Damaging Winds in Massachusetts, July 21, 2003

Name: Damaging Winds in Massachusetts, July 21, 2003
Start: 2003-07-21T19:58
End: 2003-07-21T20:00
Location: Massachusetts

July 21, 2003 · NWS ALY · 6 events in 1 county or zone

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $19,000
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 ALY wrote it up.

A large upper air trough dug across the western Great Lakes on Monday, July 21. At the surface, a deep low pressure area moved across the eastern Great Lakes, driving a warm front across western New England during the evening hours. The air became very unstable in the warm air mass behind the front. The remnants of the second line of storms from eastern New York moved into Berkshire County during the evening. Winds from severe thunderstorms knocked down numerous trees and some power lines in the towns of Lenox Dale, Lanesborough, Pittsfield, Stockbridge, West Otis and Williamstown. A tree and wires fell on a top of a vehicle in Pittsfield, temporarily trapping the driver inside, who was unharmed. The storm knocked out power to an estimated one thousand customers.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Albany, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 21, 2:45 PM EST, 5 hours 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 2:45 PM EST, 5 hours 13 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
345 PM EDT MON JUL 21 2003

.DISC...WATCHES AND WARNING BEING ISSUED AT THIS TIME SO WILL BE
BRIEF.  HAVEN/T CHANGED MUCH FROM THE PREVIOUS FCST.
CATEGORICAL/LIKELY POPS TONIGHT AND TUESDAY. CHANCE POPS TUESDAY
NITE INTO EARLY WED...THEN LIKELY POPS WED AFTN INTO WED NITE.

.HYDROLOGICAL DISCUSSION...TOTAL PCPN VALUES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS
COULD REACH AS HIGH AS 3-4 INCHES IN SOME LOCATIONS...BUT WILL BE
SPREAD OUT OVER 3 DAYS.  THIS AMOUNT OF PCPN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF
TIME SHOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOOD PROBLEMS.
HOWEVER...WILL NEED TO WATCH FOR TIMES WHEN HEAVY PCPN MAY BE
CONCENTRATED INTO A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME...OR FLASH FLOODING CAUSED
BY LOCALIZED HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS.

.ALY...NONE.

MAGLARAS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 3:30 AM EST, 16 hours 28 minutes before

CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ032-033-038>043-047>054-058>061-063>066-
082>084-VTZ013>015-220830-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
430 AM EDT MON JUL 21 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN NEW YORK AND ADJACENT
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

.DAY ONE...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER TODAY.  THE
PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG WINDS AND DAMAGING
HAIL.  ALSO OF CONCERN IS LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL THROUGH TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THOUGH SEVEN...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER THE POTENTIAL
FOR SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL...WITH SEVERAL INCHES POSSIBLE IN LOCALIZED
AREAS...IS POSSIBLE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED BEGINNING THIS AFTERNOON.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 4:34 PM EST, 3 hours 24 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP A
0535PM     MON JUL 21 2003
#1 0000001 000
AWEL WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
01533    FILE 28   SP WELLSVILLE NY1020100                   JUL 21-03
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ALLEGANY

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): SOUTHERN PART OF COUNTY

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 07/21/03 AT APPROX 4:10PM
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME - POWER LINES
DOWN, TREES AND POLES DOWN, NUMEROUS AREA ROADS FLOODED

CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
(X) - NO HAIL REPORTED    ( ) - LESS THAN 1/2 (PEA)
( ) - 1/2 (MARBLE)       ( ) - 1/2 TO 3/4 (PENNY)
( ) - 3/4 TO 1 (DIME)   ( ) - 1.25 (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50 (WALNUT)      ( ) - 1.75 (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00 (HENS EGG)    ( ) - 2.50 (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75 (BASEBALL)    ( ) - 3.00 (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00 (GRAPEFRUIT)  ( ) - 4.50 (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS ( ) - CLOUD TO CLOUD  ( ) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO:            ( ) - TREES
( ) - POWER/TELCO POLES   ( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/TSTORM WIND DAMAGE   ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS  (X) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     (X) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
(X) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:     MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
(X) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
(X) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
(X) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE

