Tornado and Hail in Massachusetts, June 2, 2000

Severe thunderstorms moved through much of the Bay State in advance of a strong cold front, causing widespread damage. The storms began in western Massachusetts during the late afternoon, with numerous reports of downed trees, wires, and large hail in Hampshire and Hampden Counties. Hail as large as golf balls was reported in Granby.Northampton received the brunt of the storm damage, where a brief tornado and microburst caused extensive damage and one injury. The tornado, rated F1 on the Fujita Scale with winds of 73 to 112 mph, touched down very briefly at 5 pm EDT in the higher elevations in Leeds, in the northwest section of Northampton. A few minutes later, the same tornado briefly touched down again near Bridge Road in the Pine Brook Farm portion of Northampton. The initial touchdown was only 15 yards wide at its maximum, about one half mile long, and lasted only one minute. It began near Kennedy Road, just to the west of the southern portion of Roberts Meadow Reservoir. It ended on the east side of the reservoir at Reservoir Road. Convergent tree damage was noted in these areas. The majority of the damage from this severe thunderstorm occurred from a very powerful microburst, with estimated winds between 90 and 105 mph, which affected the section of Northampton around Pine Brook Curve, Emily Lane, and Hatfield Street. Straight line wind damage was observed in this area, with large trees snapped in the middle, and in some cases at their bases. Four homes were declared uninhabitable due to large trees which had fell upon them. Hundreds of trees were downed as well as power lines. Hail, ranging in size from quarter to golf ball, accompanied this storm. Amazingly, only one minor injury occurred. A man was struck by a tree which fell into his kitchen, but was spared by his refrigerator, which acted as a shield according to several accounts.In central and eastern Massachusetts, thunderstorm winds downed trees, branches, and power lines throughout many communities in Worcester, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Plymouth Counties. Dime to nickel size hail also accompanied the storms. At Logan International Airport in Boston, a wind gust to 62 mph was reported.About 15,000 electric customers lost power during the storms as they moved through Massachusetts.