Waterspout in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, August 15, 2012

Name: Waterspout in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, August 15, 2012
Start: 2012-08-15T07:15
End: 2012-08-15T07:30
Location: North Atlantic Coastal Waters

August 15, 2012 · NWS BOX · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Showers and thunderstorms developed in a warm, moist atmosphere. Cold air aloft contributed to an unstable environment resulting in severe thunderstorms.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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 warm, moist atmosphere. Cold air aloft contributed to an unstable environment resulting in severe thunderstorms. Moisture was such that rainfall rates were high enough to result in flash flooding.

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 15, 6:15 AM EST, 1 hour earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 6:15 AM EST, 1 hour before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 15, 3:16 AM EST, 3 hours 59 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
416 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-160815-
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER 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-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-
WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-BLOCK ISLAND RI-
416 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN
CONNECTICUT...CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...EASTERN
MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHEASTERN
MASSACHUSETTS...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHERN NEW
HAMPSHIRE...NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND AND SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

ISOALTED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT COULD BE STRONG WITH THE
POTENTIAL FOR STRONG WINDS...HAIL...AND LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL IN
SOUTHEAST NH...EASTERN MA...AND RHODE ISLAND THU MORNING AND EARLY
AFTERNOON.

A FEW THUNDERSTORMS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING ON BOTH
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE...WITH DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND LOCALIZED HEAVY DOWNPOURS..

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED TODAY. BE PREPARED TO REPORT ANY
FLOODING...STRONG WINDS...OR HAIL TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-160815-
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-
416 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MASSACHUSETTS COASTAL WATERS
AND RHODE ISLAND COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SCATTERED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT COULD PRODUCE
LOCALLY HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND LOCALLY HIGHER WINDS AND SEAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL IN
SOUTHEAST NH...EASTERN MA...AND RHODE ISLAND THU MORNING AND EARLY
AFTERNOON.

A FEW THUNDERSTORMS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING ON BOTH
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY COULD BE STRONG TO SEVERE...WITH DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND LOCALIZED HEAVY DOWNPOURS..

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

FIELD

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:54 AM EST, 3 hours 21 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
454 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

MAZ002>004-010-NHZ011-150945-
CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-NORTHERN
WORCESTER MA-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
454 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

AT 450 AM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE
OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZED HAIL
EXTENDING FROM BERNARDSTON TO 3 MILES WEST OF ERVING TO 2 MILES EAST
OF SUNDERLAND...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF
GREENFIELD TO 7 MILES EAST OF GREENFIELD TO 7 MILES NORTH OF
AMHERST...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL OF UP TO 2
INCHES PER HOUR ACCOMPANIED THESE STORMS.

* SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE...ERVING...NORTHFIELD...WENDELL...
  WARWICK...ORANGE...NEW SALEM...RICHMOND...ATHOL AND ROYALSTON.

FOR YOUR SAFETY...GET INSIDE WHEN THIS STORM APPROACHES. WINDS MAY BE
STRONG ENOUGH TO BRING DOWN SMALL BRANCHES. MINOR STREET FLOODING AND
PONDING OF WATER IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS IS ALSO LIKELY.  DO NOT
DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4281 7224 4270 7209 4256 7216 4235 7266
      4257 7257 4265 7263

FIELD

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 5:04 AM EST, 2 hours 11 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
604 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

MAZ004-012-151045-
NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-
604 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

AT 601 AM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH
3 MILES SOUTH OF SPENCER...OR ABOUT 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
WORCESTER...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF
CAUSING DOWNED TREE LIMBS IN WEST SPRINGFIELD. HEAVY RAIN AND
FREQUENT LIGHTNING ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS STORM.

* SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE...PAXTON...OXFORD...LEICESTER...
  AUBURN...HOLDEN...WORCESTER...MILLBURY...SUTTON...WEST BOYLSTON...
  BOYLSTON...SHREWSBURY...WHITINSVILLE...GRAFTON...NORTHBRIDGE AND
  UPTON.

FOR YOUR SAFETY...GET INSIDE WHEN THIS STORM APPROACHES. WINDS MAY BE
STRONG ENOUGH TO BRING DOWN SMALL BRANCHES. MINOR STREET FLOODING AND
PONDING OF WATER IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

&&

LAT...LON 4241 7169 4212 7159 4210 7209 4228 7214

FIELD

Local storm report, Aug 15, 5:27 AM EST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
627 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

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

0535 AM     FLOOD            WEST SPRINGFIELD        42.12N  72.65W
08/15/2012                   HAMPDEN            MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            ONE CAR STUCK AT RESTAURANT ON ROUTE 5. WATER REPORTED
            UP TO FLOOR BOARD OF CAR ON PROSPECT STREET. WESTFIELD
            BARNES AIRPORT RECORDED 1.14 INCHES IN 20 MINUTES BUT
            TOTAL WAS LESS THAN 1.50 INCHES.

0536 AM     TSTM WND DMG     WEST SPRINGFIELD        42.12N  72.65W
08/15/2012                   HAMPDEN            MA   AMATEUR RADIO

            LARGE TREE LIMBS DOWN ON BEAR HOLE ROAD AND PROSPECT
            STREET.

&&

GAF

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 7:01 AM EST, 14 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
801 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

MAZ013>019-022-151245-
BARNSTABLE MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL
MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SUFFOLK MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN
PLYMOUTH MA-
801 AM EDT WED AUG 15 2012

AT 757 AM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH OVER
FOXBOROUGH...OR ABOUT 7 MILES EAST OF FRANKLIN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT
30 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE...SHARON...EASTON...NORWOOD...
  CANTON...STOUGHTON...BROCKTON...AVON...RANDOLPH...MILTON...
  HOLBROOK...ABINGTON...BRAINTREE...ROCKLAND...QUINCY...WEYMOUTH...
  HINGHAM...HULL...NORWELL...SCITUATE AND COHASSET.

FOR YOUR SAFETY...GET INSIDE WHEN THIS STORM APPROACHES. WINDS MAY BE
STRONG ENOUGH TO BRING DOWN SMALL BRANCHES. MINOR STREET FLOODING AND
PONDING OF WATER IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

HEAVY RAIN MAY CAUSE MINOR STREET FLOODING AND PONDING OF WATER IN
LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS UNDERPASSES. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4197 7126 4213 7138 4232 7096 4232 7095
      4234 7093 4231 7092 4232 7089 4233 7091
      4235 7087 4232 7089 4228 7086 4226 7078
      4226 7077 4224 7074 4223 7075 4221 7071
      4216 7071

KJC

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 waterspout. Local standard time, as filed.

Waterspout, Narragansett Bay

When: August 15, 7:15 AM EST to 7:30 AM EST
Where: Narragansett Bay forecast zone, 4.18 mi S of Quonset Point to 3.64 mi SSE of Quonset Point
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 41.540, -71.410

No damage was reported.

What these are

Waterspout: A tornado over water. One that moves ashore is filed as a tornado from the coastline on.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Atlantic Coastal Waters in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 409293.