Flooding and Hail in Massachusetts, August 15, 2015

Name: Flooding and Hail in Massachusetts, August 15, 2015
Start: 2015-08-15T16:20
End: 2015-08-15T22:13
Location: Massachusetts

August 15, 2015 · NWS BOX · 31 events in 6 counties and zones

A weak cold front moving through southern New England brought showers and thunderstorms to the region. These storms produced hail and damaging winds as well as some poor drainage street flooding.

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: $385,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 31

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 weak cold front moving through southern New England brought showers and thunderstorms to the region. These storms produced hail and damaging winds as well as some poor drainage street 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, 2:47 PM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 2:47 PM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
347 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

.SYNOPSIS...
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL COME TO AN END TONIGHT AS
A WEAK COLD FRONT MOVES OFFSHORE. HIGH PRESSURE WILL BRING HUMID
AND WARM WEATHER TOMORROW. SUMMER HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL LIKELY
PERSIST INTO NEXT WEEKEND...AS HIGH PRESSURE HOLDS IN PLACE ALONG
THE EASTERN SEABOARD. DURING THIS TIME...THERE WILL BE THE CHANCE
FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A SERIES OF WEAK
FRONTAL DISTURBANCES.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/...
345 PM UPDATE...

SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ACROSS NH
AND NORTHERN MASS. THIS IS DUE TO APPROACHING SHORTWAVE FROM
NORTHERN NY AS WELL AS LINGERING WAVE INTO COASTAL MAINE/NH. BETWEEN
THE TWO OF THESE WAVES IS WHERE THE STORMS HAVE FIRED. ML CAPE
VALUES HAVE INCREASED TO 1500-2000 J/KG AND WITH K VALUES ABOVE
34...ANTICIPATE THE STORMS TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE REST OF THE
AFTERNOON.

BIGGEST THREAT WITH THESE STORMS WILL BE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL.
PWAT VALUES HAVE INCREASED ABOVE 1.7 INCHES...AND WITH WEAK WINDS
ALOFT THESE STORMS WILL BE MOVING AROUND 10 KTS OR LESS. SHEAR
VALUES ARE WEAK AS WELL...LESS THAN 20KTS WHICH WILL INHIBIT STORMS
TO MAINTAIN THEMSELVES. THESE STORMS WILL BE MORE OF THE POP-
UP/PULSE VARIETY WHERE THE OUTFLOW MAY HELP DEVELOP A NEW STORMS.
THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR TRAINING ALONG THE SURFACE TROUGH/FRONT
AS FLOW ALOFT IS PARALLEL WITH THE FRONT. IF THAT IS THE CASE WE MAY
NEED TO ISSUE LOCAL FLOOD PRODUCTS LATER THIS AFTERNOON. FLASH FLOOD
GUIDANCE IS QUITE HIGH...AROUND 2-3 INCHES WITHIN AN HOURS.

THROUGH THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON ANTICIPATE THESE
SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AS SURFACE TROUGH
APPROACHES THE REGION. COVERAGE WILL BE SCATTERED WITH HEAVY RAIN
AND LIGHTNING BEING THE MAIN THREAT. STILL CANT RULE OUT THE
POTENTIAL OF SOME GUSTY WINDS DUE TO INVERTED V PROFILE. HOWEVER
WINDS ALOFT ARE ABOUT 20 KTS...SO WE COULD SEE GUSTS NEAR 25 MPH.

STILL CONCERN ABOUT THE SOUTH COAST WHICH WILL HAS DRY AIR MOVING IN
THE MID-LEVELS WHICH COULD KEEP THEM TOTALLY DRY. THE SEA BREEZE HAS
ALSO PUSHED THE MARINE STABLE AIR WELL INTO SOUTHERN RI AND SE MASS.
HOWEVER MAY NEED TO WATCH FOR THE POTENTIAL FOR STORMS TO DEVELOP
ALONG THE SEA BREEZE BOUNDARY AND TRAIN AS WELL.

TONIGHT...

LINGERING SHOWERS WITH ISOLATED THUNDER WILL CONTINUE INTO THE
EVENING HOURS BEFORE SURFACE TROUGH PUSHES OFFSHORE. OTHERWISE
SHOULD BE A FAIRLY QUIET BUT MILD NIGHT WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID
60S. THE URBAN CORRIDORS OF BOS AND PVD WILL BE IN THE LOW 70S.

