A cold front slid across Southern New England, led by a shortwave trough. High moisture content to the airmass allowed for heavy downpours, while breaks of sunshine generated sufficient instability for damaging thunderstorms.
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 BOX wrote it up.
A cold front slid across Southern New England, led by a shortwave trough. High moisture content to the airmass allowed for heavy downpours, while breaks of sunshine generated sufficient instability for damaging thunderstorms.
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 Jul 12, 9:58 AM EST, 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Taunton MA
1058 AM EDT Wed Jul 12 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front over Northern New England will slowly slide south,
crossing Southern New England tonight and Thursday. This will
bring showers and a few thunderstorms, some with heavy downpours
and potential for local flooding. A few may also produce strong
wind gusts. The front will shift south during Friday, but there
will still be scattered showers and thunderstorms into Saturday
as weak low pressure moves across. Weak high pressure will
bring a brief period of mild, less humid conditions Saturday
night into Sunday. Another front approaches later Sunday into
Monday with a few showers and/or thunderstorms. Warm and humid
conditions return by Tuesday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 9 PM THIS EVENING/...
*** Flash Flood Watch In Effect Until 9 PM ***
1045 AM Update...
Main update to the forecast was to hoist a Flash Flood Watch for
the potential of torrential downpours and localized flooding
this afternoon. Very anomalous airmass over the region this
morning with PWATs nearing 2 inches (+2 SD), 925 mb dew pts of
+19C and surface dew pts rising to 70-75! In addition warm cloud
depths greater than 10 kft/4km may enhance rainfall rates.
Furthermore, 12z observed soundings reveal deep layer of
unidirectional winds, supportive of training cells.
Regarding instability, with temps soaring into the 80s to near
90 today MLcapes will increase up to 2000 j/kg. This combined
with modest mid level lapse rates of around 6C/KM will support
robust updraft potential. Deep layer shear is lacking at 20-25
kt but instability will be great enough to compensate for this.
So while storms will pulse up quickly late this morning and then
collapse, as instability increases storms will be sustained
longer. Given the moisture loaded column, a wet microburst is
possible.
Now just need some forcing for ascent to unleash this flash
flood and severe potential. This lift will be provided by short
wave trough currently moving across PA. Given this featuer will
likely advect east expecting greatest forcing for ascent should
occur over CT/RI and south of the Mass Pike. So this will be an
area of enhanced risk for flash flooding and strong to severe
storms. Also models have best low level moisture pooling across
CT/RI and southeast MA with sfc dew pts climbing into the mid
70s! Another potential area to watch is a subtle backdoor front
or seabreeze boundary may emerge out of northeast MA. This
could provide another focus for flash flooding and strong to
severe storms.
Thus given the above attributes we have issued a flash flood
watch for all of northern CT/RI and south of the Mass Pike. This
is also where the 00z NCAR ensembles have the highest probs for
2+ inch rainfall today.
As for area of dense fog MVY/ACK, satellite trends suggest back
edge of stratus east of BID and moving steadily eastward. So
should see breaks of sunshine this afternoon across MVY/ACK.
&&
.SHORT TERM /9 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY/... The
cold front moves south through the region tonight and Thursday.
The forecast weak pressure and wind fields makes it difficult to
determine exact placement beyond the trend of a slow movement
south. Low pressure from the Great Lakes moves along the front
during this period and brings an increase in overrunning across
the front in the area leading the low. Supporting upper jet also
approaches by Thursday and may contribute additional forcing.
Expect showers/tstms during this period with the continued high
moisture content supporting heavy downpours. As with Wednesday,
there are more question marks regarding strong wind gusts...but
enough possibility to mention gusty winds.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
* Cooler conditions with onshore winds Friday
* Another chance for showers/thunderstorms as another front
approaches late Friday into Saturday
* Another chance of wet conditions Monday and Tuesday
Overview...
Continued mainly zonal mid level steering northern stream flow
continues Thursday night into Friday, then H5 short wave trough
develops over the Great Lakes in response to redevelopment of
high amplitude ridging across the western U.S. into western
Canada.
Slowly moving front in the zonal flow will keep warm and humid
conditions through Friday, then should shift off the S coast as
high pres passes across northern New England. Will see brief
break in the warm and humid conditions on Friday into Saturday,
then will start to return into early next week. May see a few
showers and thunderstorms as a few more fast moving fronts push
across early next week.
Details...
Thursday night and Friday...
Front slows to a creep across the region Thursday night into
early Friday as a weak low pres wave moves along it. Will see
periods of showers and scattered thunderstorms through this
timeframe. The front will slowly shift S during Friday, with the
best chance for showers/tstms mainly S of the Mass Pike. Pretty
good low level convergence along the front, as well as a plume
of PWATs up to 2 to 2.1 inches will likely produce very heavy
downpours across some areas. Continue to mention this aspect in
the forecast.
