New Hampshire, 1998

Damaging Wind and Lightning Strike in New Hampshire, September 7, 1998

September 7, 1998 · NWS GYX · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Early morning thunderstorms with gusty winds knocked down branches and trees in southeastern Rockingham County. Intense lightning accompanied the storms.

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.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

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 GYX wrote it up.

Early morning thunderstorms with gusty winds knocked down branches and trees in southeastern Rockingham County. Intense lightning accompanied the storms. Trees were reported down in Exeter, North Hampton, Hampton Falls and Rye. In North Hampton, a tree narrowly missed hitting a 14 year-old girl when it crashed through a trailer home. Lightning from the storm struck several residences in the area, igniting small fires. In Strafford, lightning struck a 20 by 30 foot barn, igniting it, and causing it to burn to the ground. In Stratham, lightning ignited a fire in the attic of a historic home and antique shop. Winds in the area were estimated to have gusted to at least 58 mph based on the tree damage.

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:21 UTC.

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Event by event

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

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockingham

When
September 7, 4:20 AM EST to 4:30 AM EST
Where
Rockingham County, Exeter to Rye
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
42.970, -70.930

Lightning, Strafford

When
September 7, 4:20 AM EST
Where
Strafford County, Strafford
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
43.297, -71.029 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New Hampshire in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in New Hampshire, September 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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5676193, 5676194.