DEWPOINTS CONTINUE TO REMAIN IN THE MID TO UPPER 60S AND WITH
INCREASE LOW LEVEL MOISTURE FROM RECENT RAINFALL COULD SEE PATCHY
FOG DEVELOP. BEST LOCATIONS WILL BE ACROSS LOW-LYING AREAS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM SUNDAY/...

BUILDING HIGH PRESSURE AND MID-LEVEL RIDGE WILL BUILD ACROSS THE
REGION TOMORROW. TEMPERATURES WILL BE SIMILAR TO TODAY OR PERHAPS A
DEGREE OR TWO WARMER AS 850 MB TEMPS ALOFT WILL BE AROUND 16-17C.
THEREFORE BELIEVE HIGH TEMPS WILL WARM INTO THE UPPER 80S TO LOW
90S. COOLER CONDITIONS ALONG THE COASTLINE AS SEA BREEZE DEVELOPS
THANKS TO WEAK WINDS ALOFT.

BELIEVE THE REGION WILL REMAIN RAIN FREE TOMORROW. HOWEVER CANNOT
RULE OUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A POP-UP SHOWER ALONG THE SEA BREEZE
CONVERGENCE. KEPT THE FORECAST DRY FOR NOW...WILL LET NEXT SHIFT TAKE
A CLOSER LOOK.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
HIGHLIGHTS...

* PERIODS OF HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS FOR A GOOD PORTION OF NEXT WEEK
* MAY SEE WIDELY SCATTERED AFTERNOON/EVENING SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS
  MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY
* ANOTHER STRONGER FRONT MAY BEGIN TO APPROACH LATE NEXT WEEK

OVERVIEW...
LATEST GUIDANCE SUITE REMAINS IN DECENT OVERALL AGREEMENT INTO
THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. AFTER WEDNESDAY THOUGH...SIGNIFICANT
TIMING DIFFERENCES ARISE...WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO A LOWER
CONFIDENCE FORECAST WITH RESPECT TO TIMING. FOLLOWED A CONSENSUS
SOLUTION TO SMOOTH OVER SOME OF THESE DIFFERENCES. HAVE HIGH
CONFIDENCE IN THE OVERALL TRENDS.

NOT MUCH CHANGE TO THE OVERALL SYNOPTIC PATTERN THROUGH MUCH OF
NEXT WEEK. LOTS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY AS AN AMPLIFIED MID LEVEL
TROUGH DEVELOPS OVER THE CENTRAL USA...LEAVING OUR REGION BENEATH
A PERSISTENT RIDGE. AT THE SURFACE...A BERMUDA HIGH SHOULD DEVELOP
AND ENHANCE THE FLOW OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY INTO OUR REGION.

THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL LEAD TO A PERSISTENT PATTERN OF DIURNAL
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR A GOOD PORTION OF NEXT WEEK. THE
TROUBLE IS...THERE ARE NOT MANY FOCUSING MECHANISMS EXPECTED NEAR
OUR REGION UNTIL LATE NEXT WEEK. IN GENERAL...PLAN FOR THE
POSSIBILITY OF AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
EACH DAY...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE INTERIOR.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
FORECASTER CONFIDENCE LEVELS...

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

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...HIGH CONFIDENCE.

TODAY...
VFR. SCATTERED SHOWERS/TSTMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WILL
CREATE BRIEF MVFR-IFR CONDITIONS...WITH THE BEST CHANCE ALONG AND
NORTH OF THE MASS PIKE.

TONIGHT...
VFR. SCATTERED MVFR IN SHOWERS/TSTMS IN THE EVENING DISSIPATING
AFTER 04Z. PATCHY MVFR/IFR IN FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT IS POSSIBLE ESP
ACROSS LOW LYING REGIONS.

SUNDAY...VFR. SEA BREEZES ALONG THE COASTLINE. COULD SEE A ROGUE
POP-UP SHOWER ALONG THE SEA BREEZE.

KBOS TERMINAL...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TAF. LOW CONFIDENCE ON A SEA
BREEZE POTENTIAL. SCT SHOWERS/-TSRA POSSIBLE AFTER 21Z.

KBDL TERMINAL...HIGH CONFIDENCE IN TAF.

OUTLOOK /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...MODERATE CONFIDENCE.

