Alert archive / New Hampshire / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 21, NWS Gray, ME
NWS Gray, ME issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 26, 2026, 4:44 PM EDT for Merrimack County, Rockingham County, Strafford County, New Hampshire. It was in force for 61 min. 1 report 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, 4:44 PM EDT (20:44 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 26, 2026, 5:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 61 min
- Issued by
- NWS Gray, ME
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Merrimack County, NH, Rockingham County, NH, Strafford County, NH
The radar
The Portland,ME radar (KGYX), 126 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:43 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 4:44 PM EDT | HAIL 1 | Pembroke, NH | Facebook photo of hail in garden from a Pembroke resident. Time estimated by 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 one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 0 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 2:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Gray, ME (KGYX), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 126 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 921 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 56 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 132 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 121 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
743
WUUS51 KGYX 262044
SVRGYX
NHC013-015-017-262145-
/O.NEW.KGYX.SV.W.0021.260626T2044Z-260626T2145Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Gray ME
444 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
The National Weather Service in Gray Maine has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Rockingham County in southern New Hampshire...
Southern Strafford County in central New Hampshire...
Southeastern Merrimack County in central New Hampshire...
* Until 545 PM EDT.
* At 443 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hooksett, or
8 miles southwest of Northwood, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Manchester, Concord, Derry, Durham, Exeter, Northwood, Dover,
Hooksett, Barrington, Epping, Epsom, Brentwood, Raymond, Newmarket,
Hampstead, Bow, Kingston, Auburn, Chester, and Danville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 293 near mile marker 11.
Interstate 93 between mile markers 24 and 35.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4299 7139 4301 7140 4302 7145 4304 7146
4304 7148 4305 7149 4305 7151 4307 7152
4307 7154 4311 7162 4332 7130 4328 7124
4330 7122 4321 7087 4298 7095 4288 7119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 285DEG 17KT 4312 7134
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
DS4 follow-up statements
710
WWUS51 KGYX 262104
SVSGYX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
504 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
NHC013-015-017-262145-
/O.CON.KGYX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260626T2145Z/
Rockingham NH-Strafford NH-Merrimack NH-
504 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN ROCKINGHAM...SOUTHERN STRAFFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN
MERRIMACK COUNTIES...
At 503 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Raymond, or 11
miles south of Northwood, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Manchester, Derry, Durham, Exeter, Northwood, Dover, Hooksett,
Barrington, Epping, Epsom, Brentwood, Raymond, Newmarket, Hampstead,
Kingston, Auburn, Chester, Danville, Lee, and Allenstown.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 293 near mile marker 11.
Interstate 93 between mile markers 24 and 28.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4305 7150 4311 7146 4326 7126 4330 7122
4321 7087 4298 7095 4288 7119 4299 7139
4301 7140 4302 7145 4304 7146 4304 7148
4305 7149
TIME...MOT...LOC 2103Z 288DEG 23KT 4305 7119
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
DS639
WWUS51 KGYX 262118
SVSGYX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
518 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
NHC013-262128-
/O.CAN.KGYX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260626T2145Z/
Merrimack NH-
518 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MERRIMACK COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
southern and central New Hampshire.
&&
LAT...LON 4299 7139 4305 7138 4311 7135 4312 7114
4314 7089 4298 7095 4288 7119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 290DEG 18KT 4304 7115
$$
NHC015-017-262145-
/O.CON.KGYX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260626T2145Z/
Rockingham NH-Strafford NH-
518 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL ROCKINGHAM AND SOUTH CENTRAL STRAFFORD COUNTIES...
At 518 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Raymond, or 10
miles west of Exeter, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Derry, Durham, Exeter, Epping, Brentwood, Raymond, Newmarket,
Stratham, Hampstead, Kingston, Auburn, Chester, Danville, Lee,
Fremont, Deerfield, Candia, Newfields, Sandown, and Nottingham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4299 7139 4305 7138 4311 7135 4312 7114
4314 7089 4298 7095 4288 7119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 290DEG 18KT 4304 7115
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
DS710
WWUS51 KGYX 262130
SVSGYX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
530 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
NHC017-262140-
/O.CAN.KGYX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260626T2145Z/
Strafford NH-
530 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL STRAFFORD COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
southern New Hampshire.