REMARKS:

AUTH PHONE #: 585 593-1000

AUTH TPR VICTOR SYLOR                               MOGG  5-31PM

OPER - MOGG,CHRISTINE M               1735

Local storm report, Jul 21, 4:35 PM EST, 3 hours 23 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP E
0536PM     MON JUL 21 2003
#1 0000001 000
ELMH WLSR QHQT QTRF WAPT APTS
00421    FILE 28   ELMIRA HEIGHTS PD                 JUL 21-03
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         ATTENTION SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   SEVERE THUNDER STORM

DETAILS CONCERNING EVENT: SEVERE THUNDERSTORM HIGH WINDS GROUND LIGHTNING

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: CHEMUNG

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): VILLAGE OF ELMIRA HEIGHTS

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 1645HRS
DATE AND TIME CONDITION ENDED: 1710HRS
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: SEVERAL TREES WIRES DOWN

NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED:
REMARKS: TREES ACROSS R.R. TRACKS ROADS AND POWER LINES

AUTH PHONE #: 607 733-6580
AUTH SGT D M PIROZZOLO                       PIROZZOLO/1735HRS
OPER - PIROZZOLO, DAVID M             1735

Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:07 PM EST, 51 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP C
0808PM     MON JUL 21 2003
#1 0000001 000
CDSO WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
01816    FILE 28   DELAWARE CO SHERIFF  NY0120000            JUL 21-03
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: DELAWARE

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): DELHI,DOWNSVILLE,HANCOCK,HAMDEN

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 7-25PM
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ON MULTIPLE ROADWAYS
POWERLINES DOWN,,LARGE TREES UPROOTED,DAMAGE TO VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS.

CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
( ) - NO HAIL REPORTED    ( ) - LESS THAN 1/2 (PEA)
( ) - 1/2 (MARBLE)       ( ) - 1/2 TO 3/4 (PENNY)
( ) - 3/4 TO 1 (DIME)   ( ) - 1.25 (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50 (WALNUT)      ( ) - 1.75 (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00 (HENS EGG)    ( ) - 2.50 (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75 (BASEBALL)    ( ) - 3.00 (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00 (GRAPEFRUIT)  ( ) - 4.50 (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS ( ) - CLOUD TO CLOUD  ( ) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO:            ( ) - TREES
( ) - POWER/TELCO POLES   ( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/TSTORM WIND DAMAGE   ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS  (X) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     (X) - PRIVATE HOMES
(X) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
(X) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:     MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
( ) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
( ) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
( ) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE

REMARKS:

AUTH PHONE #: 607 746-2336

AUTH MILLS,THOMAS E SHERIFF                         DUBOIS 2007

OPER - DUBOIS,GERALD W                2007

Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:26 PM EST, 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
826 PM EDT MON JUL 21 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0317 PM    MIDDLEBURG                NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   SCHOHARIE                      WIRES DOWN

0346 PM    LEXINGTON                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   GREENE                         TREES DOWN

0401 PM    GUILDERLAND               NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   ALBANY                         TREE DOWN

0411 PM    COLONIE                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   ALBANY                         LARGE TREE LIMB DOWN/
                                          WIRES DOWN

0425 PM    CLIFTON PARK              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   SARATOGA                       TREES DOWN/ WIRES DOWN

0437 PM    SCHAGHTICOKE              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   RENSSELAER                     TREES DOWN

0440 PM    PITTSTOWN                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   RENSSELAER                     TREES DOWN

0441 PM    HOOSICK                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   RENSSELAER                     TREES DOWN

0800 PM                              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   ULSTER                         NUMEROUS TREES/WIRES DOWN
                                          COUNTYWIDE

0815 PM                              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   DUTCHESS                       NUMEROUS TREES/WIRES/POWER
                                          OUTAGES COUNTYWIDE

Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:45 PM EST, 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
845 PM EDT MON JUL 21 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0317 PM    MIDDLEBURG                NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   SCHOHARIE                      WIRES DOWN

0346 PM    LEXINGTON                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   GREENE                         TREES DOWN

