEG 15KT 4212 7225 

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

$$

Frank
044 
WWUS51 KBOX 262152
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
552 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

MAC013-027-262215-
/O.CON.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Worcester MA-Hampden MA-
552 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WORCESTER AND SOUTHEASTERN HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

At 552 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Holland, or 20
miles east of Springfield, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Southbridge, Charlton, Dudley, Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland, and
Wales.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4208 7225 4213 7220 4209 7196 4203 7197
      4204 7213 4204 7230 4205 7226
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 291DEG 15KT 4209 7215 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Frank
179 
WWUS51 KBOX 262157
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
557 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

MAC013-027-262207-
/O.CAN.KBOX.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260626T2215Z/
Worcester MA-Hampden MA-
557 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WORCESTER AND
SOUTHEASTERN HAMPDEN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 4208 7225 4213 7220 4209 7196 4203 7197
      4204 7213 4204 7230 4205 7226
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 291DEG 15KT 4208 7212 

$$

Frank

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 Jun 26, 3:26 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Widely scattered thunderstorms possible between 5 pm and midnight, with the greatest risk in northeast MA between 6 and 10 pm. Mainly dry and seasonable Sat outside a few brief spot showers.
  • A few showers possible Sunday. Start of a warming trend.
  • Warm and humid midweek, along with a risk of showers towards the second half of next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 26, 3:26 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
326 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Widely scattered thunderstorms remain possible this evening,
generally in the 5 pm to midnight time frame. Greatest risk for
any thunderstorms will be across northeast MA in the 6 to 10 pm
window.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Widely scattered thunderstorms possible between 5 pm and
  midnight, with the greatest risk in northeast MA between 6 and
  10 pm. Mainly dry and seasonable Sat outside a few brief
  spot showers.

- A few showers possible Sunday. Start of a warming trend.

- Warm and humid midweek, along with a risk of showers towards
  the second half of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Widely scattered thunderstorms possible between
5 pm and midnight, with the greatest risk in northeast MA
between 6 and 10 pm. Mainly dry and seasonable Sat outside a
few brief spot showers.

The main forecast concern continues to revolve around the
potential for widely scattered thunderstorms this evening.

The earlier showers this morning have pretty much departed the
region. Otherwise...we were beginning to some breaks in the
clouds and some partial sunshine trying to overspread the region
this afternoon. This should result in the development of some
instability...surface capes should reach between 1000 and 1500
J/KG across most of the region. Jet dynamics are quite favorable
and the SPC meso-analysis indicates effective bulk shear
increasing to over 50 knots this evening. When these two
ingredients overlap each other conditions are often favorable
for thunderstorm development and severe weather. However...the
big limiting factors in this case are the subsidence behind the
round of showers that crossed the region earlier this morning
and an abundance of mid level dry air. While mid level dry air
can also be favorable for convection...too much of it can cut
off developing updrafts. This is likely the main reason that a
lot of the high resolution guidance is rather limited in its
areal coverage of potential thunderstorm development.

So in a nutshell, a few thunderstorms are possible in the 5 pm
to midnight time frame this evening. Greatest risk though will
be between 6 and 10 pm near the NH border and particularly in
northeast MA. The reason for that is that there is bit better
mid level moisture in that region. This is also indicated by
much of our machine learning guidance etc. So to sum up...a few
thunderstorms will be possible anywhere across southern New
England but the greatest risk will be across northeast MA and
near the NH border. Cloud to ground lightning is the main risk
from any thunderstorms...but localized strong/damaging wind
gusts are certainly possible. Confidence on thunderstorm
development will increase across northeast MA if we see activity
pushing into southeast NH...so this will be a nowcast type of
forecast this evening.

Otherwise...generally dry weather after midnight into Saturday
outside a few brief spot showers with the greatest risk near the
south coast. Partial sunshine on Sat should yield highs mainly
in the upper 70s to the lower 80s...although might be a few
degrees cooler along portions of the immediate eastern MA coast.

KEY MESSAGE 2...A few showers possible Sunday. Start of a
warming trend.

Somewhat of an uncertain forecast for Sunday. Southern New
England is sort of stuck in between a high pressure north of the
Great Lakes and a nearly stationary front just south of New
England. The mid level flow still anticipated to be more on the
troughy side. Overall, looking like at least a risk for a few
afternoon showers. Not impossible for a few thunderstorms, but
the lift looks rather weak, with CAPE values between 200-500
J/kg. Confidence in the detail Sunday is lower than normal for
this time range. Additional forecast changes for Sunday are
possible with later issuances.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Warm and humid midweek, along with a risk of
showers towards the second half of next week.

The main concern for next week remains the threat of hazardous
heat. NBM 90th percentile high temperatures showed reasonable
worst-case scenario high temperatures above 90F for Monday and
Tuesday, with high temperatures over 100F Wednesday through
Friday. The spread in the temperatures within the NBM
percentiles is rather broad. Current forecast highs are more
conservative and possibly underdone. Future upward adjustments
are likely as we get closer in time.

Increased humidity likely as well. Our region should be more
along the periphery of the anticipated heat dome. A shortwave
or two may "roll" along the eastern side of the upper level
ridge, which may bring some unsettled weather for midweek.
Location-specific and refined timing details are not yet known,
though latest guidance is pointing towards sometime between
Tuesday and Thursday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

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

Through This Afternoon...Moderate confidence.

The risk for isolated thunderstorms, some of which may turn
severe, returns in the afternoon primarily after 21z. PROB30s
were included at most terminals to account for this risk.
Highest probs E of ORH. Periods of MVFR visibilities and
ceilings possible with any afternoon showers and storms.
Uncertainty remains in exact location/overall coverage.

Tonight...Moderate confidence.

Showers and storms should clear the region by midnight. Patchy
fog leading to areas of MVFR/IFR may develop overnight across
much of SE MA, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Low stratus also a
possibility, particularly towards the Cape and Islands. Winds
shift more W and go light to calm overnight.

Saturday...Moderate confidence.

Mostly lower end VFR with areas of MVFR. Showers mostly scraping
along the south coast are favored; lower confidence in those
going much further north than that. These may also approach
later in the day than expected. Light winds, with a sea breeze
developing by 14z.

KBOS Terminal...High confidence in TAF.

KBDL Terminal...High confidence in TAF.

Outlook /Sunday through Wednesday/...

Sunday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.

Sunday Night through Monday Night: VFR.

Tuesday: VFR. Breezy. Slight chance SHRA, slight chance TSRA.

Tuesday Night: VFR. Chance SHRA, slight chance TSRA.

Wednesday: VFR. Breezy. Slight chance SHRA, slight chance TSRA.

&&

.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

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

Tonight through Saturday night...High confidence on winds/seas.
Moderate confidence on thunderstorm risk in our northeast MA
waters this evening.

A weak pressure gradient will keep winds/seas below small craft
advisory thresholds through Saturday night. The main concern
will be for scattered thunderstorms potentially impact our
northeast MA adjacent coastal waters this evening. Dangerous
cloud to ground lightning and locally strong wind gusts would be
possible in this region. The greatest risk in the 6 to 10 pm
time frame. Otherwise...areas of fog patches may impact the
waters at times mainly during the overnight and early morning
hours.

Outlook /Sunday through Wednesday/...

Sunday through Tuesday: Winds less than 25 kt.

Tuesday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Chance of rain showers,
slight chance of thunderstorms.

Wednesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching
5 ft. Slight chance of rain showers.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Belk/Frank
AVIATION...Belk/FT
MARINE...Belk/Frank

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 26, 5:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXEssex48 min
Jun 26, 5:56 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBOX64 min

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.