Blizzard and Coastal Flood in Massachusetts, March 26, 2014

Name: Blizzard and Coastal Flood in Massachusetts, March 26, 2014
Start: 2014-03-26T04:17
End: 2014-03-26T17:35
Location: Massachusetts

March 26, 2014 · NWS BOX · 14 events in 11 counties and zones

A large ocean storm intensified very quickly off the east coast of the United States. This storm brought extremely strong winds (gusting to over 80 mph) and heavy snow to the Cape and Islands.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 14 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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: 2
Injuries: 13
Property damage: $143,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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.

A large ocean storm intensified very quickly off the east coast of the United States. This storm brought extremely strong winds (gusting to over 80 mph) and heavy snow to the Cape and Islands.

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 Mar 26, 3:40 AM EST, 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 26, 3:40 AM EST, 37 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
440 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

.SYNOPSIS...
A POWERFUL OCEAN STORM WILL BRING HURRICANE FORCE WINDS AND
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THIS MORNING TO CAPE COD...MARTHAS VINEYARD
AND NANTUCKET...WITH MUCH LESS SNOW AND WIND NORTHWEST OF THE CAPE
COD CANAL. MILDER AIR RETURNS FOR THE END OF THE WEEK INTO NEXT
WEEKEND WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS FRIDAY INTO SUNDAY. DRY WEATHER
LOOKS TO RETURN FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK WEEK.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...

HIGHLIGHTS...

* DAMAGING WINDS TO HURRICANE FORCE THIS MORNING CAPE COD/NANTUCKET
* BLIZZARD CONDITIONS THIS MORNING CAPE/NANTUCKET/MARTHAS VINEYARD
* SHARP CUTOFF IN SNOWFALL NORTHWEST OF CAPE COD CANAL

SYNOPTIC OVERVIEW AND MODEL PREFERENCES...

POWERFUL OCEAN STORM SOUTH OF NEW ENGLAND EARLY THIS MORNING
UNDERGOING BOMOGENESIS WITH MESOANALYSIS ESTIMATING PRESSURE FALLS
ON THE ORDER OF 12 MB DURING THE PAST 3 HOURS! VERY IMPRESSIVE ON
SATELLITE IMAGERY WITH NUMEROUS LIGHTNING STRIKES NEAR THE CENTER OF
CIRCULATION ALONG WITH A CLASSIC BAROCLINIC LEAF STRUCTURE. ALL 00Z
MODEL GUID IN GOOD AGREEMENT ON THIS POWERFUL CYCLONE TRACKING ABOUT
140 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE 40N/70W BENCHMARK OR 200 MILES SOUTHEAST
OF NANTUCKET LATER THIS MORNING. SOME OF THE MESOSCALE MODELS LOWER
THE SURFACE PRESSURE OF THE LOW TO SUB 960 MB BEFORE REACHING 40N
LATITUDE! EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE AND PROBABLY HAVEN/T SEEN THIS FROM
AN EXTRATROPICAL /NOREASTER/ SINCE THE MARCH 93 SUPERSTORM. HOWEVER
THIS STORM WILL BE TRACKING TOO FAR OFFSHORE FOR A WIDESPREAD
IMPACT. STRONG TO DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY SNOW WILL BE CONFINED TO
CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS AND THE HIGHER RES NAM DEPICTS THIS THE
BEST. THUS THIS PORTION OF THE FORECAST WAS WEIGHTED HEAVILY TOWARD
THE HIGH RES NAM.

1)STRONG/DAMAGING WINDS...

NNE WINDS ALREADY GUSTING TO 42 KT AT NANTUCKET AT 08Z/4AM. NAM
BUFKIT SOUNDINGS SUPPORT SEVERAL HOURS OF HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS
UP TO 65 KT/75 MPH AT CHATHAM AND NANTUCKET FROM 7 AM THROUGH NOON.
THUS DAMAGING WINDS AND POWER OUTAGES EXPECTED ACROSS THIS REGION.
HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. ELSEWHERE WIND GUSTS UP TO 50
MPH ARE LIKELY WITH SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE.

