A cold front approached the state from the west on the afternoon of July 8th. Ahead of the front, a very hot and humid air mass was in place resulting in good instability.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GYX wrote it up.
A cold front approached the state from the west on the afternoon of July 8th. Ahead of the front, a very hot and humid air mass was in place resulting in good instability. Moderate to strong speed shear associated with a deep shortwave helped organize convection into lines and bowing line segments. Wind damage was the primary threat with the storms that developed, along with very heavy rainfall.
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 Gray, ME wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 8, 9:09 AM EST, 2 hours 47 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 1009 AM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will push east through the region today and offshore overnight. A secondary cold front will settle south into the region on Sunday and will lift north as a warm front on Monday. A cold front will approach from the north on Tuesday and will drop south through the region Tuesday night. High pressure will build in from the northwest on Wednesday and will shift offshore Wednesday night. A warm front will lift northeast into the region Thursday and Thursday night. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... 930am update... First line of storms moving in from Vermont towards Coos county NH has mainly weakened over the past few hours but may still produce a few gusty winds. The main threat for the afternoon will be a bit further south a bit later in the day as cells currently over Albany NY move eastwards. Have added damaging winds and large hail wording to the area that is currently seeing sun, from NH south of the notches through the coastal plain of Maine. Precipitation amounts will be highest across the north with basin averaged amounts less than 0.5". Still some concern for a few isolated cells dropping up to 2" but would be over a very small area. 6 AM Update... Convection causing wind damage are moving across northern New York as well as southeastern Canada. The strongest cells were located over the North Country of New York State and were moving into the Mohawk Valley. Speed tools indicate these storms are still several hours away assuming they hold together...perhaps as early as 10-11 AM for northwestern NH. PoPs as well as temperatures were adjusted for latest data. Previous discussion... Surface analysis show low pressure moving through the Gulf of Maine and into the Canadian Maritimes. Precipitation associated with this system had moved east of the region. Clouds and low level moisture remained with southerly winds bringing dew points into the 60s into the area. Also in the vicinity were a pre- frontal trough and a stationary front was located over southern Quebec and entered the United States over the Great Lakes. This boundary will push east and south today triggering widespread thunderstorms and showers. Storms should organize along the boundary and move into northern sections by 11 AM or so before shifting south throughout the afternoon and evening. Instability will be enough for some strong cells with SW winds bringing temps into the 70s and 80s... but shear will be lacking especially in the lower levels. Therefore expecting garden variety storms with a chance for small hail, gusty winds, and very heavy rainfall as cells train along the boundary. A few storms will be strong with the potential for damaging winds and or/marginally severe hail. PW values jump to over an inch and a half along the front. As a cold pool forms a broken squall line will develop for the majority of the event before shifting offshore this evening. QPF looks highest for the mountains where more forcing will be initially...but individual storms will pose an urban and small stream/flash flood potential as they dump lots of rain in a short amount of time. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM SUNDAY/... Temperatures during the overnight hours will range from the mid 50s north and west to lower 60s south and east. Some fog is expected to develop especially over areas where there is heavy rain. Drier and cooler air moves in behind the system with dew points dropping into the 40s in the mountains during the day Sunday. Mostly sunny skies will prevail with a few additional clouds for the higher terrain in upslope flow. Light showers may develop near the Canadian border in the heat of the day as another cold front approaches. Temperatures will warm into the 70s north to lower to mid 80s south. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... Cold front will settle south into the region and stall over the area Sunday night. Moisture starved boundary may produce a few showers in the north but most areas will only see variable clouds overnight. Lows overnight will range through the 50s to near 60. Stalled frontal boundary will lift north as a warm front Monday and Monday night. Front will be the focus for scattered showers and some afternoon thunderstorms mainly in central and northern zones. High temps across the north will range through the 70s and in the lower to mid 80s south. Convection will gradually taper to showers Monday night with best chance of rain in northern zones. Lows will range from the mid 50s north to the mid 60s south. A cold front will approach from the northwest on Tuesday with a pre-frontal trough