An upper level disturbance combined with a weakening cold front to initiate showers and thunderstorms across southern New England. These storms produced damaging winds, downing trees, wires, and power poles throughout the area.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.
An upper level disturbance combined with a weakening cold front to initiate showers and thunderstorms across southern New England. These storms produced damaging winds, downing trees, wires, and power poles throughout the area.
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 May 4, 2:09 PM EST, 44 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
309 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010
.SYNOPSIS...
A SERIES OF FRONTAL SYSTEMS WILL AFFECT NEW ENGLAND THROUGH THE
REMAINDER OF THE WEEK. WHILE IT WILL BE GENERALLY DRY...THESE FRONTAL
SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE A SHOWER OR GUSTY THUNDERSTORM AS THEY MOVE
THROUGH.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/...
ANY CONVECTION WILL DIMINISH IN BOTH INTENSITY AND COVERAGE AS THE
NIGHT PROGRESSES. LOW TEMPS SHOULD RANGE FROM THE LOWER 40S WELL NORTH
TO THE LOWER 50S SE MA.
WINDS TURN TO THE WEST/NW BEHIND A COLD FRONT...AND SKIES WILL CLEAR.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY/...
TROUGH PASSES EAST AS RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS. WED SHOULD BE
DRY AS THE RIDGE PASSES. FAST MOVING SYSTEMS IN PROGRESSIVE FLOW
WILL RESULT IN NEXT SYSTEM APPROACHING THURSDAY. MORE SHOWERS AND
POSSIBLE TSTMS EXPECTED AS THE SHORTWAVE PASSES. BRIEF RIDGE THURSDAY
NIGHT...FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY THE NEXT TROUGH...AND STRONGER SFC LOW
PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT APPROACHES NEW ENGLAND FRIDAY. MORE MOISTURE IS
TAPPED WITH THIS SYSTEM...BUT TIMING SHOULD RESULT IN ANOTHER DRY
DAY FRIDAY.
LEANED TOWARD MET NUMBERS THROUGH THURSDAY...THEN GRIDDED MOS FRIDAY.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
OVERALL TREND IS FOR TROUGH TO SLOWLY DEPART NEW ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND.
CWA THEN REMAINS BETWEEN AFOREMENTIONED TROUGH TO THE EAST AND UPSTREAM
TROUGH ACROSS THE MID WEST EARLY NEXT WEEK.
SENSIBLE WEATHER DETAILS...
SATURDAY...
LIKELY SHRA/TSTMS AS UPPER TROUGH AND SFC LOW PASSES ACROSS NEW
ENGLAND. UPPER CLOSED LOW IS SLOW TO EXIT...THUS RESULTING IN
LINGERING INSTABILITY SHRA/TSTMS INTO SAT NIGHT.
SUNDAY AND MONDAY...
POSSIBLE LINGERING SHOWERS SUNDAY...THEN DRYING AS TROUGH AXIS PASSES
FAR ENOUGH TO THE EAST. RIDGE WILL ENSURE DRY WEATHER INTO MONDAY.
MUCH COOLER TEMPS ANTICIPATED IN NW FLOW BEHIND THIS SYSTEM WITH 850
TEMPS PLUMMETING TO AROUND ZERO OR BELOW.
TUESDAY...DRY WITH MODERATING TEMPS AS HEIGHTS INCREASE.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
THIS AFTERNOON...
VFR...WITH SCATTERED SUB VFR IN CONVECTION. GREATEST RISK FOR GUSTY
THUNDERSTORMS IS 20Z-23Z. OTRW GENERAL WLY GUSTS OF 21 TO 26 KTS.
TONIGHT...VFR WITH WEST/NW WINDS.
WEDNESDAY...HIGH CONFIDENCE VFR.
OUTLOOK...WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY...
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...VFR LIKELY.
THURSDAY...MVFR CEILINGS AND VSBYS LIKELY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND
POSSIBLY THUNDERSTORMS.
FRIDAY...VFR LIKELY.
SATURDAY...MVFR/IFR CEILINGS AND VSBYS IN SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS SOME TIME SAT/SAT NIGHT.
&&
.MARINE...