2) HEAVY SNOW/BLIZZARD CONDITIONS...

AS MENTIONED ABOVE THE HIGH RES 00Z NAM CAPTURING THE VERY TIGHT
SNOW GRADIENT. THE NAM ALSO CAPTURING MID LEVEL MESOSCALE SNOW BAND
CURRENTLY MOVING ACROSS NANTUCKET AT 08Z/4AM. THE NAM PIVOTS THIS
BAND OVER THE CAPE AROUND 09Z/5AM AND THEN INTO PLYMOUTH AND BRISTOL
COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST MA AROUND 12Z/8AM. THEREAFTER THE BAND WEAKENS
AS IT APPROACHES BOSTON-PROVIDENCE. GIVEN THE NAM IS VERIFYING VERY
NICELY 8-9 HRS INTO ITS MODEL RUN HAVE HIGH CONFIDENCE ON ITS
QPF/SNOWFALL. THIS TRANSLATES INTO 6-10 INCHES ACROSS CAPE COD WITH
SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...HENCE BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.
SNOWFALL DECREASES DRAMATICALLY NORTHWEST OF THE CAPE COD CANAL AND
ESPECIALLY INTO BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST MA. FOR
THE BOSTON TO PROVIDENCE CORRIDOR DEPENDING ON HOW TIGHT THE
SNOWFALL GRADIENT BECOMES...EXPECTING AS LITTLE AS A DUSTING TO
PERHAPS AN INCH OR TWO AT THE MOST. FARTHER INLAND...NORTHWEST OF
BOSTON TO PROVIDENCE LITTLE IF ANY SNOW IS EXPECTED. LEFT HEADLINES
AS IS BUT WILL SAY CONFIDENCE IS LOWEST IN SNOW AMOUNTS ACROSS
BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES...WITH HIGHEST CONFIDENCE ACROSS CAPE
COD AND ISLANDS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM THURSDAY/...

STORM PULLS AWAY WITH WINDS BEGINNING TO RELAX HOWEVER IT WILL
REMAIN BLUSTERY AND COLD. ALTHOUGH DRY WEATHER WILL PREVAIL.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...

HIGHLIGHTS...

* MORE SEASONABLE WEATHER EXPECTED LATE THIS WEEK INTO THE WEEKEND
* SHOWERS EXPECTED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WITH COLD FRONT
* MORE RAIN POSSIBLE WITH LOW PRES SYSTEM SUNDAY

THE 00Z MODELS ARE IN DECENT AGREEMENT THROUGHOUT THE LONG TERM.
HOWEVER...THERE IS QUITE A SERIES OF LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS MOVING
THROUGH THE NORTHEAST AND THERE ARE DEFINITELY A FEW TRACK AND
INTENSITY DIFFERENCES WITH THESE SYSTEMS.  TEMPERATURES START TO
MODERATE THURSDAY AND CONTINUE TO DO SO INTO THE WEEKEND.  THURSDAY
SHOULD BE QUIET WEATHER WISE WITH HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING INTO THE
REGION.  THEN LOW PRESSURE MOVES OUT OF THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH
QUEBEC FRIDAY...BRINGING A COLD FRONT THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
LATE FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY.  THIS WILL BRING A ROUND OF SHOWERS TO
THE REGION.  ANOTHER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVES OFF THE MID-ATLANTIC
COAST AND WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF PRECIP TO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY. THEN QUIET WEATHER RETURNS FOR MONDAY BEFORE
ANOTHER POTENTIAL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM TUESDAY.