SUNDAY NIGHT-MONDAY NIGHT...MAINLY VFR. MAY SEE PATCHY FOG
DEVELOP ACROSS THE INLAND VALLEYS. WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS/
THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE ACROSS EAST SLOPES OF BERKSHIRES AND ALONG
SOUTH COAST MONDAY AFTERNOON/NIGHT. LOCAL MVFR CONDITIONS POSSIBLE
IN ANY CONVECTION. S-SW WIND REMAINS IN PLACE...POSSIBLY GUSTING
TO 15-20 KT ALONG SOUTH COAST. WEAK SEABREEZES POSSIBLE ALONG EAST
COAST DURING MONDAY.

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY...MAINLY VFR. CHANCE FOR MAINLY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS EACH DAY WITH LOCAL MVFR CIGS/VSBYS.
LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ALSO POSSIBLE. PATCHY IFR CONDITIONS IN FOG
POSSIBLE DURING OVERNIGHT/EARLY MORNING PERIODS.

&&

.MARINE...
FORECASTER CONFIDENCE LEVELS...

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

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...HIGH CONFIDENCE.

A WEAK COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE WATERS EARLY TONIGHT. THIS MAY
BRING A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS THIS EVENING. AREAS OF FOG TONIGHT MAY
ALSO PRODUCE POOR VSBYS. WINDS AND SEAS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THRESHOLDS THROUGH THE REST OF THE PERIOD.

OUTLOOK /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...

MODERATE TO HIGH CONFIDENCE THROUGH PERIOD.

S-SW WINDS CONTINUE THROUGH THIS PERIOD...POSSIBLY GUSTING UP TO
20 KT ACROSS THE SOUTHERN OUTER WATERS AT TIMES. SEAS SHOULD
REMAIN BELOW 5 FT. MAY SEE PATCHY LATE NIGHT/EARLY MORNING FOG
REDUCING VSBYS EACH DAY ESPECIALLY ALONG SOUTHERN NEAR SHORE
WATERS.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...NONE.
MA...NONE.
RI...AIR QUALITY ALERT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR RIZ003>008.
MARINE...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...BELK/DUNTEN
NEAR TERM...DUNTEN
SHORT TERM...DUNTEN
LONG TERM...BELK
AVIATION...BELK/DUNTEN
MARINE...BELK/DUNTEN

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 15, 3:11 AM EST, 13 hours 9 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
411 AM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-RIZ001-002-160815-
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-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-
411 AM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...ALL OF
MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

RIZ003>008-160815-
WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
BLOCK ISLAND RI-
411 AM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM EDT
THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND 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.

   AIR QUALITY ALERT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

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-
411 AM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

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

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NWSBOSTON

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT
@NWSBOSTON

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 12:20 PM EST, 4 hours before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
120 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

MAZ010-011-151800-
EASTERN HAMPDEN-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE-
120 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN SOUTH CENTRAL HAMPSHIRE AND CENTRAL HAMPDEN
COUNTIES...

AT 119 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SOUTHAMPTON...OR NEAR HOLYOKE...MOVING EAST
AT 10 MPH.

HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF PEAS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SPRINGFIELD...CHICOPEE...WESTFIELD...HOLYOKE...AMHERST...
NORTHAMPTON...WEST SPRINGFIELD...LUDLOW...SOUTH HADLEY...
EASTHAMPTON...GRANBY...SOUTHAMPTON...HADLEY AND MONTGOMERY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WAS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MINOR URBAN AND
POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4223 7279 4234 7253 4211 7248 4215 7277
      4217 7278 4218 7278
TIME...MOT...LOC 1719Z 264DEG 8KT 4221 7270

DUNTEN

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 1:22 PM EST, 2 hours 58 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
222 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

CTZ002-003-MAZ011-151900-
HARTFORD-TOLLAND-EASTERN HAMPDEN-
222 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN NORTHWESTERN TOLLAND...NORTH CENTRAL
HARTFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN HAMPDEN COUNTIES...

AT 222 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER LONGMEADOW...OR NEAR AGAWAM...MOVING EAST AT
10 MPH.

HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF PEAS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SPRINGFIELD...CHICOPEE...ENFIELD...AGAWAM...WEST SPRINGFIELD...
LUDLOW...LONGMEADOW...SUFFIELD...EAST LONGMEADOW...WILBRAHAM...
PALMER...STAFFORD...SOMERS...MONSON AND HAMPDEN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WAS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MINOR URBAN AND
POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4202 7268 4212 7268 4219 7234 4198 7230
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 271DEG 13KT 4207 7259

DUNTEN

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 2:47 PM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
347 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

MAZ018-019-152030-
EASTERN PLYMOUTH-WESTERN PLYMOUTH-
347 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN CENTRAL PLYMOUTH COUNTY...