&&
LAT...LON 4308 7107 4307 7092 4298 7095 4291 7113
4292 7119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2130Z 310DEG 42KT 4297 7102
$$
NHC015-262145-
/O.CON.KGYX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260626T2145Z/
Rockingham NH-
530 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL ROCKINGHAM COUNTY...
At 530 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Brentwood, or
near Exeter, moving southeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Exeter, Epping, Brentwood, Newmarket, Kingston, Danville, Fremont,
Newfields, and Sandown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4308 7107 4307 7092 4298 7095 4291 7113
4292 7119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2130Z 310DEG 42KT 4297 7102
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
DS145
WWUS51 KGYX 262139
SVSGYX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
539 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
NHC015-262148-
/O.EXP.KGYX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260626T2145Z/
Rockingham NH-
539 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL ROCKINGHAM COUNTY WILL
EXPIRE AT 545 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
southern New Hampshire.
&&
LAT...LON 4308 7107 4307 7092 4298 7095 4291 7113
4292 7119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2138Z 285DEG 17KT 4296 7097
$$
DSWhat 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 Gray, ME wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jun 26, 2:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Chances for showers and thunderstorms increase this afternoon. Some storms could be strong to severe with damaging winds and hail as the primary hazards. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Central and Southern New Hampshire and far southwest Maine. Fog could then be dense in some areas tonight. 2. A trough exits New England Sunday through Monday. 3. A substantial warming trend follows through the remainder of the week next week as a ridge builds across the eastern half of the US. The potential for hazardous heat is increasing for mid to late week next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 26, 2:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 251 PM EDT Fri Jun 26 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through 9pm this evening for most of New Hampshire and York County, Maine. Heat looks increasingly likely for midweek next week. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1. Chances for showers and thunderstorms increase this afternoon. Some storms could be strong to severe with damaging winds and hail as the primary hazards. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Central and Southern New Hampshire and far southwest Maine. Fog could then be dense in some areas tonight. 2. A trough exits New England Sunday through Monday. 3. A substantial warming trend follows through the remainder of the week next week as a ridge builds across the eastern half of the US. The potential for hazardous heat is increasing for mid to late week next week. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION... Earlier rains have shifted off to the east as broad low pressure approaches from the west this afternoon. Increasing lift and instability will allow additional showers and thunderstorms to form this afternoon, and this is already underway just upstream across upstate NY and approaching VT. Diving in a little deeper, latest SPC Mesoanalysis depicts roughly 1000 J/kg of SBCAPE and 40-50 kt of effect shear across much of NH and portions of far western ME, that will be sufficient to support some of these storms becoming strong to severe as the develop or move into the area. Damaging winds and hail 1" or larger in diameter will be the primary hazards, but a brief tornado or two can't be completely ruled out. A Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) from the SPC continues for all of NH and into portions of western ME, but within this Marginal Risk area, the higher risk appears to be roughly along the CT River Valley extending into central and southern NH and far southwestern ME where the better overlap in shear/instability is forecast to be SPC recently upgraded this higher risk area to a Slight Risk level 2/5, which is also where a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 9PM this evening. Another potential hazard is the risk for flash flooding within slow-moving persistent showers/storms or where multiple rounds occur. One area to watch in particular is in and around the NH Lakes Region, where 1-2" of rain already fell overnight and this morning around Lake Winnipesaukee. Showers and storms will lessen in coverage and intensity toward sunset, but the HRRR suggests a couple of showers or storms may for an hour or two after. Other than a few upslope showers in the mountains overnight, the rest of the area is expected to remain dry. With light winds and saturated grounds from today's rain, most of the area has fog in the forecast. Fog could be dense in some areas with the higher probabilities of this occurring in western ME. Drier conditions are forecast for Saturday with light winds and seasonable temperatures in the 70s to lower 80s. Aloft, weak troughing will still be overhead, so as daytime instability