Excessive Heat and High Wind in Massachusetts, December 17, 2000

A rapidly strengthening low pressure system west of New England brought a period of damaging southerly winds to much of the Bay State, as lines of showers passed through southern New England. The warm southerly winds boosted the temperature to 64 degrees at Logan International Airport in Boston, which broke the previous record high for the date of 62 degrees set in 1984. Following the passage of a strong cold front later in the day, increasing northwest winds caused damage over the same areas. Most of the damage was concentrated in eastern Massachusetts, and also in the higher terrain surrounding the Connecticut River. There were countless reports of downed trees, tree limbs, and wires. Over 11,000 electric customers were left without power. Ferry service between Hyannis and Nantucket was suspended for a time due to the high winds and rough seas. A peak wind gust to 78 mph was reported at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton. Other official high wind gusts included 70 mph on Nantucket, 61 mph in Hyannis, and 59 mph in Worcester.The remainder of central and western Massachusetts experienced winds gusting between 45 and 55 mph, and damage reports were more scattered in nature. About 2,400 electric customers in that part of the state were left without power, due to downed tree limbs and wires. Minor flooding was also reported early in the day from locally heavy rainfall.