THURSDAY...MID LEVEL RIDGE MOVES OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AS HIGH
PRESSURE SLIDES SOUTH OF THE REGION.  QUIET WEATHER PREVAILS AND
TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO MODERATE.  WHILE TEMPS WILL BE WARMER THAN
EARLIER IN THE WEEK...THEY WILL REMAIN BELOW NORMAL.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...LOW PRESSURE MOVES THROUGH QUEBEC...PULLING A
COLD FRONT ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND LATE FRIDAY INTO EARLY
SATURDAY.  COLDER TEMPERATURES HOLD OFF UNTIL SUNDAY...SO
TEMPERATURES FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WILL BE NEAR TO JUST ABOVE NORMAL
FOR LATE MARCH.  MOST OF THESE SHOWERS SHOULD BE RAIN SHOWERS THOUGH
A PERIOD OF MIXED PRECIP IS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE NORTHWESTERN ZONES
EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

SUNDAY...LOW PRESSURE MOVES OFF THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST LATE SATURDAY
AND PASSES CLOSE TO THE 40/70 BENCHMARK SUNDAY BRINGING ANOTHER
ROUND OF PRECIP TO THE REGION.  THERE ARE SOME TRACK DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN THE GFS AND THE ECMWF ON HOW CLOSELY IT TRACKS TO THE
BENCHMARK...WHICH WOULD PLAY A ROLE IN HOW MUCH PRECIP AND WHERE THE
HEAVIEST PRECIP IS FOCUSED.  IT DOES LOOK LIKE THE PTYPE SHOULD BE
RAIN GIVEN THE TEMPERATURE PROFILES.

MONDAY...HIGH PRESSURE CRESTS OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.  QUIET
WEATHER IS EXPECTED WITH TEMPERATURES RIGHT AROUND NORMAL.

TUESDAY...ANOTHER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM DEVELOPS NEAR OR OVER SOUTHERN
NEW ENGLAND...POSSIBLY BRINGING ANOTHER ROUND OF PRECIP TO THE
REGION.

&&

.AVIATION /09Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
LOW...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT.
MODERATE...30 TO 60 PERCENT.
HIGH...GREATER THAN 60 PERCENT.

MODERATE TO HIGH FORECAST CONFIDENCE THRU TONIGHT. FORECAST
WEIGHTED MORE HEAVILY TOWARD NAM AND ITS MOS.

THROUGH 12Z...SNOW AND MVFR CONDITIONS OVERSPREAD SOUTHEAST MA
09Z-12Z. VFR ELSEWHERE WITH LIGHT SNOW POSSIBLY PIVOTING AS FAR
NORTHWEST AS BOS-PVD. SNOW LIKELY BECOMES HEAVY CAPE COD AND
ISLANDS BY 12Z. NNE WINDS APPROACH 50 KT ACROSS THIS REGION. MUCH
LIGHTER INLAND.

AFTER 12Z...IFR IN HEAVY SNOW CAPE COD AND ISLANDS WITH CONDITIONS
IMPROVING TO MVFR NORTHWEST OF CANAL AND POSSIBLY TO MARGINAL VFR
BOS-PVD IN MUCH LIGHTER SNOW. STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY SNOW YIELD
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TO CAPE COD AND ISLANDS. N WINDS HERE WILL
GUSTS NEAR OR TO HURRICANE FORCE /64 KT/. GUSTS 40 KT LIKELY
INLAND. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 6-12 INCHES CAPE COD AND
ISLANDS...RAPIDLY DIMINISHING TO 2-4 INCHES SOUTHEAST MA TO AN
INCH OR LESS BOS-PVD. CIGS AND VSBYS IMPROVE THIS AFTERNOON
HOWEVER WINDS REMAIN STRONG. STRONGEST WINDS 7 AM TO NOON CAPE COD
AND ISLANDS.

TONIGHT...VFR WITH DIMINISHING WINDS.

KBOS TERMINAL...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TAF. SNOW SHIELD AND MVFR
CONDITIONS LIKELY JUST CLIP LOGAN AIRSPACE THIS MORNING.

