What forecasters said that day
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 Oct 23, 2:30 PM EST, 33 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Oct 23, 2:30 PM EST, 33 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
330 PM EDT Tue Oct 23 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure moving through New England will bring showers today,
especially to northern Massachusetts, before it heads offshore
tonight. Another surge of unseasonably chilly air moves into the
region Thursday and Friday. A significant coastal storm may impact
the region this weekend with heavy rainfall and strong coastal
winds, with some wet snow or mixed precipitation possible in the
interior.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/...
2 pm update...
Scattered showers with embedded heavier downpours erupting over
S/SE areas of CT and RI. Latest RAP mesoanalysis illustrating
steep low level lapse rates and elevated instability. Undergoing
forcing in association with lead shortwave energy to parent closed
low-mid level low, beneath the left front quadrant of the upper
level jet, deep moist plume being captured as illustrated per
precipitable waters in RAP mesoanalysis is easily lofted.
As alluded to earlier, convective indices exceeding thresholds,
especially with respect to total totals. Couple hundred J/kg CAPE.
Plenty of SW uni-directional shear with both the 0-6 km mean wind
and bulk shear SW parallel. Anywhere surface SE wind, can't rule
out some 0-1 km turning / helicity which requires watching. Also
can't rule out graupel given low freezing levels and ascent of
an unstable column per RAP model soundings through said freezing
layer.
Isolated thunder prevailing with heavy rain / gusty wind wording.
Mainly focused E of aforementioned low and potent shortwave in
regions of better instability and low level forcing.
Outcomes entirely possible along and N of the attendant warm front
beginning to show up around the N MA border parent to the surface
low to the sweeping vortmax sweeps through. Elevated convection
possible above the shallow surface inversion with the focus over
NE MA.
First batch of rain ongoing, should be through by the end of the
PM commute, possibly a second sweeping batch of showers into eve
along the sweeping cold front as the surface low ejects out over
the Gulf of ME.
Continued consensus of high-res model guidance with latest near-
term forecast.
Tonight...
Showers lifting out however lingering mainly over N/NE MA. The
surface low traversing through the region. Continued ascent
upon an inflow moist-axis. The warm front lifting N as the cold
front sweeps through, mechanisms that'll keep the shower
activity going but advect it more towards the N/NE. Winds
backing out of the NW becoming blustery beneath the continued
rotating vortmax and mid-level closed low / trof axis. Will see
the low deepen as it becomes more vertically stacked, the
cyclonic trowaling axis beginning to emerge out of the E,
pushing W into interior N New England. Lows mainly subsequent of
cold air advection, lean with consensus of forecast guidance
around the upper 30s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Wednesday...
Lingering showers over N/NE Massachusetts, especially the high
terrain, otherwise a chilly, raw day. Trowal axis and cyclonic
rearward ascent behind the closed mid-level low. Deformation
back across N New England, roughly SW-NE, associated lift with
the trowaling moist-axis. Otherwise blustery NW winds with cold
air advection allowing for steep lapse rates, mix-down of fast
winds to the surface. Gusts up around 35 mph will be possible.
Broken ceilings, prefer to actually lean towards the cooler side
of guidance with most areas seeing highs in the 40s, can't rule
out upper 30s for the high terrain if precipitation maintains a
long duration, subsequent lower column cooling.
Wednesday night...
Higher confidence of clearing out, winds diminishing. Consensus
of model forecast guidance has the mid-upper level disturbance
exiting resulting in prevailing subsidence. Drier air working in
rearward, cold air advection still continuing and lapse rates
remaining steep. However pressure gradient relaxing, winds should
diminish. Perhaps some lingering clouds and sprinkles along the
high terrain. With the winds still on the breezy side, will stray
from coldest forecast guidance. Still lean with lows well into
the 30s, high terrain in the 20s.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Highlights...
* Dry weather with below normal temps Thu/Fri
* Rain and coastal wind Sat with some mixed precip possible interior
* Unsettled with showers at times Sun/Mon
Thursday into Friday...
Blustery and colder weather continues as deep mid level trough
east of New England slowly moves north. Diminishing wind by Fri
as high pressure builds over New England. Dry weather through
this period with below normal temperatures.
Saturday through Tuesday...
Still watching the possibility for a potent storm to bring a
decent amount of rainfall to southern New England. Still have
several days to work out the details. Depending upon the track
and timing, there sis still the possibility for some wet snow
and/or sleet. This would be mainly across the higher terrain of
interior southern New England. Strongest winds still appear to
be Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening.
Astronomical tides are a bit elevated this weekend. So, some
minor coastal flood issues would be possible.
Lots of spread with respect to low position Sunday into early
next week. Unsettled weather remains possible with multiple
shortwaves moving through our region.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z 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/...High confidence.
Rest of today...
RA becoming widespread, lifting NE. Embedded +RA, possible TSRA.
Can't rule out associated gusty SW winds, upwards around 30 kt.
