September brought more dry weather and continued drought conditions to much of southern New England. For many, the drought began in July 2016.
Every event with a place to put it; 21 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
September brought more dry weather and continued drought conditions to much of southern New England. For many, the drought began in July 2016. At this point, this is a drought categorized largely by well below normal precipitation and groundwater and agricultural impacts. Most of the region experienced below normal rainfall during the month of September.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs expanded the drought warning into the southeastern portion of the state, and a drought watch was expanded into Cape Cod and the Islands on September 9th. Soil moisture (measured by the Climate Prediction Center) was abnormally dry or drier. Groundwater conditions (measured by the United States Geological Survey) were found to be below to well below normal for most of Massachusetts. Cape Cod and the Islands were normal at this time. River and streamflow conditions were below to well below normal with 16 gage sites in southern New England at record low levels.
Farmers have had to irrigate their crops much more than normal for September. Losses were started to be reported by producers in the Connecticut River valley area of Massachusetts. In addition, sources of irrigation have been dwindling. While data thus far has been anecdotal, many farmers are having to choose which fields to irrigate and which to let go, as well as not doing 2nd and 3rd plantings of late summer crops. Known losses, according to the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, include a total loss of the peach crop, reduced apple and cranberry crops, and no second and third cut hay. The Massachusetts state government declared on September 7th to make up to $1 million in microloan funds available to small, family owned farms who suffered losses due to the drought. Eleven counties in Massachusetts were declared primary disaster counties due to the drought. They include: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Worcester Counties. Farms in these counties are eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
More than 160 public water systems in Massachusetts have imposed some sort of water use restrictions, 70 of those have the strictest parameters in place, allowing residents to use outdoor water one day a week or less. One of these was Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts. Worcester banned outdoor water use in early September and ordered restaurants to stop serving tap water unless requested by a customer because their reservoir system had dropped to 55 percent of capacity. It's reservoirs are typically at 80 percent of capacity going into the fall. In addition, Worcester officials activated an emergency connection to draw water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) at a cost of $1.7 million per month. Other communities that already rely on the MWRA for a portion of their water have increased their demand by 38 percent this year.
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 31, 9:20 PM EST, 2 hours 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Taunton MA
1020 PM EDT WED AUG 31 2016
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front over the Great Lakes sweeps across Southern New
England Thursday. This will bring scattered showers and a few
thunderstorms through that time. High pressure will bring dry and
seasonable weather Friday and Saturday, then we will have to
closely monitor the track and intensity of Tropical Storm Hermine
as it lifts north along the eastern seaboard. Some rain and wind
is possible Sunday into Monday but there is still a lot of
uncertainty. The actual track and intensity of Hermine will
determine the magnitude and extent of impacts for southern New
England.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
Radar showing light echoes moving through CT/RI and SE MA. But
surface obs show these showers falling from 10-12 thousand foot
cloud bases and little change in the clouds for the next few
hours. Upper jet of 90-100 kt moves over New England toward
morning and may provide better dynamic support for showers.
Precipitable water values approach 2 inches so a few locally
heavy downpours possible.
Forecast temps at 10 pm needed to bumped higher by a couple of
degrees. Because of this we bumped min temps up 1-2 degrees as
well.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Thursday... Frontal boundary looks to stall and begin a slow-
washout process across E MA/RI during the afternoon. The risk for
shra/tstms continue with SB CAPES still mainly near or above
500j/kg. Front will provide a focus for sfc convergence, which
models seem to indicate well. So after a brief lull from the first
LLJ during the AM hours, a lull should allow for a reloading of
the sounding for the afternoon. Therefore, feature a secondary
risk for afternoon showers and storms mainly across E MA and RI.
Once again the highest risk is for brief heavy rainfall thanks to
the maintenance of high PWATs, with only a modest risk for any SVR
as shear/instability profiles remain modest themselves.
Temps remain near normal thanks to cloud cover lingering across
the region through much of the day. Expect only mid-upper 70s for
highs.