KBDL TERMINAL...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TAF.

OUTLOOK...THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

THURSDAY...HIGH CONFIDENCE.  VFR.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...MODERATE CONFIDENCE. AREAS OF MVFR CIGS/VSBYS
IN SHOWERS AHEAD OF COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO
EARLY SATURDAY. STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS MOVE IN AT 2000-3000 FEET
WITH SPEEDS OF 50-60 KNOTS. THIS COULD MEAN A PERIOD OF LOW LEVEL
WIND SHEAR.

SUNDAY...LOW TO MODERATE CONFIDENCE.  MVFR CIGS/VSBYS POSSIBLE IN
RAIN/FOG ASSOCIATED WITH FRONTAL SYSTEM.

&&

.MARINE...
FORECASTER CONFIDENCE LEVELS...

LOW...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT.
MODERATE...30 TO 60 PERCENT.
HIGH...GREATER THAN 60 PERCENT.

*** LIFE THREATENING STORM FOR MARINERS WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO
  HURRICANE FORCE ACROSS THE WATERS EAST AND SOUTH OF CAPE COD AND
  NANTUCKET ***

TODAY...

DANGEROUS OCEAN STORM WITH HURRICANE FORCE WINDS TRACKING ABOUT 140
MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE 40N/70W BENCHMARK THIS MORNING. HIGHEST RISK
OF HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL BE THE WATERS NEAR AND EAST OF CAPE
COD AND NANTUCKET. NNE WINDS WILL BACK TO THE NNW AS THE DAY
PROGRESSES. VSBY BELOW A 1/2 MILE IN HEAVY SNOW ACROSS THE WATERS OF
CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS AND POINTS SOUTH AND EAST. STRONGEST WINDS
7 AM TO MIDDAY.

TONIGHT...

IMPROVING CONDITIONS WITH WINDS DROPPING TO GALE FORCE AND BECOMING
NW. VSBY IMPROVES AS SNOW SHIELD MOVES WELL OFFSHORE. HOWEVER ROUGH
SEAS LINGER.

OUTLOOK...THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

THURSDAY...HIGH CONFIDENCE. SEAS DIMINISH THURSDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE
SLIDES SOUTH OF NEW ENGLAND...THEN INCREASE AGAIN THURSDAY NIGHT AS
LOW PRESSURE MOVES INTO QUEBEC.  STRONG NORTHWESTERLY GALES DIMINISH
THROUGH THURSDAY AND SLOWLY SHIFT TO THE SOUTHWEST.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...MODERATE CONFIDENCE. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORIES
WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED AS WINDS AND SEAS INCREASE IN ADVANCE OF A
COLD FRONT AND AS IT MOVES ACROSS THE WATERS.

SUNDAY...WINDS AND SEAS INCREASE AS LOW PRESSURE MOVES SOUTH OF THE
WATERS.  SMALL CRAFT ADVISORIES WILL BE NEEDED AND THERE IS A LOW
PROBABILITY OF GALES DEPENDING ON THE INTENSITY OF THE LOW.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...

