Damaging Winds in Rhode Island, August 5, 2005

Name: Damaging Winds in Rhode Island, August 5, 2005
Start: 2005-08-05T16:12
End: 2005-08-05T16:52
Location: Rhode Island

August 5, 2005 · NWS BOX · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

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: $35,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

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.

Showers and thunderstorms developed in a humid airmass ahead of an approaching cold front during the afternoon across northern Rhode Island. Some of these thunderstorms were severe, producing damaging winds. These severe winds downed wires, limbs, and trees, which, in turn, knocked out electricity to thousands of customers.The severe thunderstorm winds blew down a street light pole in Foster. The winds also downed many small trees on Interstate 295 near Exit 10 in Cumberland.No known injuries directly resulted from these severe thunderstorms.

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 Boston/Norton, MA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 5, 3:03 PM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 5, 3:03 PM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes before

CIGS. P6SM SCT-BKN060 AREAS SFC WND G35KT 1SM +TSRA CIGS
    OVC020CB...AFT 23Z P6SM SCT050 BKN120.

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 5, 4:15 AM EST, 11 hours 57 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
515 AM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-060900-
BARNSTABLE MA-BLOCK ISLAND RI-BRISTOL RI-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
CHESHIRE NH-DUKES MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
EASTERN KENT RI-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-HARTFORD CT-
NANTUCKET MA-NEWPORT RI-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-SUFFOLK MA-TOLLAND CT-
WASHINGTON RI-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN ESSEX MA-
WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN KENT RI-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-WINDHAM CT-
515 AM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST
CONNECTICUT...SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...AND MASSACHUSETTS FROM THE
EAST SLOPES OF THE BERKSHIRES TO THE INTERSTATE 495 CORRIDOR IN
NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS.

.DAY ONE (TODAY AND TONIGHT)...
A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH NEW ENGLAND THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING TRIGGERING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS.  GUSTY WINDS AND HEAVY
DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED TO BE THE MAIN THREAT IN ANY THUNDERSTORMS.

A HEAT WAVE IN THE HARTFORD/SPRINGFIELD AREA OF THE CONNECTICUT
RIVER VALLEY WILL COME TO AN END LATE THIS AFTERNOON.  TODAY
WILL BE THE 4TH DAY IN A ROW WITH TEMPERATURES AT OR ABOVE 90
DEGREES...AND A HEAT INDEX NEAR 100 DEGREES.  THE FRONTAL PASSAGE
LATE THIS AFTERNOON WILL BRING A DRIER AND RELATIVELY COOLER
AIRMASS...BRINGING AN END TO THE HEAT WAVE JUST IN TIME FOR THE
WEEKEND.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN (SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)...
NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME...HOWEVER THERE
EXISTS THE CHANCE FOR SCATTERED AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS FOR MID WEEK.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
SKYWARN SPOTTERS SHOULD MONITOR CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING AND BE PREPARED TO RELAY REPORTS AS NEEDED TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

KAB

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 2:02 PM EST, 2 hours 10 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
302 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

MAZ004-005-026-051945-
CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX
COUNTY MA-
302 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

AT 259 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO 50
MPH AND SMALL HAIL OVER AYER...OR ABOUT 12 MILES EAST OF
LEOMINSTER...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...WESTFORD AND CARLISLE BY 320 PM EDT.

INTENSE LIGHTNING IS REPORTED WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...STAY
AWAY FROM ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. MOVE INDOORS IF
POSSIBLE. WHEN INDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID
USING TELEPHONES UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BEFORE THE THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES.

FRANK

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 2:14 PM EST, 1 hour 58 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
314 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

MAZ020-021-RIZ004>007-052030-
BRISTOL RI-EASTERN KENT RI-NEWPORT RI-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN
PLYMOUTH MA-WASHINGTON RI-
314 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

...LINE OF STRONG STORMS DEVELOPING JUST NORTH OF THE SOUTH COAST...

AT 313 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE
OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO
50 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM FALL RIVER TO 4
MILES SOUTHWEST OF EAST GREENWICH...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM
FALL RIVER TO 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WARWICK...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...NORTH KINGSTOWN AND TIVERTON BY 320 PM
EDT...WESTPORT BY 330 PM EDT...PRUDENCE ISLAND BY 340 PM EDT...
PORTSMOUTH AND NEW BEDFORD BY 350 PM EDT...MARION BY 400 PM EDT.