Thursday night... Modest ridge building as the upper lvl trof
continues to shift. E. This should lead to enough drying for an
end to precip risk across the region as well as some clearing. The
combination of lowering dwpts and clearing skies may allow min
temps to drop back into the 50s and low 60s once again, not as
humid as previous nights.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
HIGHLIGHTS...
* Mainly dry and seasonable Fri/Sat but a few showers possible Fri
* Potential impacts from Hermine may be felt Sun/Mon but will depend
on track/intensity
* Rough surf and rip currents this weekend into early next week
* Increasing heat and humidity toward middle of next week
Overview...
Model guidance is in decent agreement on the overall large scale
pattern leading into next week but obviously there are significant
differences in the details regarding the track/intensity of Tropical
Storm Hermine. 12z guidance suite has trended further west as it
attempts to phase shortwave energy dropping south from the Gt Lakes
with Hermine eventually transitioning to a well developed baroclinic
wave as it lifts north over the Mid Atlc region this weekend. GFS
and CMC global are on the western edge of the guidance envelope
while UKMET is furthest east with ECMWF in between. There is some
clustering of the GEFS members along the coast but also variability.
A wildcard with this storm is strong blocking ridge developing to
the north which will slow and eventually halt its northward movement
with this system possibly remaining south of New England before it
weakens and lifts out around Tue and this could keep the most
significant rain/wind impact to the south. However, this is still a
day 4/5 event and there are many variables in play, especially the
extent of interaction of Hermine with shortwave energy dropping down
from the north and how the blocking ridge comes into play which will
affect the track and intensity of Hermine. We've seen significant
model fluctuations within 48 hours of winter storm events and it is
almost certain there will be more variations in model solutions to
come due to the complexity of the situation. The main impact will
likely occur Sun into Mon but the magnitude and extent is uncertain.
Friday...
Cold front is offshore but models show mid level trof passage and
assocd cold pool with 500 mb temps of -14 to -15C moving across the
region. Models are not generating any instability as dewpoints are
low but can't rule out an isold shower or 2. Seasonable temps in the
70s.
Saturday...
High pressure should remain in control bringing a
continuation of dry and seasonable conditions.
Sunday through Monday...
This should be the timeframe of main impact from Hermine, with best
chance of rain and wind risk during this period, especially Sunday.
The track and intensity will determine the extent and magnitude of
rain/wind with potential impacts ranging from just light rainfall
and minimal wind threat to a worst case scenario of 2 to 4 inches of
rain and moderate wind threat with gusts to 40+ mph. Astro tides are
very low and coastal flooding threat is low although some coastal
erosion is possible if a stronger solution verifies. Bottom line,
continue to monitor the latest NWS and NHC forecasts to be prepared.
But, nothing is set in stone at this point and forecasts will likely
change between now and the weekend.
Tuesday and Wednesday...
What is left of Hermine will be lifting out with strong mid level
ridge building into the region. This will result in increasing heat
and humidity through the middle and end of next week but timing will
depend on how quickly Hermine exits. Potential for 90+ degree heat
by next Wednesday.
&&
.AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels.
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Overnight and early AM...moderate confidence. Increased risk for
shra, some of which may be heavy at times. Low risk for isolated
TS. VFR likely dominates central/E MA and RI, with a risk for some
MVFR/IFR cigs and vsbys late across W MA and CT.
Thursday...high confidence. A return to mainly VFR all terminals.
Although a risk for shra/tstms continue especially E of a line
from NYC-IJD-MHT. These may include some MVFR/IFR conditions. Sea
breezes possible.
Thursday night...high confidence. Risk for shra ends NW to SE
through the night with gradual clearing. VFR dominates.
KBOS Terminal...High confidence in mainly VFR through the period.
Lower confidence in shower timing or sea breeze development
tomorrow.
KBDL Terminal...Moderate confidence, mainly due to uncertainty in
MVFR risk overnight.
Outlook /Friday through Monday/...
Friday and Saturday...High confidence. VFR. Low risk of a few
showers Fri.
