An approaching shortwave and increasing shear combined with a slow moving cold front to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms on the afternoon of July 28th. Several reports of wind damage were associated with these storms as they moved through western Maine.
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.
An approaching shortwave and increasing shear combined with a slow moving cold front to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms on the afternoon of July 28th. Several reports of wind damage were associated with these storms as they moved through western Maine.
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 28, 2:22 PM EST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gray ME 322 PM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will move through the area overnight, with scattered showers and thunderstorms ending late. Less humid air moves in for Sunday and Monday. High pressure will gradually shift offshore Monday night and Tuesday. A warm front lifts north for Wednesday with a weak cold front slowly following from Canada late Wednesday through Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/... Weak wave coming around base of 500 MB trough to our west will help push a surface cold front thru region overnight. Ahead of the front, will see sct TSRA thru this evening. Still enough low level moisture to produce good instability /1000-1500 J-kg cape/, and a little bit of dynamics moving thru as well, with 1000-500 MB height falls, and some divergence aloft. There's a decent pulse storm environment in place to at least get some updrafts to rotate for a short period of time. Coverage will remain limited, as a glance out to ern NY and wrn New England show the current sct nature of the convection. Sfc front will likely struggle to mix down S and E of the mtns, and although will see Tds drop off some, mins will likely be in the low-mid 60s here and get closer to 60, or even upper 50s in the mtns. With the low level moisture, expect fog, especially in the valleys and along the coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Lower moves in for Sunday, although still not into the refreshing level, but it may feel that way after the last week as Tds drop into the upper 50s to around 60 by Sunday afternoon, partially aided by the weak NW downslope flow. Expect some sct Cu to develop, but should see mainly sunny skies. Sunday night looks like it may be the best sleeping weather night for the foreseeable future as lows drop off into the 50s inland areas to around 60 on the coast and in srn NH. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... The deterministic model solutions are in excellent agreement on the long wave pattern through day 10...lending above average confidence to sensible weather details for latter portions of the forecast period. We begin the period with a broad upper trough extending from the plains states eastward to the eastern seaboard. With time...the upper trough will sharpen up with the axis remaining to our west while the ridge builds off the Atlantic coast. The backing flow surface and aloft will introduce increasingly warm and humid air to the region for the second half of the work week and next weekend with oppressive dew points near or above 70F. The start of the forecast period on Monday is the pick of the week with comfortable dew points in the 50s to around 60F and seasonable temperatures. By early Wednesday...low pressure is passing to our west and pushing a warm front north across the area with a noticeable uptick in humidity levels. With the exception of Monday...we should see rounds of convection each day...with tropical downpours and the potential for localized flooding from Wednesday through the upcoming weekend as precipitable water values hover near 2 inches. && .AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Short Term...Coastal terminals are likely to see the arrival of coastal fog/stratus this evening, which should bring in MVFR early, and IFR or lower later. Also, valley fog expected at KHIE/KLEB, with the chc for some more patchy fog at other terminals. All terminals can expect improvement to VFR by early to mid Sunday morning, and VFR persist through Sunday night, except for the chc of vly fog again at KLEB/KHIE. Long Term... Tue - Thu...Areas of MVFR in shra/tsra...with lcl IFR in nighttimefog. && .MARINE... Short Term...Long period swell of 3-4 ft persists through tonight, but subsides on Sunday. No flags through Sunday night. Long Term... Wed -Thu...SCA's are psb...especially outside the bays. && .GYX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... ME...None. NH...None. MARINE...None. && NEAR TERM...Cempa SHORT TERM...Cempa LONG TERM...Schwibs
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Gray ME 334 PM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 MEZ007>009-012>014-018>028-NHZ001>015-291945- 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- 334 PM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 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...This Afternoon and Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are expected through this evening. Strong gusty winds, hail, and heavy downpours are all possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The heat and humidity will build for the second half of next week into next weekend. Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are likely during that period and could produce locally heavy rainfall. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ANZ150>154-291945- 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- 334 PM EDT Sat Jul 28 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon 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. ES
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
358 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 ESE WALPOLE 43.06N 72.33W
07/28/2018 CHESHIRE NH AMATEUR RADIO
TREES AND WIRES DOWN ON ROUTE 12A.
&&
EVENT NUMBER GYX1803364
SCHROETERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
402 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0355 PM TSTM WND DMG 7 SSW WASHINGTON 43.08N 72.13W
07/28/2018 CHESHIRE NH AMATEUR RADIO
NUMEROUS TREES AND WIRES DOWN ON ROUTE 123.
&&
EVENT NUMBER GYX1803365
SCHROETERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gray ME
405 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
NHZ011-282045-
Cheshire-
405 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN CHESHIRE COUNTY...
At 405 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Hinsdale, or
near Brattleboro, moving east at 20 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and dime size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Keene, Swanzey, Winchester, Richmond, Hinsdale, Chesterfield, Troy,
Westmoreland, Surry and Fitzwilliam.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4288 7255 4290 7253 4291 7253 4300 7231
4278 7219 4276 7248 4277 7249 4276 7251
4278 7251 4281 7254 4284 7255 4285 7256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 250DEG 17KT 4283 7252PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
425 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0355 PM TSTM WND DMG 6 S WASHINGTON 43.09N 72.10W
07/28/2018 CHESHIRE NH SOCIAL MEDIA
MULTIPLE TREES AND WIRES DOWN ON TURTLE ROCK ROAD.
&&
EVENT NUMBER GYX1803366
SCHROETERSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Gray ME 446 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018 MEZ008-009-282130- Northern Franklin-Central Somerset- 446 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL SOMERSET AND CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES... At 445 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Carrabassett Valley, or 12 miles southeast of Eustis, moving northeast at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Kingfield, Carrabassett Valley, Caratunk Plantation, Dead River, Carrying Place, Pleasant Ridge Plantation, Highland Plantation, Wyman, Pierce Pond, The Forks Plantation, Moscow, Bigelow, Mount Abram and Lexington. This also includes... Sugarloaf Mountain, The Bigelows, West Carry Pond, Middle Carry Pond, and East Carry Pond. Cloud to ground lightning is also occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. LAT...LON 4496 7027 4514 7040 4533 6998 4510 6985 TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 240DEG 21KT 4509 7028 ES
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Gray ME 504 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018 NHZ011-015-282145- Western And Central Hillsborough-Cheshire- 504 PM EDT SAT JUL 28 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN CHESHIRE AND WEST CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH COUNTIES... At 504 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Marlborough, or near Keene, moving east at 20 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Keene, Jaffrey, Swanzey, Peterborough, Antrim, Greenfield, Lyndeborough, Dublin, Francestown, Bennington, Harrisville, Nelson, Marlborough, Roxbury, Wilton, Hancock, Sharon, Troy, Temple and Deering. This also includes... Mount Monadnock and North Pack Monadnock. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4281 7225 4298 7229 4309 7187 4282 7177 TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 262DEG 19KT 4291 7218
The Portland,ME radar (KGYX), 151 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:27 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm downed trees and wires on Pleasant Pond Road in Caratunk.
A severe thunderstorm downed large branches and wires in East Lebanon.
A severe thunderstorm downed trees and wires in Oquossoc.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Maine in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Maine, July 2018
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: 775338, 775339, 775340.