AT 347 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER HANSON...OR 8 MILES NORTHEAST OF
BRIDGEWATER...MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH.

HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF PEAS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PLYMOUTH...MARSHFIELD...PEMBROKE...ROCKLAND...DUXBURY...WHITMAN...
HANOVER...EAST BRIDGEWATER...KINGSTON...HANSON...HALIFAX AND
PLYMPTON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WAS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MINOR URBAN AND
POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4201 7093 4210 7092 4211 7069 4201 7067
      4201 7070 4200 7071 4196 7066 4194 7066
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 283DEG 8KT 4204 7084

DUNTEN

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 2:59 PM EST, 1 hour 21 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
359 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

MAZ003-004-152045-
NORTHERN WORCESTER-EASTERN FRANKLIN-
359 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN NORTH CENTRAL WORCESTER AND NORTHEASTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES...

AT 359 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR RICHMOND...OR 8 MILES NORTH OF ORANGE...
MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH.

HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF PEAS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
WINCHENDON...WINCHESTER...ROYALSTON...RICHMOND AND WARWICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WAS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MINOR URBAN AND
POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADS.

&&

LAT...LON 4273 7240 4271 7197 4262 7205 4272 7241
      4273 7241
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 281DEG 13KT 4273 7228

DUNTEN

Special weather statement, Aug 15, 3:42 PM EST, 38 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
442 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

MAZ003>005-026-152130-
NORTHERN WORCESTER-NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY-EASTERN
FRANKLIN-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTY-
442 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2015

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN NORTHERN WORCESTER...NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN
AND NORTHWESTERN MIDDLESEX COUNTIES...

AT 441 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR
TOWNSEND TO ERVING...AND WAS MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH.

HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF PEAS AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LEOMINSTER...FITCHBURG...ORANGE...WESTFORD...GARDNER...ATHOL...
PEPPERELL...TYNGSBOROUGH...GROTON...WINCHENDON...LUNENBURG...
TOWNSEND...LITTLETON...TEMPLETON...AYER...WESTMINSTER...SHIRLEY...
ASHBURNHAM...HUBBARDSTON AND DUNSTABLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WAS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS. MINOR URBAN AND
POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADS.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING WAS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS. FOR YOUR
SAFETY...GO INSIDE OR IN A VEHICLE. STAY AWAY FROM OPEN AREAS SUCH AS
BALL FIELDS...GOLF COURSES AND PARKS. WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER
THE STORMS END TO RESUME OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

&&

LAT...LON 4270 7151 4257 7142 4248 7222 4272 7252
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 306DEG 11KT 4268 7167 4261 7239

DUNTEN

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:20 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 thunderstorm wind, 5 flood, 4 hail, 2 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Worcester

When: August 15, 4:20 PM EST
Where: Worcester County, 0.86 mi NE of Winchendon
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.690, -72.040

Lightning, Essex

When: August 15, 4:25 PM EST
Where: Essex County, Merrimac
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.830, -71.000

Lightning struck a house on Broad Street, causing a fire.

Hail, Essex

When: August 15, 4:27 PM EST
Where: Essex County, 0.51 mi W of Georgetown
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.730, -70.990

Hail, Middlesex

When: August 15, 5:02 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, 0.51 mi W of Bleachery
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.380, -71.240

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 5:15 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, 0.86 mi SE of Newton
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.340, -71.210

A tree was downed onto a house on Glastonbury Oval.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk

When: August 15, 5:16 PM EST
Where: Norfolk County, 1.47 mi SSW of Wellesley
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.300, -71.290

A large tree and wires on Pine Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk

When: August 15, 5:35 PM EST
Where: Norfolk County, 0.86 mi NW of Avon
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.130, -71.040

Trees, wires, and a utility pole were downed on Main Street and Page Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 5:41 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

A tree and wires were downed onto a house on Purington Avenue.

Hail, Middlesex

When: August 15, 5:53 PM EST to 5:56 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

Penny to nickel size hail fell in Natick.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 5:58 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

Multiple trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in the west end of the city.