PLS SEE MWW.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORIES CONTINUE FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN WATERS
THROUGH TONIGHT WITH STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY SWELL KEEPING SEAS IN THE
4 TO 7 FOOT RANGE.
ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE INTO THE EVENING HOURS AS
FRONT PASSES BY. HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY
KEEPING WINDS AND SEAS BELOW SMALL CRAFT CRITERIA.
OUTLOOK...WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
WED NIGHT...
SW WINDS BEGIN TO INCREASE.
THU...
SW WINDS 20-30 KT BECOME W WITH FRONTAL PASSAGE SOMETIME IN THE
AFTN. SHOWERS AND POSSIBLY A TSTM ACCOMPANY THE FRONTAL PASSAGE.
FRI...
W-NW EASE AS HIGH PRES BUILDS OVER THE AREA.
SAT...
LOW PRES MOVES THRU PA AND NY WITH MODEST SW WINDS OVER NEW ENGLAND.
SHOWERS AND POSSIBLY A TSTM WILL LIMIT VSBY.
SUN...NW FLOW BEHIND STORM SYSTEM.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...NONE.
MA...NONE.
NH...NONE.
RI...NONE.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR ANZ231-
250-254.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR ANZ235.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR ANZ255-256.
&&
SYNOPSIS...99
NEAR TERM...99
SHORT TERM...99
LONG TERM...99
AVIATION...99
MARINE...99HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 129 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 CTZ002-003-MAZ002>004-008>012-NHZ011-012-015-051400- HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA- NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA- EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA- CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH- WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH- 129 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 139 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. DEPENDING UPON HOW MUCH RAINFALL IS RECEIVED TODAY...THERE COULD BE AN ELEVATED RISK OF FIRE SPREAD WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ACROSS MOST OF INTERIOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. CTZ004-MAZ005>007-013>024-026-RIZ001>008-051400- WINDHAM CT-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA- WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SUFFOLK MA- EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA- EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA- BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-NANTUCKET MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA- NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI- EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-BLOCK ISLAND RI- 129 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND AND SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE WITH A LOW PROBABILITY OF DAMAGING WINDS AND SMALL HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. DEPENDING UPON HOW MUCH RAINFALL IS RECEIVED TODAY...THERE COULD BE AN ELEVATED RISK OF FIRE SPREAD WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ACROSS MOST OF INTERIOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-051400- BOSTON HARBOR-CAPE COD BAY-NANTUCKET SOUND-VINEYARD SOUND- BUZZARDS BAY-RHODE ISLAND SOUND-NARRAGANSETT BAY-BLOCK ISLAND SOUND- COASTAL WATERS EAST OF IPSWICH BAY AND THE STELLWAGEN BANK NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY-MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND IPSWICH BAY- COASTAL WATERS FROM PROVINCETOWN MA TO CHATHAM MA TO NANTUCKET MA OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS EXTENDING OUT TO 25 NM SOUTH OF MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET- COASTAL WATERS FROM MONTAUK NY TO MARTHAS VINEYARD EXTENDING OUT TO 20 NM SOUTH OF BLOCK ISLAND- 129 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MASSACHUSETTS COASTAL WATERS AND RHODE ISLAND COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. HERE IS A LOW RISK OF A FEW STRONG THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON MAINLY FROM BOSTON HARBOR NORTHWARD. ONE OR TWO OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY CONTAIN SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. WEST WINDS COULD GUST NEAR GALE FORCE FOR A TIME SATURDAY EVENING BEHIND A STRONG COLD FRONT. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 146 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 CTZ002-041845- HARTFORD- 146 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL HARTFORD COUNTY... AT 142 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR TORRINGTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE... NEAR BURLINGTON BY 205 PM. NEAR CANTON BY 215 PM. NEAR AVON BY 225 PM. NEAR SIMSBURY BY 230 PM. NEAR BLOOMFIELD BY 235 PM. 6 MILES SOUTH OF EAST GRANBY BY 240 PM. GUSTY WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 237 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 CTZ002>004-041930- HARTFORD-TOLLAND-WINDHAM- 237 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL HARTFORD...CENTRAL TOLLAND AND WESTERN WINDHAM COUNTIES... AT 234 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR SOUTH WINDSOR...OR NEAR HARTFORD...AND MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE... NEAR MANCHESTER BY 245 PM. NEAR VERNON BY 250 PM. NEAR COVENTRY BY 300 PM. NEAR MANSFIELD BY 305 PM. NEAR CHAPLIN BY 315 PM. NEAR ASHFORD BY 320 PM. WINDS UP TO 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 330 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 CTZ003-004-MAZ013-RIZ001>004-042030- EASTERN KENT-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE-TOLLAND-WESTERN KENT-WESTERN NORFOLK-WINDHAM- 330 PM EDT TUE MAY 4 2010 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL TOLLAND...NORTHERN KENT...PROVIDENCE...SOUTHWESTERN NORFOLK AND WINDHAM COUNTIES... AT 325 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR CHAPLIN...OR 6 MILES EAST OF MANSFIELD...AND MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. ANOTHER STRONG STORM WAS SOUTHEAST OF PUTNAM ALSO MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE... NEAR HAMPTON BY 335 PM. 6 MILES SOUTH OF POMFRET BY 340 PM. NEAR BROOKLYN BY 345 PM. NEAR KILLINGLY BY 350 PM. NEAR FOSTER BY 400 PM. NEAR SCITUATE BY 415 PM. SMALL HAIL...AND WINDS UP TO 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.
