A low pressure system with a very strong southerly low level jet moved across southeast Massachusetts on November 13th. Winds gusted to 40 to 60 mph in southeastern Massachusetts.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 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.
A low pressure system with a very strong southerly low level jet moved across southeast Massachusetts on November 13th. Winds gusted to 40 to 60 mph in southeastern Massachusetts. One to 2.3 inches of rain fell across much of the region, but no flooding was reported.
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 Nov 13, 11:54 AM EST, 28 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
1154 AM EST Tue Nov 13 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure along the southern New England coast passes over
Cape Cod this afternoon with rain ending this afternoon.
Blustery and colder conditions return tonight into Wednesday.
High pressure builds overhead Wednesday night and Thursday. Low
pressure approaches the region late Thursday, with a wintry mix
moving across Thursday night into Friday. A weak system may
bring scattered snow showers Sunday night into Monday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
1145 AM Update...
Rain was rapidly ending from the south and west as low pressure
was along the southern New England coast at 16Z. Also, mixing
of the higher low level winds of 50-60kt was limited and have
converted the high wind warning for Nantucket Islands to a wind
advisory, and shortened to 300 PM. Additional flooding was not
yet observed and will let the flood watch expire at 18Z.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Tonight...
Northwest flow trailing the low pressure will bring cold
advection to New England. Temps at 925 mb fall from 0 to 2C in
the evening down to -6C to -8C by Wednesday morning. The
resulting mixing will support northwest gusts of 30-35 kt.
Surface temps upstream show 20s, and even some potential for
high teens. We will go with lows in the 20s for now.
Wednesday...
Upper trough passes overhead while surface high pressure builds
from the west. Mixing reaches to 850 mb. Temps at that level
will be -12C to -14C, supporting max sfc temps in the 30s. Winds
in the mixed layer reach 30 to 35 kts/35 to 40 mph. Expect a
dry cold windy day.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Highlights...
* Dry conditions Wed night with coldest air of the season
* Low pressure late Thu into Fri with rain/snow/sleet possible
* Another weak system may bring snow showers Sun night/Mon
Details...
Wednesday night...
H5 cutoff low pressure across S central MS valley Wed evening
begins to lift NE. General W wind flow in place across the
northern stream as large high pres builds across the northeast
U.S., so expect dry, cold conditions.
As the center of the high crosses the region, winds will
diminish. Core of cold air works SE, with H85 temps down to -8C
to -12C by around 06Z Thu from S-N, with coldest air mainly N of
the Mass Pike. So, with mainly clear skies and light/variable
or calm winds, radiational cooling will be in place especially
across the interior and the normally colder inland valleys.
Expect overnight lows mainly in the teens away from the
immediate coast, and in the 20s along the shoreline. These
readings will run 10-15 degrees below seasonal normals for mid
November. The record lows are in the mid-upper teens, so the
only spots that might challenge their record lows would be
Worcester (record 14 degrees set in 1933) and Bradley (17
degrees set in 1905 and 1933). High clouds may start to increase
across southern areas toward daybreak as some moisture from the
cutoff low may try to feed in on the westerly winds aloft.
Thursday and Friday...
As the high crosses northern New England Thursday, winds shift
around to E-SE during the day. Clouds will push in from S-N
during the day, and will steadily lower and thicken especially
across S coastal areas. With the souther periphery of the high
in place, will be tough to get the leading edge of moisture
working into the region until Thu night. Might see some some
light rain push into the S coast toward sunset. Cold air remains
in place, with temps only reaching the 30s, except the lower
40s along the S coast.
The H5 cutoff low slowly moves E-NE across the mid Atlc states
Thu night but, as the high to the NE slowly moving to the
Maritimes, increasing easterly flow will help feed in moisture
which should allow precip to spread across the region. Big
question will be PTYPEs as the onset of the precip. Have a mixed
bag of precip moving in even along the coast to start, but
should change over to rain with a slow temp rise with the
onshore flow off the milder waters. Timing of the changeover,
and exact amounts of snow/sleet are still up in the air. Temps
inland may fall back to the 20s Thu evening, especially across
the higher inland terrain, but should start to rise after
midnight as E winds increase. Temps should rise above freezing
across most areas during Fri, but again questions whether the
cold air will scour out of the interior valleys and the higher
terrain. Something to monitor closely.
Strong low level jet moving toward S coastal areas, Cape Cod and
the islands after midnight Thu night through Fri. Could see
E-SE wind gusts up to 35-40 kt, highest across the islands
Friday morning, possibly to midday. May need wind headlines for
a time there.
Expect the surface low to cross close to or across Cape Cod or
S coastal Mass around midday Friday, then should exit rather
quickly across the Gulf of Maine. However, precip may linger
through the day, though should start tapering off late Fri
afternoon across western areas.
Friday night through Monday...
Any leftover precip across central and eastern areas should end
Fri evening. Otherwise, a nearly zonal fast flow aloft will
bring quickly improving conditions across the region. Lows Fri
night will run close to seasonal normals, in the upper 20s and
30s, except 35-40 along the coast. Winds shift to W-NW with
gusts up to 25-30 kt across Cape Cod and the islands early, but
should diminish.
Will see somewhat milder temps as compared to the previous few
days on Saturday, but will still run around 5 degrees below
normal. Another short wave approaches from the W, but should be
mainly dry as it moves across the region late Sat or Sat night.
However, this should bring another shot of colder air across
the region by Sunday with highs only in the 30s well inland to
40-45 along the coastal plain.
Another short wave may work E Sun night into Mon as a mid level
trough starts to dig across the Great Lakes. With temps falling
back to the 20s to around 30 Sunday night, may see snow showers
move across with this weak, fast moving system. May see
leftover snow showers early Mon, then conditions should improve,
though it will remain cold.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Wednesday Night/...