430 AM UPDATE...

FORECAST SURGE VALUES JUST ABOUT ON TRACK. ESTOFS VERIFYING BETTER
THAN THE ETSS/GFS SURGE GUIDANCE. HIGHEST RISK OF COASTAL FLOODING
IS ACROSS THE SHORELINE OF CAPE COD BAY AND NANTUCKET. THUS
COASTAL FLOOD WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES REMAIN IN EFFECT. EARLIER
DISCUSSION BELOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STORM SURGE ALONG MA E COAST WILL LIKELY PEAK OUT 2 TO 3 HOURS
AFTER THE ASTRO HIGH TIDE BUT WILL LIKELY HAVE REACHED HIGH ENOUGH
LEVELS TO CAUSE MINOR TO MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING FROM BOSTON TO
NANTUCKET...INCLUDING N/E FACING SHORELINES ALONG CAPE COD AND
MARTHA/S VINEYARD. THE HIGHER ETSS VALUES APPEAR MORE REASONABLE
GIVEN THE SYNOPTIC SITUATION THAN THE ESTOFS GUIDANCE. EVEN
SO...HAVE RAISED THE ETSS STORM SURGE VALUES BY A FEW TENTHS OF A
FOOT TO AS MUCH AS ONE FOOT IN A FEW LOCATIONS. ANTICIPATING SURGE
OF 1.5 TO 2 FT N OF BOS...2 TO 2.5 FT BOS TO PYM AND MVY AND 2.5
TO 3 FT N/E SHORELINES OF THE CAPE AND NANTUCKET. AROUND THE TIME
OF HIGH TIDE...WAVES WILL LIKELY BE NEAR 15 FT MASS BAY AND CAPE
COD BAY AND NEAR 25 FT JUST E OF CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET. WENT WITH
AN ADVISORY FOR MAINLY MINOR COASTAL FLOODING BOS TO PYM AND MVY
AND A WARNING FOR N/E FACING SHORELINES OF CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET
WHERE AREAS OF MODERATE IMPACT ANTICIPATED. FOR N OF BOS...POCKETS
OF MINOR COASTAL FLOODING POSSIBLE AS WELL AS MINOR EROSION BUT
NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH AT THIS TIME TO WARRANT A
HEADLINE.

THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE A RELATIVELY SHORT DURATION EVENT COMPARED
WITH MANY NOREASTER INDUCED COASTAL FLOODS BUT CHARACTERIZED BY
EXPLOSIVE CYCLOGENESIS AND POTENTIALLY HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS
ALONG PORTIONS OF THE CAPE AND NANTUCKET SHORELINES. THESE VERY
STRONG N OR NNE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE MORNING HIGH TIDE MAY DRIVE
WATER A LITTLE FURTHER ONTO THE SHORELINE THAN ONE MIGHT EXPECT FROM
A LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THE STORM SURGE GUIDANCE. SOME RESIDUAL
SURGE AND SWELL ACTION EXPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE EVENING HIGH TIDE
BUT NOT SUFFICIENT TO TRIGGER ANY HEADLINES.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR CTZ002>004.
MA...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR MAZ002>018-020-
     026.
     HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR MAZ019-
     021>024.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY FOR MAZ017>021.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR MAZ015-
     016-019-023.
     COASTAL FLOOD WARNING UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR MAZ022-
     024.
     BLIZZARD WARNING UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR MAZ022>024.
NH...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR NHZ011-012-015.
RI...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR RIZ001>008.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY FOR RIZ007.
MARINE...STORM WARNING UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR ANZ231>234-250-
     251-256.
     GALE WARNING UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR ANZ230-236.
     STORM WARNING UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR ANZ235-237.
     HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR
     ANZ254-255.

&&

SYNOPSIS...NOCERA/RLG
NEAR TERM...NOCERA
SHORT TERM...NOCERA
LONG TERM...RLG
AVIATION...NOCERA/RLG
MARINE...NOCERA/RLG
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...RMT

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 26, 3:11 AM EST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>014-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>006-008-270815-
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-
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-BLOCK ISLAND RI-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND ADVISORY.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MAZ017-018-020-RIZ007-270815-
NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
NEWPORT RI-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
AND SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   WIND ADVISORY.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MAZ022-024-270815-
BARNSTABLE MA-NANTUCKET MA-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD WARNING.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MAZ023-270815-
DUKES MA-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   BLIZZARD WARNING.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MAZ021-270815-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MAZ019-270815-
EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
   HIGH WIND WARNING.
   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MAZ015-016-270815-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND ADVISORY.
   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ254-255-270815-
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-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MASSACHUSETTS COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ231>234-250-251-256-270815-
CAPE COD BAY-NANTUCKET SOUND-VINEYARD SOUND-BUZZARDS BAY-
COASTAL WATERS EAST OF IPSWICH BAY AND THE STELLWAGEN BANK NATIONAL
MARINE SANCTUARY-MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND IPSWICH BAY-
COASTAL WATERS FROM MONTAUK NY TO MARTHAS VINEYARD EXTENDING OUT TO
20 NM SOUTH OF BLOCK ISLAND-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WARNING.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ235-237-270815-
RHODE ISLAND SOUND-BLOCK ISLAND SOUND-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR RHODE ISLAND COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   STORM WARNING.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ230-236-270815-
BOSTON HARBOR-NARRAGANSETT BAY-
411 AM EDT WED MAR 26 2014