The Albany radar (KENX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:53 UTC.
25 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in Middlefield and Worthington, particularly along Route 12 in Worthington.
Trees and wires were downed by thunderstorm winds in Chesterfield and Worthington, including a few on South Street in Chesterfield.
Many trees and wires were downed by thunderstorm winds in Cummington.
Large trees on Main Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.
A large tree downed by thunderstorm winds fell on a house on Landy Avenue. The roof was damaged, but damage to the interior was limited and no one was injured.
Many trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in Sunderland along Route 47 and in Deerfield along Thayer Street.
The Automated Surface Observing System at Barnes Municipal Airport (KBAF) recorded a wind gust of 58 mph. In addition, many trees and wires were downed by thunderstorm winds, including a four foot diameter oak tree on Morgan Road in West Springfield. On City View Avenue in West Springfield, a tree and utility pole were downed, blocking the road. Two power poles were downed near the intersection of East Elm Street and Riverdale Road.
Large limbs and wires were downed on Route 47 in Hadley. A tree was downed by thunderstorm winds onto a car on Mill Valley Road.
Trees and wires were downed in Greenfield and Montague by thunderstorm winds.
The Automated Surface Observing System at Orange Municipal Airport (KORE) recorded a wind gust of 67 mph. No associated damage was reported, though damage was reported elsewhere in Franklin County.
Large trees and limbs at Holyoke College were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Trees on Plain and Greenfield Roads were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Trees and wires were downed by thunderstorm winds throughout much of Southwick, temporarily closing 14 roads. A barn at the intersections of Routes 10 and 202 was also damaged by the wind.
Multiple utility poles and trees were downed across West Springfield and Agawam, including several utility poles along Route 5 in West Springfield.
Five solar panels were blown from the roof of the three story Knowles Engineering Building at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition, six people were injured when two event tents were blown down at a barbeque at the university. Construction fences and a tree were also downed.
Trees on Route 9 were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Multiple trees on Cottage and Garden Streets and Roosevelt and Berkshire Avenues were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Multiple trees in Clinton and a large branch in Boylston were downed by thunderstorm winds. In addition, an amateur radio operator recorded a 59 mph wind gust on their home weather station.
Wires on University Avenue were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Multiple trees were downed by thunderstorm winds.
Multiple trees and wires were downed by thunderstorm winds.
A twelve inch diameter tree on Haskell Street was downed by thunderstorm winds. The tree fell, blocking the street.
Trees on Williams Road were downed by thunderstorm winds, damaging an amateur radio antenna.
Many trees and wires on Route 202 were downed by thunderstorm winds.
A utility pole on Wyman Street was downed by thunderstorm winds.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Massachusetts in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, May 2010
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: 233195, 233208, 233214, 233198, 233607, 233204, 233202, 233213, 233234, 233216, 233218, 233219, 233222, 233226, 233227, 233228, 233229, 233232, 233235, 233561, 233566, 233562, 233563, 233567, 233564, 233565.