Through Today...Moderate confidence.
Mainly IFR CIGS and MVFR-LIFR VSBYS across most areas.
Surface low pressure passes across Cape Cod around midday or
early afternoon. Winds will shift to northwest as the low moves
into the Gulf of Maine.
E-SE Winds genereally becoming northerly, then northeasterly by
mid to late afternoon. Wind speeds along the coast will be
sustained around 20 kt with gusts 30-35 kt. Some higher gusts
will be possible closer to Cape Cod/Vinetard where gusts could
reach 40-50 kt. LLWS with winds 50-60 kt at 2Kft over SE Mass
and Cape/Islands. Further inland, not expecting any wind gusts.
Tonight...High confidence.
Gusty northwest winds with speeds 30-35 kt. VFR with dry
weather.
Wednesday...High confidence.
VFR. Cold with gusty northwest winds. Gusts 35 to 40 knots.
KBOS Terminal...
Rain continues through about 19-20z, then comes to an end. LLWS
south of Boston which may affect traffic approaching from that
direction. Southeast wind turns from Northwest around 1-2 PM.
KBDL Terminal...
Potential LLWS with SSE low level jet 5 am to 7 am. Heaviest
rain through around 11 am.
Outlook /Thursday through Saturday/...
Wednesday Night: VFR. Breezy.
Thursday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible.
Thursday Night: Mainly MVFR, with local IFR possible. Windy
with gusts to 35 kt. PL and/or RA likely, chance SN.
Friday: Mainly MVFR, with local IFR possible. Windy with gusts
to 35 kt. RA likely, FZRA likely.
Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Windy with
local gusts to 30 kt.
Saturday: VFR. Breezy.
&&
.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Short Term /through Wednesday Night/...High confidence.
Today...
SE gales, occasional gusts to near 50 kt possible until 1 PM
across parts of Nantucket Sound and waters south and east of
Nantucket. Reduced vsbys in areas of rain, locally heavy, and
fog through midday. Seas building to 8 to 11 feet on the exposed
waters.
Low pressure was along the southern New England coast at 16Z,
and will continue to track to the northeast through this
afternoon. Southeast winds shift to the northwest during this
afternoon after the low moves past. Rain ends with the wind
shift.
Tonight...
West winds at gale strength or just below for part of the night.
Improving visibility. Seas remain at 8 to 11 feet on the exposed
waters.
Wednesday...
Northwest gales on the eastern and southeastern waters. Winds
just below gale on the southern waters. Seas 8 to 11 feet on
exposed waters, slowly diminishing late.
Outlook /Thursday through Saturday/...
Wednesday Night: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 30 kt. Areas of rough seas.
Thursday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft.
Chance of rain.
Thursday Night: Low risk for gale force winds with gusts up to
40 kt. Areas of rough seas. Rain.
Friday: Low risk for gale force winds with gusts up to 40 kt.
Rough seas up to 14 ft. Chance of rain.
Friday Night: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 30 kt. Rough seas up to 14 ft. Slight chance of
rain showers.
Saturday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up
to 25 kt. Local rough seas.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...Flood Watch until 1 PM EST this afternoon for MAZ020-021.
Wind Advisory until 3 PM EST this afternoon for MAZ022>024.
RI...Flood Watch until 1 PM EST this afternoon for RIZ003>007.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 6 AM EST Wednesday for ANZ231>235-237-250-
251-254>256.
Gale Warning from 1 AM to 6 AM EST Wednesday for ANZ230.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EST Wednesday for ANZ236.
&&Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA Issued by National Weather Service New York NY 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 CTZ002>004-MAZ002>006-008>014-017-018-026-RIZ001>005-141115- 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-Bristol RI- 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, central Massachusetts, eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts, southeastern Massachusetts, western Massachusetts and northern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Wind advisories may be needed for portions of the region on Wednesday for strong westerly wind gusts. Another storm may impact the region late Thursday into Friday with rain, snow and ice. Some snow and ice accumulation is possible in the interior. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ANZ231>235-237-250-251-254>256-141115- Cape Cod Bay-Nantucket Sound-Vineyard Sound-Buzzards Bay- Rhode Island Sound-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- 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters and Rhode Island coastal waters. .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. Gale Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. West to northwest gales are possible Wednesday. East gales are possible Thursday night and Friday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ANZ236-141115- Narragansett Bay- 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Rhode Island coastal waters. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. ANZ230-141115- Boston Harbor- 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM EST WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters. .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. Gale Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. West to northwest gales are possible Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MAZ007-015-016-019>021-RIZ006>008-141115- Eastern Essex MA-Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Eastern Plymouth MA- Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Washington RI-Newport RI- Block Island RI- 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts, southeastern Massachusetts and southern Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Wind advisories may be needed for portions of the region on Wednesday for strong westerly wind gusts. Another storm may impact the region late Thursday into Friday with rain, snow and ice. Some snow and ice accumulation is possible in the interior. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MAZ022>024-141115- Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-Nantucket MA- 1220 PM EST Tue Nov 13 2018 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts. .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. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Another storm may impact the region late Thursday into Friday with rain and wind. .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.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
In Edgartown at 1222 PM, an amateur radio operator recorded a wind gust to 62 mph.|Also in Edgartown, 126 PM, a tree was down on wires on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.
At Woods Hole in Falmouth, at 1213 PM, an amateur radio operator recorded a wind gust of 56 mph. In Yarmouth, at 1240 PM, a tree was down on Union Street. In Chatham, at 105 PM, a large branch was down on Orleans Road and wires were down on Hammond Hill Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Massachusetts in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, November 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: 792502, 792504.