Hail and Damaging Winds in Massachusetts, July 20, 1998

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Massachusetts, July 20, 1998
Start: 1998-07-20T15:58
End: 1998-07-20T16:21
Location: Massachusetts

July 20, 1998 · NWS BOX · 6 events in 2 counties and zones

In Hampden County, thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and wires in Holyoke. 5 inch aluminum pipe on a ground plane antenna in Ludlow.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $8,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.

In Hampden County, thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and wires in Holyoke. Also, the strong winds bent a 1.5 inch aluminum pipe on a ground plane antenna in Ludlow. Nickel size hail was reported in Springfield. In Hampshire County, numerous 4-inch diameter tree limbs were reported covering a road in Easthampton. Lightning strikes caused only minor damage, except in Blandford, where two buildings were set on fire. An apartment building sustained extensive damage to the attic and 2nd floor. A shed was set on fire, but was quickly extinguished.

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 125 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hampden

When: July 20, 3:58 PM EST
Where: Hampden County, Holyoke
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.200, -72.620

Thunderstorm Wind, Hampshire

When: July 20, 3:59 PM EST
Where: Hampshire County, Easthampton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.270, -72.680

Lightning, Hampden

When: July 20, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Hampden County, Blandford
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Hampden

When: July 20, 4:13 PM EST
Where: Hampden County, Springfield
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.120, -72.580

Thunderstorm Wind, Hampden

When: July 20, 4:15 PM EST
Where: Hampden County, Holyoke
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.200, -72.620

Thunderstorm Wind, Hampden

When: July 20, 4:21 PM EST
Where: Hampden County, Ludlow
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 42.170, -72.480

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Massachusetts in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Massachusetts, July 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5665691, 5665753, 5665754, 5665755, 5665756, 5665757.