0401 PM    GUILDERLAND               NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   ALBANY                         TREE DOWN

0411 PM    COLONIE                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   ALBANY                         LARGE TREE LIMB DOWN/
                                          WIRES DOWN

0425 PM    CLIFTON PARK              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   SARATOGA                       TREES DOWN/ WIRES DOWN

0437 PM    SCHAGHTICOKE              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   RENSSELAER                     TREES DOWN

0440 PM    PITTSTOWN                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   RENSSELAER                     TREES DOWN

0441 PM    HOOSICK                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   RENSSELAER                     TREES DOWN

0800 PM                              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   ULSTER                         NUMEROUS TREES/WIRES DOWN
                                          COUNTYWIDE

0815 PM                              NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   DUTCHESS                       NUMEROUS TREES/WIRES/POWER
                                          OUTAGES COUNTYWIDE

0823 PM    CATSKILL                  NY   TORNADO
07/21/03   GREENE                         TWO HOUSES DESTROYED BY
                                          POSSIBLE TORNADO.  PEOPLE
                                          TRAPPED INSIDE.

0825 PM    HUDSON                    NY   WIND DAMAGE
07/21/03   COLUMBIA                       NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:57 PM EST, 1 minute before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP A
0858PM     MON JUL 21 2003
#1 0000001 000
AWLS WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00345    FILE 28   WELLSVILLE PD NY0022800                   JUL 21-03
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ALLEGANY

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): VILLAGE OF WELLSVILLE

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: JUL 21 03 1615 HRS
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: MANY TREES AND LIMBS DOWN ON HOUSES
VEHICLES POWERLINES AND IN ROADWAYS
FIRE,PUBLIC WORKS CREWS HAVE CLEARED MOST, SOME ISOLATED TREES AND LIMBS STILL
FALLING
CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
(X) - NO HAIL REPORTED    ( ) - LESS THAN 1/2 (PEA)
( ) - 1/2 (MARBLE)       ( ) - 1/2 TO 3/4 (PENNY)
( ) - 3/4 TO 1 (DIME)   ( ) - 1.25 (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50 (WALNUT)      ( ) - 1.75 (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00 (HENS EGG)    ( ) - 2.50 (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75 (BASEBALL)    ( ) - 3.00 (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00 (GRAPEFRUIT)  ( ) - 4.50 (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED:  0       NUMBER INJURED:  0

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS ( ) - CLOUD TO CLOUD  (X) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO:            (X) - TREES
(X) - POWER/TELCO POLES   (X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED:   0      NUMBER INJURED:   0

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/TSTORM WIND DAMAGE   ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS  (X) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
(X) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:     MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED:  0       NUMBER INJURED:   0

FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
(X) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
(X) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
(X) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE

REMARKS: MOST AREAS HAVE OR ARE RETURNING TO NORMAL DEBRIS HAS BEEN REMOVED
FEEDER STREAMS THAT OVERFLOWED HAVE RECEEDED HOWEVER REMAIN FULL TO TOP OF
THIER BANKS ANY SIGNIFICANT RAINFUL WOULD EASILY CAUSE THEM TO OVERFLOW AGAIN.
AUTH PHONE #: 585 593-5600

AUTH CICIRELLO, J A COP

OPER - ELDRIDGE,CHRISTOPHER D         2058

The radar

The Albany radar (KENX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:55 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkshire

When: July 21, 7:58 PM EST
Where: Berkshire County, Lenox Dale
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.333, -73.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkshire

When: July 21, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Berkshire County, Pittsfield
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.450, -73.250

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkshire

When: July 21, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Berkshire County, Stockbridge
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.283, -73.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkshire

When: July 21, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Berkshire County, Williamstown
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.717, -73.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkshire

When: July 21, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Berkshire County, West Otis
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated sustained
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.183, -73.150

Thunderstorm Wind, Berkshire

When: July 21, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Berkshire County, Lanesborough
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated sustained
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 42.517, -73.217

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Massachusetts in 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history Warnings in Massachusetts, July 2003

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: 5375647, 5375648, 5375649, 5375650, 5375651, 5375652.