Also kept mention of gusty winds in any thunderstorms through
around midnight Thu night, though some question how much will
mix down as front pushes S, taking the low level jet (around
25-35 kt) with it. Still noting a marginal chance for strong to
possibly severe thunderstorms across CT/RI/SE Mass, possibly as
far N and extreme S Worcester county into Hampden county.
The front does work off the S coast during Friday, but moisture
lingers so will still see scattered showers. Also, some
instability linger across S coastal areas, so can not rule out a
few passing thunderstorms, mainly from late morning through the
afternoon.
Temps will fall back to the mid and upper 50s across the higher
inland terrain Thu night, with readings in the 60-65 degree
range elsewhere. Highs will be cooler on Friday, mainly in the
lower to mid 70s though a few higher inland spots may not break
70.
Saturday and Sunday...
Mainly dry both days, though can not rule out a few stray
showers mainly across inland areas each day. There may even an
isolated thunderstorm during the midday and afternoon hours
across N central and western Mass during Sunday as mid level
short wave and weak surface system crosses the region.
Temps will run up to 5 degrees below seasonal levels on
Saturday, but warm readings return on Sunday as winds shift
back to the S-SW.
Monday and Tuesday...
Lower than average confidence in typical summer pattern with
diurnal development of widely sct showers/thunderstorms mainly
across the interior each day. A front approaches Monday but
tends to weaken as it shifts E.
&&
.AVIATION /15Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Thursday/...
1045 AM update...
T-storms this afternoon should be focused south of the Mass Pike
southward into CT/RI. A second area of concern will be over
northeast MA late today. Main threat with any T-storm is
torrential downpours with localized flooding and gusty winds.
Regarding IFR/LIFR in fog over MVY/ACK will move offshore by
18z. Previous discussion below.
======================================================================
Through today...
Areas of IFR in fog and low clouds this morning, but should
improve to VFR by midday. May see IFR CIGS/MVFR VSBYS across the
outer Cape and Nantucket through 20Z-21Z. Light SW winds may
give way to sea breezes along the coasts. Scattered
showers/tstms will bring brief MVFR CIGS/VSBYS. Locally heavy
downpours with some of the storms may bring brief IFR
CIGS/VSBYS.
Tonight and Thursday...
A cold front slowly drifts south across Southern New England
with winds shifting from light southwest on the south side of
the front to coming from the north and northeast on the north
side of the front. Showers and a few thunderstorms will develop
and move across the region. MVFR cigs/vsbys are possible with
these storms, and local IFR conditions in locally heavy
downpours.
High moisture content to the air will favor IFR vsbys in areas
of fog tonight and early Thursday, with locally dense fog along
the south coast.
KBOS Terminal...Light winds overall. This will allow an
onshore, sea-breeze flow around midday. Showers and scattered
thunderstorms may form along the boundary, or intensify as they
cross the sea breeze boundary. This would increase rain
intensity and reduce cigs and vsbys for a short time.
KBDL Terminal...VFR, but brief MVFR possible with showers around
10-11Z. Potential for showers/thunder after 16z today.
Outlook /Thursday Night through Sunday/...
Thursday night through Friday night...Moderate confidence.
Areas of MVFR-IFR CIGS/VSBYS continue with scattered showers
and thunderstorms. Areas of fog late Thu night into early Fri.
VSBYS improve to mainly VFR during the day Friday, though patchy
fog may redevelop with MVFR-IFR VSBYS Fri night.
Saturday and Sunday...Low to moderate confidence.
Should see mainly low end VFR CIGS, though may see MVFR-IFR
CIGS develop each night especially across inland valleys and
along the coast. Patchy fog may bring MVFR-IFR VSBYS each night
as well. Expect general light S-SW winds with local sea breezes
each day possible.
&&
.MARINE...
FORECASTER CONFIDENCE LEVELS...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Thursday/...
Light S-SW flow today and tonight. A cold front slowly slides
south across the waters tonight and Thursday, and will bring a
wind shift. Winds will come from the north and northeast behind
the front Thursday. Seas will remain less than 5 feet through
the period.
Showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon. Continued
risk of showers/storms as the cold front moves through tonight
and Thursday. Some storms will have heavy downpours and poor
visibility. Strong wind gusts are also possible.
Outlook /Thursday Night through Sunday/...Moderate confidence.
Thursday night...