Flood, Middlesex

When: August 15, 6:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, 0.79 mi SW of Natick to 1.4 mi ESE of Natick
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.273, -71.362

Route 9 near the pumping station was flooded. The intersection of Speen and Timer Streets was closed due to flooding. A small car was stuck in the flood waters. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority train tracks were flooded near downtown Natick. The first floor of Coolidge Gardens on Cottage Street was flooded. Four cars were stuck in flood waters at the intersection of Route 9 and Wethersfield Road. The area near the Natick Mall was flooded with six to twelve inches of water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 6:01 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

A tree was downed onto wires on Sherwood Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 6:03 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

Wires on Possum Hollow Lane were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Norfolk

When: August 15, 6:10 PM EST
Where: Norfolk County, 0.86 mi NE of Brookline
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.330, -71.120

Several trees and wires on Route 9 were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 6:11 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

Multiple trees and wires on Robin Hood Road and Ridge Avenue were downed by thunderstorm winds. One of these trees was downed onto a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 6:15 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

Trees and wires on Oak Street, Kinsman Place, and Union Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 6:29 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Natick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.350

A tree on Union Street near Kindred Hospital was downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 6:40 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.51 mi W of Turners Falls
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.600, -72.560

A tree and wires on Federal Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Flood, Franklin

When: August 15, 6:40 PM EST to 7:40 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.26 mi SSE of Millers Falls to 0.34 mi ESE of Millers Falls
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.577, -72.497

One hundred yards of Route 63 near Millers Falls Road was flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 6:49 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.51 mi E of Millers Falls
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.580, -72.490

Trees and wires on West Mineral Road and West Main Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 6:55 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.86 mi SW of Montague Station
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.540, -72.540

A tree and wires on Denton Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 6:55 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.86 mi NW of Orange
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.590, -72.310

A tree on Daniel Shays Highway was downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, Leverett
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.450, -72.500

Trees and wires on Shutesbury Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 7:01 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.86 mi SW of Montague Station
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.540, -72.540

Wires on Pleasant Road and Adams Street were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Lightning, Plymouth

When: August 15, 7:03 PM EST
Where: Plymouth County, 0.86 mi SW of Norwell
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.160, -70.790

Lightning struck a house on Henry's Lane, causing an attic fire.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: August 15, 7:23 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.86 mi NW of Shutesbury
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.460, -72.410

A tree on West Pelham Road was downed by thunderstorm winds.

Flood, Norfolk

When: August 15, 7:25 PM EST to 8:25 PM EST
Where: Norfolk County, 0.49 mi WNW of Sharon to 0.48 mi WSW of Sharon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.122, -71.179

A portion of Billings Street was flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Worcester

When: August 15, 8:25 PM EST
Where: Worcester County, 0.69 mi N of South Worcester
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.260, -71.800

Trees on Randolph Road, Monadnock Road, and Winifred Avenue were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Flood, Worcester

When: August 15, 8:30 PM EST to 9:20 PM EST
Where: Worcester County, 0.64 mi ENE of Summit to 0.67 mi NNW of (Orh)worcester Muni
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.334, -71.789

Park Avenue south of Sagamore Road, Park Avenue and Highland Street, Cedar Street were all flooded and impassable. Cars were stuck in flood waters that were up to waist deep on Pelham Street.

Flood, Middlesex

When: August 15, 9:13 PM EST to 10:13 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, 1.55 mi S of Framingham to 1.86 mi SSW of Nobscot
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.258, -71.421

Pearl, Sanger, Waverly, Beech, Henry and Thompson Streets and Union Avenue were all flooded and impassable. Cars were stuck in flood waters on Union Avenue. Waverly Street was closed near Marble Street where several cars were stuck. Cars were stuck in flood waters on Route 9, Union Avenue, Beech Street, and Henry Street. The intersection of Bishop Street and Lawrence Street was closed. Several cars were stuck in flood waters. Parts of Route 9 were flooded with four to five feet of water.

Thunderstorm Wind, Middlesex

When: August 15, 9:37 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Framingham
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.280, -71.420

A large tree was downed onto Winthrop Street at Bethany Road.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
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.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Massachusetts in 2015 Every state in 2015 This day in weather history Warnings in Massachusetts, August 2015

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: 598458, 598482, 598459, 598460, 598463, 598462, 598481, 598464, 598461, 598465, 598484, 598466, 598467, 598468, 598469, 598471, 598470, 598472, 598485, 598474, 598473, 598477, 598475, 598476, 598483, 598478, 598486, 598479, 598487, 598488, 598480.