Low-end VFR / MVFR, lower with RA. S winds mainly along and S of
PSF-BOS, N winds otherwise. Higher confidence RA mainly N/E of
PSF-IJD-BID and associated lower conditions.
Tonight...
Winds reverting NW, becoming blustery. Associated -RA chances
that lingering mainly N of PSF-GHG. With RA, low-end VFR / MVFR
lingers. Gusts with NW winds up around 20 kts, highest over the
high terrain.
Wednesday...
Continued blustery NW winds, increasing gusts through the day up
as high as around 30 to 35 kts. RA continued to linger N/NE of
PSF-GHG, mainly over NE MA and points N/E. BKN CIGs mostly,
low-end VFR / MVFR, especially lower for high terrain.
Wednesday night...
Blustery NW winds diminishing as do CIGs. SCT low-end VFR / MVFR
more likely for high terrain with the possibility of a sprinkle.
KBOS Terminal...
Most RA activity around 18-20z, watching closely for +RA and SW
wind gust threat along with the possibility of graupel / small
hail. TEMPO for lower conditions. Monitoring for VCTS in the
first 6-hours. Lower conditions and showery weather likely to
linger all the way through much of Wednesday.
KBDL Terminal...
Mainly VCSH with SW winds today, low-end VFR CIGs with some MVFR
CIGs. Bigger story starting tonight going into Wednesday will be
the blustery NW winds, up around 30 kts possible during Wednesday.
Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/...
Thursday through Friday: VFR. Breezy.
Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Windy with
local gusts to 30 kt. Chance FZRA, slight chance RA.
Saturday: Mainly MVFR, with local VFR possible. Strong winds
with local gusts to 40 kt. Chance RA, FZRA likely.
Saturday Night: MVFR. Windy with gusts to 35 kt. Chance RA.
Sunday: Windy with gusts to 35 kt. Chance RA, slight chance
SHRA.
&&
.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.
Increasing S/SE winds today and building seas as warm front lifts
into CT, RI, and SE MA. Small Craft Advisories posted for all but
Boston Harbor and Narragansett Bay into tonight, before winds and
seas subside briefly. Low pressure heads to Gulf of Maine tonight,
followed by high pressure Wednesday. Winds shift to W/NW tonight and
increase on Wednesday, with 25-30kt gusts expected on all
waters.
Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/...
Thursday through Thursday Night: Low risk for Small Craft
Advisory winds with gusts up to 25 kt. Local rough seas.
Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft.
Friday Night: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 30 kt. Chance of rain.
Saturday: Moderate risk for gale force winds with gusts up to
40 kt. Areas of rough seas. Rain likely.
Saturday Night: Moderate risk for gale force winds with gusts
up to 40 kt. Rough seas up to 17 ft. Chance of rain.
Sunday: Low risk for gale force winds with gusts up to 35 kt.
Rough seas up to 17 ft. Chance of rain, chance of rain showers.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM Wednesday to 8 AM EDT Thursday
for ANZ230-232>234.
Small Craft Advisory from 8 AM Wednesday to 8 AM EDT Thursday
for ANZ231-251.
Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM Wednesday to 5 AM EDT Thursday
for ANZ236.
Small Craft Advisory from 2 AM Wednesday to 8 AM EDT Thursday
for ANZ235-237-250-254.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ255-256.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Belk/Sipprell
NEAR TERM...Sipprell
SHORT TERM...Sipprell
LONG TERM...Belk
AVIATION...Belk/Sipprell
MARINE...Belk/SipprellHazardous weather outlook, Oct 23, 2:42 AM EST, 12 hours 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
342 AM EDT Tue Oct 23 2018
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-RIZ001>008-240745-
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-
Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-
Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-
Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA-
Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-Southern Bristol MA-
Southern Plymouth MA-Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-Nantucket MA-
Northern Middlesex MA-Northwest Providence RI-
Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-
Washington RI-Newport RI-Block Island RI-
342 AM EDT Tue Oct 23 2018
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, all of
Massachusetts east of Berkshire County, and Rhode Island.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.
A significant coastal storm may bring strong winds along the coast on
Saturday, with some mixed precipitation possible in the interior. In
addition, there is a low risk of splashover this weekend along the
east coast of Massachusetts.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-240745-
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-
342 AM EDT Tue Oct 23 2018
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts and Rhode
Island coastal waters.
.DAY ONE...Today 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.
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
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Oct 23, 2:18 PM EST, 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
318 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
MAZ022-231945-
Barnstable MA-
318 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM...
At 318 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Provincetown, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will accompany this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Provincetown and Truro.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Get indoors when this storm approaches. Winds may be strong enough to
produce minor damage, such as a few downed branches.
Frequent lightning was occurring. Lightning can strike far away from
the storm. Go inside a building or vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes
until after the storm has passed to resume outdoor activities.