swinging in from the west during the afternoon. PWAT's approaching 1.5 inches will add plenty of fuel to the mix and moderate shear may result in some stronger cells producing wind damage and small hail. Highs on Tuesday will range from the mid 70s to mid 80s. Showers and thunderstorms will come to an end Tuesday evening as the front pushes offshore. Looking for clear skies overnight with lows in the mid 50s to mid 60s. High pressure will build in from the northwest on Wednesday bringing cooler and less humid air into the region. Looking for mostly sunny skies with highs from the lower 70s north to the lower 80s south. High pressure will crest over the area Wednesday night before moving offshore. Should see mostly clear skies with lows in the 50s to near 60. Warm front will approach from the southwest Thursday bringing increasing clouds and a chance of afternoon showers. Highs will range through the 70s. Warm front will lift northeast into the region Thursday night and will remain the focus for occasional showers overnight. Low pressure moving east through southern Quebec on Friday will drive a cold front toward the region producing another round of showers and thunderstorms in another warm and soupy airmass. Showers and thunderstorms Friday evening will gradually end as the front pushes offshore by Saturday morning. && .AVIATION /14Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Short Term...A mix of stratus, fog, and mid level clouds is spread across northern New England this morning as low level moisture increases. Periods of LIFR/IFR are possible for a few hours this morning mostly due to stratus. Showers and thunderstorms will form along a southward moving cold front today with VFR ceilings. Patchy fog is likely tonight some of which may be IFR. Conditions improve Sunday morning as drier air arrives. HIE may have another chance of -TSRA late Sunday. Long Term...VFR Sunday night through Wednesday. && .MARINE... Short Term...Criteria for seas and winds will not be met for the most part. We may see seas touch 5 ft over the far outer eastern waters early Sunday morning, but it will be brief. Long Term...SCAs for seas may be needed on Tuesday. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM...Curtis SHORT TERM...Hanes LONG TERM...Sinsabaugh AVIATION... MARINE...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Gray ME 1050 AM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 MEZ007>009-012>014-018>028-NHZ001>015-091500- Northern Oxford-Northern Franklin-Central Somerset-Southern Oxford- Southern Franklin-Southern Somerset-Interior York- Interior Cumberland-Androscoggin-Kennebec-Interior Waldo- Coastal York-Coastal Cumberland-Sagadahoc-Lincoln-Knox-Coastal Waldo- Northern Coos-Southern Coos-Northern Grafton-Northern Carroll- Southern Grafton-Southern Carroll-Sullivan-Merrimack-Belknap- Strafford-Cheshire-Eastern Hillsborough-Interior Rockingham- Coastal Rockingham-Western And Central Hillsborough- 1050 AM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Maine, south central Maine, southwest Maine, west central Maine, western Maine, New Hampshire, central New Hampshire, northern New Hampshire and southern New Hampshire. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a marginal risk for a severe thunderstorms across New Hampshire and western Maine through this evening. Some storms may produce hail, damaging winds, and very heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Scattered thunderstorms will develop Tuesday as a cold front approaches from the west. Some storms may produce damaging winds and small hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. ANZ150>154-091500- Coastal Waters from Stonington, ME to Port Clyde, ME out 25 NM- Penobscot Bay- Coastal Waters from Port Clyde, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME out 25 NM- Casco Bay- Coastal Waters from Cape Elizabeth, ME to Merrimack River, MA out 25 NM- 1050 AM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Isolated thunderstorms with strong winds may cross the waters later tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
1128 AM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
MEZ007>009-012-013-NHZ001-002-081615-
Northern Oxford-Southern Oxford-Southern Franklin-Northern
Franklin-Central Somerset-Northern Coos-Southern Coos-
1128 AM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHERN OXFORD...WEST
CENTRAL SOMERSET...FRANKLIN AND SOUTHEASTERN COOS COUNTIES...
At 1127 AM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Coburn Gore to 7 miles southeast of
Berlin. Movement was east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Berlin, Bethel, Jackman, Eustis, Coburn Gore, Rangeley, Rumford,
Dixfield, Andover, Carrabassett Valley, Errol, Grafton, Weld, Mexico,
Phillips, Gorham, Greenwood, Carthage, Avon and Dallas Plantation.
This also includes...
Umbagog Lake State Park, Old Speck Mountain, Saddleback Mountain,
Sugarloaf Mountain, and Crocker Mountain.
LAT...LON 4427 7053 4431 7121 4526 7090 4524 7089
4524 7084 4532 7080 4540 7082 4543 7077
4539 7072 4538 7064 4543 7063 4551 7072
4560 7008
TIME...MOT...LOC 1527Z 266DEG 24KT 4544 7078 4439 7112
BeckerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
1138 AM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
NHZ005-081630-
Southern Grafton-
1138 AM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN GRAFTON COUNTY...
At 1137 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over White River
Junction, moving east at 30 mph.