E-NE winds 10-15 kt. Gusts up to 20 kt on the outer waters
mainly after midnight. Seas 4 ft or less. Showers and scattered
thunderstorms. Areas of fog with visibilities below 2 miles
likely mainly on the southern waters.
Friday and Friday night...
E winds 10-15 kt Friday backing to N-NE and diminishing Fri
night, though may shift to light SW on the southern waters.
Seas mainly 4 ft or less, but may reach close to 5 ft at times
on the southern outer waters. Continued visibility restrictions
in areas of fog mainly during the nighttime hours. Chance for
showers/thunderstorms.
Saturday and Sunday...
Light N-NE winds Saturday, shifting to S-SW Sat night then W-SW
Sunday. Seas mainly 4 ft or less, but may reach 5 ft at times on
the outer waters S and E of Nantucket Saturday. Some patchy fog
with visibilities locally below 3 miles mainly during the late
night/early morning hours.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Flash Flood Watch until 9 PM EDT this evening for CTZ002>004.
MA...Flash Flood Watch until 9 PM EDT this evening for MAZ009-
011>013-015>021.
RI...Flash Flood Watch until 9 PM EDT this evening for RIZ001>007.
MARINE...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...WTB/EVT
NEAR TERM...Nocera
SHORT TERM...WTB
LONG TERM...EVT
AVIATION...WTB/Nocera/EVT
MARINE...WTB/EVTHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Taunton MA 1108 AM EDT Wed Jul 12 2017 CTZ002>004-MAZ009-011>013-015>021-RIZ001>007-122200- Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Hampden MA- Eastern Hampden MA-Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA- Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA- Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-Southern Bristol MA- Southern Plymouth MA-Northwest Providence RI-Southeast Providence RI- Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-Washington RI-Newport RI- 1108 AM EDT Wed Jul 12 2017 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, central Massachusetts, eastern Massachusetts, southeastern Massachusetts, western Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and southern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Thursday... There is the potential of heavy rainfall in any thunderstorms during Thursday into Thursday night which may produce localized flooding. A few storms may also produce strong to damaging winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is expected at this time. MAZ022>024-RIZ008-122200- Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-Nantucket MA-Block Island RI- 1108 AM EDT Wed Jul 12 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts and southern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is the possibility for heavy rainfall in any thunderstorms that may develop today into tonight. Some localized urban and poor drainage flooding may result. Some thunderstorms may produce local strong wind gusts mainly this afternoon and evening. There is a low risk of localized wind damage. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Thursday... There is the potential of heavy rainfall in any thunderstorms during Thursday into Thursday night which may produce localized flooding. A few storms may also produce strong to damaging winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-122200- 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- 1108 AM EDT Wed Jul 12 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts and Rhode Island coastal waters. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A few strong thunderstorms are possible near shore this afternoon and early evening. .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. MAZ002>008-010-014-026-122200- Western Franklin MA-Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA- Central Middlesex MA-Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA- Western Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Southeast Middlesex MA- Northern Middlesex MA- 1108 AM EDT Wed Jul 12 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Massachusetts, eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts and western Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. There is the possibility for heavy rainfall in any thunderstorms that may develop today into tonight. Some localized urban and poor drainage flooding may result. Some thunderstorms may produce local strong wind gusts mainly this afternoon and evening. There is a low risk of localized wind damage. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Thursday... There is the potential of heavy rainfall in any thunderstorms during Thursday into Thursday night which may produce localized flooding. A few storms may also produce strong to damaging winds. .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
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Taunton MA
1101 AM EDT WED JUL 12 2017
MAZ013-016-018-019-121530-
Eastern Plymouth MA-Western Norfolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-
Western Plymouth MA-
1101 AM EDT WED JUL 12 2017
...Strong Thunderstorm in east central Norfolk and northwestern
Plymouth Counties...
At 1100 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Holbrook, or near Randolph, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will accompany this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Brockton, Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, Randolph, Milton, Stoughton,
Marshfield, Hingham, Canton, Scituate, Pembroke, Rockland, Abington,
Whitman, Hanover, East Bridgewater, Holbrook, Norwell and Hull.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive through flooded roads or underpasses. Avoid low lying
areas near small streams.
These storms may intensity and become capable of producing damage.
Stay tuned for updated statements and possible warnings.
&&
LAT...LON 4207 7087 4203 7103 4219 7114 4233 7087
4232 7087 4227 7080 4227 7076 4226 7074
4221 7070 4218 7071 4213 7067
TIME...MOT...LOC 1500Z 243DEG 23KT 4215 7100
DUNTENThe Boston radar (KBOX), 36 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:31 UTC.
15 thunderstorm wind, 15 flood, 3 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
At 1130 AM EST, a lightning strike caused a shed fire on Free Street in Hingham.