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR BOSTON HARBOR AND
NARRAGANSETT BAY.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WARNING.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

FOR THE LATEST UPDATES...PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/BOSTON

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WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/US.NATIONALWEATHERSERVICE.BOSTON.GOV

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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 strong wind, 3 blizzard, 3 coastal flood, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Barnstable

When: March 26, 4:17 AM EST to 11:31 AM EST
Where: Barnstable forecast zone
Property damage: $65,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) at Chatham Municipal Airport (KCQX), Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis (KHYA), and Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station in Falmouth (KFMH) recorded visibilities at or below one quarter mile and frequent wind gusts over 35 mph. These ranged from a peak wind gust of 49 mph at KCQX to 70 mph at KHYA. Sustained winds were also very strong with the ASOS at KHYA recording 43 mph sustained winds for a period of time. The strongest winds occurred coincident with the blizzard conditions, though gustier winds lasted a couple of hours longer than the snow did. Snowfall amounts were modest, though given the winds, very difficult to measure. Roughly 4-6 of snow was reported. Wires were downed onto a structure on Foster Road in Sandwich resulting in a fire. Also, wires were downed in West Yarmouth. A utility pole and wires were downed on Highbank Road in Yarmouth. Wires were downed in Mashpee on Mashpee Neck Road and on Bank Street in Harwich. A tree was downed onto a house on Casey Street in Yarmouth. The top half of a tree was downed onto Bayport Road in West Harwich. A tree and wires were downed onto Depot Street in Dennis. Trees were downed in Brewster on Main Street and on Long Pond Road near Route 137. Wires were downed onto Stony Brook Road in Brewster. A tree was downed onto a house in South Dennis.

Blizzard, Nantucket

When: March 26, 5:35 AM EST to 11:53 AM EST
Where: Nantucket forecast zone
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.270, -70.022 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Automated Surface Observing Systems at Nantucket Memorial Airport (KACK) recorded visibilities at or below one quarter mile and frequent wind gusts over 35 mph and as high as 82 mph at the peak of the blizzard conditions. Sustained winds were also very strong with the ASOS at KACK recording sustained wind speeds of 56 mph. The strongest winds occurred coincident with the blizzard conditions, though gustier winds lasted a couple of hours longer than the snow did. Snowfall amounts were highest on Nantucket with 8-10 inches reported. A large branch was downed onto Highland Avenue, blocking the road. Several large branches were downed on the east end of Nantucket Island. Wires were downed, resulting in 1200 customers without power. Milestone Road was blocked by multiple downed trees as well as snow drifts.

Blizzard, Dukes

When: March 26, 6:25 AM EST to 9:53 AM EST
Where: Dukes forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.389, -70.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Automated Surface Observing System at Martha's Vineyard Airport (KMVY) recorded visibilities less than a quarter of a mile and winds gusting frequently over 35 mph and as high as 61 mph. Sustained winds also were strong and the ASOS at MVY recorded a period of 48 mph sustained winds. The strongest winds continued for another hour or two beyond the end of the blizzard conditions. Snowfall amounts were modest though difficult to measure. Two to four inches of snow was reported. No damage was reported.