Locations impacted include...
Lebanon, Grafton, Hanover, Enfield, Canaan, Danbury, Groton,
Grantham, Lyme, Hill, Hebron, Dorchester, Orange and Rumney.
This includes Interstate 89 between mile markers 48 and 60.
LAT...LON 4367 7230 4369 7231 4376 7222 4380 7181
4356 7178 4354 7182 4361 7185 4354 7193
4354 7204 4355 7207 4354 7208 4354 7212
4355 7211 4359 7221 4360 7234
TIME...MOT...LOC 1537Z 266DEG 24KT 4365 7235
BeckerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
1148 AM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
MEZ009-081630-
Central Somerset-
1148 AM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN SOMERSET COUNTY...
At 1148 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 14 miles north of
Jackman, moving east at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Seboomook, Soldiertown, Sandy Bay, Hammond, Plymouth, Alder Brook,
Pittston Academy Grant, Comstock, Moose River and Town Of Thorndike.
LAT...LON 4583 6973 4567 7039 4581 7040 4584 7037
4589 7026 4593 7026 4597 7021 4598 6982
TIME...MOT...LOC 1548Z 249DEG 22KT 4583 7030
BeckerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
1203 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
MEZ018-NHZ007>009-011-015-081645-
Interior York-Merrimack-Belknap-Western And Central
Hillsborough-Cheshire-Sullivan-
1203 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN
SULLIVAN...CHESHIRE...NORTHWESTERN HILLSBOROUGH...CENTRAL BELKNAP AND
MERRIMACK COUNTIES...
At 1202 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 6 miles south of Danbury to Charlemont.
Movement was east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Concord, Keene, Laconia, Franklin, Jaffrey, Henniker, Peterborough,
Rindge, Hopkinton, Loudon, Alton, Barnstead, Winchester, Gilmanton,
Antrim, Canterbury, Greenfield, Bradford, Dublin and Francestown.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 89 between mile markers 2 and 29.
Interstate 93 between mile markers 38 and 62.
This also includes...
Mount Monadnock and Mount Kearsage.
LAT...LON 4294 7253 4347 7183 4359 7129 4354 7116
4364 7098 4365 7098 4367 7091 4352 7118
4347 7118 4272 7216 4273 7246 4276 7248
4277 7251 4286 7256
TIME...MOT...LOC 1602Z 255DEG 35KT 4344 7182 4262 7288
BeckerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
1208 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
MEZ007>009-012>014-081700-
Northern Oxford-Southern Oxford-Southern Franklin-Southern
Somerset-Northern Franklin-Central Somerset-
1208 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL OXFORD...
CENTRAL SOMERSET AND SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
At 1207 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from 14 miles west of Seboomook to near
Bethel. Movement was east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Farmington, Bethel, Jackman, Eustis, Rumford, Jay, Dixfield,
Kingfield, Canton, Bingham, Andover, Carrabassett Valley, Blanchard,
Wilton, Phillips, Weld, Seboomook, Mexico, Kingsbury Plantation and
Anson.
This also includes...
Saddleback Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Crocker Mountain, The
Bigelows, and West Carry Pond.
LAT...LON 4587 6965 4585 6968 4588 6971 4587 6972
4584 6970 4576 6972 4576 6976 4577 6978
4574 6981 4569 6978 4565 6973 4565 6970
4558 6971 4554 6978 4513 6966 4440 7040
4433 7095 4590 7007 4598 6979 4598 6968
TIME...MOT...LOC 1607Z 254DEG 20KT 4586 7002 4442 7083
BeckerPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
1252 PM EDT SAT JUL 08 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1251 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 ESE MARLBOROUGH 42.89N 72.12W
07/08/2017 CHESHIRE NH AMATEUR RADIO
TREE DOWN ON WIRES
&&
EVENT NUMBER GYX1704129
KIMBLEThe Portland,ME radar (KGYX), 133 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:54 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm downed large limbs near Wyman Dam.
A severe thunderstorm downed a tree on a road in Newhall.
A severe thunderstorm downed trees on a road in Bar Mills.
A severe thunderstorm downed a 50 foot tall maple tree in York harbor.
A severe thunderstorm downed large branches on power lines in Hollis Center.
A severe thunderstorm downed trees and wires on Valley Road in Cumberland.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Maine in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Maine, July 2017
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: 712881, 712883, 712885, 712886, 712888, 712890.