Sunday and Monday...Low confidence. Conditions will depend on
track/intensity of Hermine. Potential for IFR with rain and gusty
winds.
&&
.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels.
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Thursday Night/...High confidence.
Lingering swell will gradually dissipate tonight as Tropical
Depression 8 and and Gaston continue to move away from S New
England. Small craft advisories should be able to be dropped.
Otherwise, low risk for some shra and T-storms into tomorrow
evening with localized rougher seas, but once the small crafts
drop tonight, it should remain below small craft thresholds
through the remainder of the period.
Outlook /Friday through Monday/...
Friday through Saturday...High confidence. Expect winds below SCA
with north gusts to 20 kt Fri and NE gusts to 20 kt over southern
waters Sat. Swell may approach 5 ft over outer waters.
Sunday and Monday...Low confidence. Lots of uncertainty for this
time period as forecast will depend largely on track/intensity of
Hermine. Potential for tropical storm force wind gusts and building
seas. Mariners should closely monitor the latest forecasts.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory for hazardous seas until 5 AM EDT
Thursday for ANZ250-254.
&&
SYNOPSIS...KJC/Doody
NEAR TERM...WTB
SHORT TERM...Doody
LONG TERM...KJC
AVIATION...WTB/KJC/Doody
MARINE...WTB/KJC/DoodyHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 423 PM EDT WED AUG 31 2016 CTZ002>004-MAZ002>006-008>014-017-018-026-RIZ001>004-012030- HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA- EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA- WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA- EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA- WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA- WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI- SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI- 423 PM EDT WED AUG 31 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE TONIGHT IN THE INTERIOR. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. THURSDAY...SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE...MAINLY ALONG AND EAST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR. TROPICAL STORM HERMINE MAY IMPACT SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY INTO MONDAY WITH A RAIN AND WIND THREAT. HOWEVER...THERE IS CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY WITH THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF HERMINE WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE MAGNITUDE AND EXTENT OF IMPACT FOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. MAZ007-015-016-019>024-RIZ005>008-012030- EASTERN ESSEX MA-SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA- SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA- NANTUCKET MA-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-BLOCK ISLAND RI- 423 PM EDT WED AUG 31 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND AND SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE TONIGHT IN THE INTERIOR. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. SWELLS FROM TD EIGHT AND TD NINE WILL PRODUCE ROUGH SURF WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF STRONG RIP CURRENTS ALONG OCEAN BEACHES. THURSDAY...SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE...MAINLY ALONG AND EAST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR. TROPICAL STORM HERMINE MAY IMPACT SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY INTO MONDAY WITH A RAIN AND WIND THREAT. HOWEVER...THERE IS CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY WITH THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF HERMINE WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE MAGNITUDE AND EXTENT OF IMPACT FOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-012030- 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- 423 PM EDT WED AUG 31 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. TROPICAL STORM HERMINE MAY IMPACT THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND COASTAL WATERS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. HOWEVER...THERE IS CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY WITH THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF HERMINE WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE MAGNITUDE AND EXTENT OF IMPACT. .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
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
21 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in eastern Franklin County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in northern Worcester County through September 13th. It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in western Middlesex County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in western Essex County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in eastern Essex County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in western Hampshire County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in western Hampden County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in eastern Hampshire County through September 13th. It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in eastern Hampden County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in southern Worcester County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in western Norfolk County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in southeastern Middlesex County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in Suffolk County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in eastern Norfolk County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in northern Bristol County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in western Plymouth County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in eastern Plymouth County through September 13th. It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in southern Bristol County through September 13th. It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in southern Plymouth County through September 13th. It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in Barnstable County through the month of September.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in northwestern Middlesex County through September 13th. It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of September.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Massachusetts in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, September 2016
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: 661022, 661023, 661025, 661026, 661028, 661029, 661030, 661031, 661033, 661034, 661035, 661036, 661037, 661038, 661039, 661041, 661042, 661043, 661045, 661046, 661047.