&&
LAT...LON 4203 7013 4204 7015 4203 7018 4202 7017
4202 7021 4206 7026 4209 7024 4210 7019
4206 7007
TIME...MOT...LOC 1918Z 220DEG 28KT 4199 7029
BWSpecial weather statement, Oct 23, 2:20 PM EST, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
320 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
CTZ002-003-MAZ004-010-011-231945-
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Eastern Hampden MA-Northern Worcester MA-
Eastern Hampshire MA-
320 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING ACROSS THE CONNECTICUT RIVER
VALLEY...
At 320 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Springfield, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will accompany this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Springfield, Chicopee, Enfield, Amherst, Agawam, West Springfield,
Ludlow, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Palmer,
Somers, Ware, Monson, Granby, Hampden, Warren and Brimfield.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent lightning was occurring. Lightning can strike far away from
the storm. Go inside a building or vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes
until after the storm has passed to resume outdoor activities.
These storms may intensify and become capable of producing damage.
Stay tuned for updated statements and possible warnings.
&&
LAT...LON 4201 7254 4207 7263 4235 7247 4218 7214
TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 220DEG 19KT 4211 7252
SIPPRELL
Special weather statement, Oct 23, 2:23 PM EST, 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
323 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
MAZ002>004-008-010-011-232015-
Western Franklin MA-Western Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-
Northern Worcester MA-Eastern Franklin MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-
323 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
...LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS SWEEPING OVER THE CONNECTICUT
RIVER VALLEY...
At 323 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Bernardston to Deerfield to Hatfield to South
Hadley. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will accompany these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Chicopee, Holyoke, Amherst, Northampton, West Springfield,
Greenfield, Orange, Deerfield, Ludlow, South Hadley, Easthampton,
Belchertown, Ware, Montague, Granby, Hadley, Sunderland, Hatfield,
Northfield and Hardwick.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent lightning was occurring. Lightning can strike far away from
the storm. Go inside a building or vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes
until after the storm has passed to resume outdoor activities.
These storms may intensify and become capable of producing damage.
Stay tuned for updated statements and possible warnings.
&&
LAT...LON 4272 7233 4260 7232 4231 7226 4214 7264
4236 7269 4247 7269 4270 7262 4273 7258
TIME...MOT...LOC 1923Z 228DEG 19KT 4268 7257 4253 7263 4241 7262 4227
7259
SIPPRELLSpecial weather statement, Oct 23, 2:28 PM EST, 35 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
328 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
MAZ012-013-017-RIZ001-002-232000-
Southern Worcester MA-Northern Bristol MA-Western Norfolk MA-
Northwest Providence RI-Southeast Providence RI-
328 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND...
At 328 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
North Providence, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will accompany this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Providence, Pawtucket, Taunton, East Providence, Woonsocket,
Cumberland, North Providence, Franklin, Johnston, North Attleborough,
Attleboro, Mansfield, Smithfield, Lincoln, Central Falls, Norton,
Bellingham, Seekonk, North Smithfield and Rehoboth.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent lightning was occurring. Lightning can strike far away from
the storm. Go inside a building or vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes
until after the storm has passed to resume outdoor activities.
These storms may intensify and become capable of producing damage.
Stay tuned for updated statements and possible warnings.
&&
LAT...LON 4181 7154 4193 7160 4211 7146 4188 7109
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 235DEG 20KT 4188 7149
SIPPRELL
Special weather statement, Oct 23, 2:53 PM EST, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
353 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
MAZ004-010>012-232045-
Southern Worcester MA-Eastern Hampden MA-Northern Worcester MA-
Eastern Hampshire MA-
353 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS SWEEPING OVER CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...
At 352 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Palmer, or 10 miles east of Springfield, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will accompany this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Ludlow, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Charlton, Palmer, Spencer, Ware,
Sturbridge, Monson, Barre, Warren, North Brookfield, West Brookfield,
Brimfield, Brookfield, Hardwick, East Brookfield, Oakham and New
Braintree.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent lightning was occurring. Lightning can strike far away from
the storm. Go inside a building or vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes
until after the storm has passed to resume outdoor activities.
These storms may intensify and become capable of producing damage.
Stay tuned for updated statements and possible warnings.
&&
LAT...LON 4213 7238 4220 7241 4241 7211 4218 7193
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 239DEG 14KT 4217 7234
SIPPRELL
Special weather statement, Oct 23, 2:57 PM EST, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
357 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
MAZ003-004-010-011-232030-
Eastern Hampden MA-Northern Worcester MA-Eastern Franklin MA-
Eastern Hampshire MA-
357 PM EDT TUE OCT 23 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING...
At 357 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Pelham, or 7 miles east of Amherst, moving east at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will accompany this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Amherst, Ludlow, Belchertown, Ware, Granby, Barre, Hubbardston,
Hardwick, Pelham, Petersham and New Salem.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Get indoors when this storm approaches. Winds may be strong enough to
produce minor damage, such as a few downed branches.
&&
LAT...LON 4222 7247 4240 7250 4248 7205 4241 7211
4222 7238
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 256DEG 18KT 4234 7236
Belk