Coastal Flood, Eastern Plymouth

When: March 26, 7:05 AM EST to 10:36 AM EST
Where: Eastern Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.079, -70.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor coastal flooding occurred flooding portions of Warren Avenue in Plymouth. Overwash and debris flooded onto Central Avenue and Cole Parkway in Scituate.

Coastal Flood, Nantucket

When: March 26, 7:10 AM EST to 10:14 AM EST
Where: Nantucket forecast zone
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.270, -70.022 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coastal flooding occurred at Straight Wharf, on Easy Street, and in the Brant Point section of Nantucket.

High Wind, Eastern Plymouth

When: March 26, 8:59 AM EST to 1:25 PM EST
Where: Eastern Plymouth forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.079, -70.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported wind gusts up to 60 mph in Plymouth. Additionally, the Automated Surface Observing System at Plymouth Municipal Airport recorded sustained wind speeds of 35 mph and wind gusts of 52 mph. A tree and wires were downed onto State Road 3A in Plymouth.

Strong Wind, Northern Bristol

When: March 26, 9:41 AM EST
Where: Northern Bristol forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Automated Surface Observing System at Taunton Municipal Airport recorded wind gusts of 46 mph. A tree was downed across Plain Street in Rehoboth.

Coastal Flood, Barnstable

When: March 26, 10:36 AM EST to 11:36 AM EST
Where: Barnstable forecast zone
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Minor coastal flooding occurred in Sandwich resulting in beach erosion to within seven feet of a house on White Cap Path and overwashing Town Neck Beach. In Chatham, the Fishing Pier parking lot was flooded. And in Dennis, Sesuit Harbor parking lot flooded and the Chapin Beach access ramp eroded away.

Strong Wind, Suffolk

When: March 26, 11:35 AM EST to 5:35 PM EST
Where: Suffolk forecast zone
Measured: 47 kt (54 mph) measured gust
Deaths: 0 direct, 2 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 13 indirect
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.264, -71.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Automated Surface Observing System at Logan International Airport recorded sustained winds of 38 mph and wind gusts of 54 mph. These winds resulted in downed tree limbs and power lines on Allston and Rutherford Streets, as well as on Bronx Road. In addition, these winds greatly exacerbated a structure fire in the Back Bay (ended up as a 9 alarm fire), in which 2 firefighters were killed and 13 others were injured.

Strong Wind, Southern Worcester

When: March 26, 11:40 AM EST
Where: Southern Worcester forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees and wires were downed on Fowler Road and onto a car on Mendon Street in Upton.

Strong Wind, Southeast Middlesex

When: March 26, 12:20 PM EST
Where: Southeast Middlesex forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was downed onto Fayerweather Street in Cambridge.

Strong Wind, Western Middlesex

When: March 26, 12:54 PM EST
Where: Western Middlesex forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was downed onto Forest Street in Wilmington.

Strong Wind, Western Norfolk

When: March 26, 12:55 PM EST
Where: Western Norfolk forecast zone
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A utility pole was downed onto Sylvan Road in Wellesley.

High Wind, Eastern Norfolk

When: March 26, 3:10 PM EST to 4:10 PM EST
Where: Eastern Norfolk forecast zone
Measured: 36 kt (41 mph) measured sustained
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Automated Surface Observing System at Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center in Milton (KMQE) recorded sustained winds of 41 mph. No damage was reported.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Strong Wind, Suffolk	2014-03-26	43	Male	Permanent Structure	Indirect
Strong Wind, Suffolk	2014-03-26	33	Male	Permanent Structure	Indirect

What these are

Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Coastal Flood: Flooding of coastal land by the sea, from storm surge, onshore wind or high tides.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Massachusetts in 2014 Every state in 2014 This day in weather history Warnings in Massachusetts, March 2014

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: 506966, 506968, 506967, 507049, 506980, 506971, 507050, 507053, 507055, 507056, 507054, 507057, 507058, 506975.