FRANK

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 2:19 PM EST, 1 hour 53 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
319 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

MAZ008-009-052015-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
319 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

AT 317 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO 40
MPH 3 MILES EAST OF HUNTINGTON...OR ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
NORTHAMPTON...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

INTENSE LIGHTNING IS REPORTED WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...STAY
AWAY FROM ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. MOVE INDOORS IF
POSSIBLE. WHEN INDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID
USING TELEPHONES UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BEFORE THE THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES.

FRANK

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 2:49 PM EST, 1 hour 23 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
349 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

MAZ005-006-014-052045-
CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-WESTERN ESSEX MA-
349 PM EDT FRI AUG 5 2005

AT 347 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE
OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO
50 MPH AND SMALL HAIL ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM GEORGETOWN TO 2
MILES NORTH OF WILMINGTON TO 2 MILES EAST OF ACTON...OR ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF NEWBURYPORT TO 8 MILES SOUTH OF
LAWRENCE TO 11 MILES NORTHWEST OF WALTHAM...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...WILMINGTON AND CONCORD BY 400 PM EDT...
TOPSFIELD AND READING BY 410 PM EDT...WOBURN AND WINCHESTER BY 420 PM
EDT...WAKEFIELD AND STONEHAM BY 430 PM EDT.

FRANK

Local storm report, Aug 5, 3:32 PM EST, 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
432 PM EDT FRI AUG 05 2005

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0415 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MANCHESTER              41.78N 72.52W
08/05/2005                   HARTFORD           CT   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES AND WIRES DOWN ON WEST CENTER STREET.

0420 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WILLINGTON              41.87N 72.27W
08/05/2005                   TOLLAND            CT   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON SALEM STREET.

0425 PM     TSTM WND DMG     DANVERS                 42.57N 70.95W
08/05/2005                   ESSEX              MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            LARGE TREE LIMBS AND WIRES DOWN ON LOCUST STREET...MAKING
            STREET IMPASSABLE.

0425 PM     TSTM WND DMG     TOPSFIELD               42.64N 70.96W
08/05/2005                   ESSEX              MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ON ROUTE 97.

&&

JWD

Local storm report, Aug 5, 3:47 PM EST, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
447 PM EDT FRI AUG 05 2005

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0415 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MANCHESTER              41.78N 72.52W
08/05/2005                   HARTFORD           CT   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES AND WIRES DOWN ON WEST CENTER STREET.

0415 PM     TSTM WND DMG     NATICK                  42.28N 71.35W
08/05/2005                   MIDDLESEX          MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON EVERGREEN ROAD.

0420 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WILLINGTON              41.87N 72.27W
08/05/2005                   TOLLAND            CT   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN ON SALEM STREET.

0425 PM     TSTM WND DMG     TOPSFIELD               42.64N 70.96W
08/05/2005                   ESSEX              MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ON ROUTE 97.

0425 PM     TSTM WND DMG     DANVERS                 42.57N 70.95W
08/05/2005                   ESSEX              MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            LARGE TREE LIMBS AND WIRES DOWN ON LOCUST STREET...MAKING
            STREET IMPASSABLE.

0425 PM     TSTM WND DMG     NATICK                  42.28N 71.35W
08/05/2005                   MIDDLESEX          MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREE DOWN ON HOUSE WITH UNCONFIRMED INJURIES. ALSO TREES
            AND WIRES DOWN ON PLEASANT STREET.

0440 PM     TSTM WND DMG     NORTH READING           42.57N 71.07W
08/05/2005                   MIDDLESEX          MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            WIRES DOWN ON ROUTE 2 AND ROUTE 68.

0445 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CAMBRIDGE               42.38N 71.12W
08/05/2005                   MIDDLESEX          MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            LARGE LIMBS DOWN.

&&

JWD

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:13 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Providence

When: August 5, 4:12 PM EST to 4:32 PM EST
Where: Providence County, Burrillville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.983, -71.717

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: August 5, 4:45 PM EST
Where: Kent County, Coventry
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.683, -71.567

Thunderstorm Wind, Providence

When: August 5, 4:52 PM EST
Where: Providence County, Cumberland
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 41.917, -71.433

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 Rhode Island in 2005 Every state in 2005 This day in weather history Warnings in Rhode Island, August 2005

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: 5469384, 5469385, 5468985.