At 1142 AM EST, a tree was knocked down on Warren Street in Upton. At 1150 AM EST, multiple trees and wires were brought down on Fowler Street in Upton.
At 1147 AM EST, a tree was brought down on Merriam Road in Grafton.
At 1150 AM EST, a tree was down on a car on route 140 in Mendon near Gasco Fuel.
At 1150 AM EST, multiple trees and wires were down on Fowler Street in Upton.
At Noon EST, one and one-quarter inch diameter hail fell at Milford. One-inch diameter hail fell at Milford at 1157 AM.
At 1218 PM EST, trees were brought down on Arnold Street in Westfield. At 1220 PM EST, power lines were brought down on Washington Street.
At 1240 PM EST, a tree was brought down on North Westfield Street in Agawam.
At 1255 PM EST, Thurston Street in Wrentham was closed due to street flooding. At 119 PM EST, one lane of East Street was closed due to street flooding.
At 107 PM EST, a tree was brought down on wires on West Street in Mansfield.
At 250 PM EST, trees were brought down on Route 44 in Rehoboth. Trees were also brought down on Cedar Street, River Street, and Bay State Road between 250 PM and 310 PM EST. Multiple trees and wires were brought down on Elm Street and County Street.
At 304 PM EST, a tree was brought down on wires on Prospect Street in Dighton.
At 305 PM EST, dime size hail was reported in Dighton.
At 308 PM EST, trees were brought down on wires on Water Street and Jeffrey Lane in Freetown. Multiple trees were brought down on Main Street.
At 315 PM EST, dime size hail was reported at Freetown.
At 333 PM EST, multiple cars were trapped in flood waters on Water Street in Quincy.
At 5 PM EST, Mill Street in Agawam had a two foot depth of water between Henry Street and Poplar Street.
At 355 PM EST, manhole covers on Main Street in Springfield were popping due to flooding. The area was near a McDonalds.
At 430 PM EST, multiple streets in Dudley were flooded and impassable.
At 430 PM EST, two large trees were down on Lempicki Road in Dudley.
At 505 PM EST, heavy rain from a thunderstorm flooded the terminal building at Hanscom Field in Bedford. Flood waters reached a depth of nearly two feet.
At 503 PM EST, in Chelmsford, Billerica Road near Turnpike Road was impassable due to flooding.
At 538 PM EST, West Main Street in Dudley was flooded and impassable near the Connecticut State Line. Also, Southbridge Road near near the Connecticut State Line was also flooded and impassable. Also, at 626 PM EST Center Road was flooded and impassable.
At 538 PM EST, Worcester Road in Webster near All-Star Paintball was flooded and impassable.
At 544 PM EST, a tree was downed in Watertown on Charles River Road at Irving Street. Multiple trees and wires were also downed on Pleasant Street.
At 647 PM EST, trees were reported down on Lake Avenue in Newton. A tree was also reported down on wires on Lowell Avenue, and a tree was down on a car at Anthony Circle. Trees and wires were down on Fordham Road. A tree was blocking the road near 73 Blake Street.
At 553 PM EST, flooding was reported on Acton Street in the Bemis section of Watertown with manhole covers being lifted.
At 604 PM EST, Second Avenue in Waltham was impassable due to flooding. Flooding was also reported on Sutton Avenue.
At 604 PM EST, cars were disabled due to flooding in Lexington on Waltham Street at Route 2. At 645 PM EST, Lowell Street in Lexington was flooded and impassable between Bryant Road and Fairlawn Lane.
At 605 PM EST, a tree was reported down on Beacon Street in Boston.
At 606 PM EST, the intersection of Lexington Street and Warren Street was blocked by downed trees.
At 647 PM EST, Medford Street in East Somerville was flooded and impassable at the underpass beneath the railroad tracks. At 709 PM EST, Washington Street was flooded and impassable beneath the Route 28 overpass.
At 647 PM EST, Goreham Street in West Somerville was flooded and impassable. Simpson Avenue was also flooded and impassable. At 715 PM EST, a car was reported stuck in flood waters at Holland and Wallace Streets.
At 717 PM EST, Carter Street in Chelsea was under a foot and a half of water between Addison Street and Beech Street. At 724 PM, the Revere Beach Parkway eastbound near Webster Avenue was closed due to flooding.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Massachusetts in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, 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: 710225, 710227, 710228, 711111, 711112, 710222, 710231, 710234, 710198, 710236, 710242, 710247, 710223, 710249, 710224, 710204, 710207, 710206, 710208, 711114, 712168, 710212, 710209, 710210, 711115, 711365, 710215, 710216, 710217, 711366, 711367, 710219, 710220, 710221.