builds scattered showers and isolated storms will develop from late morning and through the afternoon hours before waning toward sunset. A couple of storms could produce small hail. There are also indications of slower-moving storms and heavy downpours, so the next shift may to take another look at potential hydro issues. Light winds Saturday night will again promote patchy fog, especially in valley and areas that receive rain during the day. Overnight temps will be in the 50s. KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION... The influence of the lingering trough will still be felt on Sunday with increased chances for pop up showers and storms during the afternoon hours. The best chance for these will be across the higher terrain and central Maine, with generally lower chances toward western New Hampshire. Temperatures also begin to rebound with relatively more sunshine on Sunday. Central and southern New Hampshire likely warm into the low to mid 80s, with mainly 70s expected elsewhere. By Monday, chances for showers drop off significantly as the trough exists to the east, and the warm up begins. Highs are expected to warm into the 80s across most of the region, with a sea breeze knocking back temps along the coast by the afternoon hours. KEY MESSAGE 3 DESCRIPTION... The main warm up then gets underway by Tuesday as a highly amplified ridge builds across the Midwest and Great Lakes. New England looks to be positioned on the eastern portion of this ridge, but the trend since yesterday has been for the ridge to set up a little further east. This progression has been supported by the full suite of the Euro, Euro Ensembles, and AIFS models. The GFS has been a cool outlier, but looks to be following the way of the Euro on it's latest run. We'll continue to monitor for any changes in trends over the next few runs. This pattern supports at least a couple days of widespread highs in the 90s, and potentially more days should the ridge remain amplified enough to ward any backdoor fronts or retrograding trough from the Canadian Maritimes. Tuesday looks like the potential first day of 90s reaching into southern New Hampshire. Wednesday and Thursday then bring the potential for the most widespread heat with highs into the 90s across much of the area. This heat also brings with it some deep moisture originating from the Gulf of Mexico, and transiting through the Midwest and Great Lakes. This brings dew points into the upper 60s and 70s, combining with highs in the 90s to bring heat indices potentially into the triple digits. This pattern progression is a reversal from the trends seen yesterday, but appears substantial and consistent enough across most of the model suites to be believed. This weekend would be a good time to get any air conditioners and fans set up before the most substantial heat and humidity of the year arrives. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Through Saturday...RKD may stay LIFR to IFR this afternoon with MVFR to VFR cigs elsewhere. Showers and storms could also produce MVFR to IFR restrictions along with gusty winds, especially for the southern NH terminals and maybe PWM. For tonight, IFR to LIFR from fog and low stratus will be likely over much of western ME, but fog and low stratus may bring IFR elsewhere overnight. Improvement to VFR is expected Saturday morning, which will prevail most of the day. TEMPO MVFR possible from scattered SHRA and isolated TSRA in the afternoon. Outlook: Saturday night: Mainly VFR. IFR/LIFR possible from valley fog at HIE, LEB, and CON. Sunday: Mainly VFR, but brief restrictions in showers and storms possible across northern and eastern terminals. Sunday Night - Tuesday: Mainly VFR, but nighttime valley fog possible. Tuesday night - Thursday: Mainly VFR, but rounds of showers and storms possible at times. && .MARINE... Through Saturday night...Conditions will remain below SCA levels through Saturday night. Southerly flow continues into this evening as low pressure approaches from the west. This low will bring an ongoing chance of rain showers into this evening along with the possibility of offshore-moving thunderstorms, especially from around Casco Bay southward. Winds briefly turn light and north to northwest tonight and then will be more light and variable in direction Saturday and Saturday night. Extended...Generally fair conditions are expected as broad high pressure gradually build across the waters early to midweek next week. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None. && DISCUSSION...Combs/Clair
The office that day
Everything else NWS Gray, ME issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 3:58 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GYX | Coos | 62 min |
| Jun 26, 4:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GYX | Grafton, Merrimack, Sullivan | 53 min |
| Jun 26, 5:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GYX | Hillsborough, Merrimack | 63 min |
| Jun 26, 5:29 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GYX | Rockingham | 46 min |
| Jun 26, 6:28 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GYX | Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham | 47 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in New Hampshire, 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.