Flooding and High Wind in Massachusetts, December 25, 2020

Name: Flooding and High Wind in Massachusetts, December 25, 2020
Start: 2020-12-25T01:05
End: 2020-12-25T16:00
Location: Massachusetts

December 25, 2020 · NWS BOX · 20 events in 19 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 15 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $22,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 20

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.

An anomalously deep, full-latitude mid-level trough over the Mississippi Valley caused a strong frontal system to move up the Appalachians. It brought strong to damaging winds, heavy rain with minor flooding, and well above normal temperatures to southern New England early on Christmas Day. Winds generally gusted to 40 to 60 mph, except 65 to 70 mph along the southeast Massachusetts coast. South winds were blowing more than 100 mph only 2000 feet above the ground in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but despite temperatures in the lower 60s there, a surface inversion was strong enough to prevent these very damaging winds from reaching the surface. Two to four inches of rain fell across the region, with the highest totals from central Rhode Island northwestward across northern Connecticut and portions of western and central Massachusetts.

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 Dec 24, 9:35 PM EST, 3 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 24, 9:35 PM EST, 3 hours 30 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
935 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
A strong frontal system will move up the Appalachians and will
bring strong to damaging winds, heavy rain, minor flooding, and
well above normal temperatures tonight into Christmas Day. Dry
with cold to near seasonable temperatures this weekend. Next
shot of rain and maybe some snow mixed in is late on Monday.
Drier and more seasonable weather for mid week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...

Broad area of rain with areas of downpours extends from the
Carolinas through eastern New York. Southerly winds moving
onshore into Srn New England have brought light
showers/sprinkles but mostly just mild air. Expect this to
continue through approximately 06Z/1 AM. The south wind brings
warm advection, so temps will slowly rise through the 50s during
the overnight.

After 1 AM...

Anomalously deep, full-latitude midlevel trough is moving east
from the Mississippi Valley. Powerful frontal system in
association with this trough will be moving eastward into and
through Southern New England starting late tonight into the
first part of Christmas Day.

Forecast and active headlines continue as before. This system
is expected to bring a multitude of weather-related hazards:
strong to damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall which could
trigger flooding, minor coastal flooding, and possible embedded
thunderstorms. Each of these hazards will be discussed below.

Strong/Damaging Wind Gusts:

An impressive low-level jet core traverses eastern and southern
sections of Southern New England overnight into Christmas
morning. In fact the 12z NAM's 950 mb jet approaches 80 kt
between 09-15z! Ensemble 850 mb winds remain near the top end of
the climatological percentile, and each of these points remain
indicative of a potential high-end wind episode.

The extent of mixing is a question, with NAM-based profiles being
slightly cooler/less unstable than the GFS. However given the non-
diurnal temperature and dewpoint trends (e.g. both expected to rise
overnight into early Christmas, with 60 degree temperatures and mid
50s dewpoints), low-level stability profiles should support a period
of peak wind gusts of up to 65 mph in the High Wind Warning area,
with localized 70 mph gusts possible. 45-55 mph gusts further in the
interior where the Wind Advisory is in effect more removed from the
strongest low-level jet.

Winds will continue to ramp up tonight, but the period of strongest
southerly wind gusts is overnight to late-AM on Christmas Day.
Heavier showers may enhance the gusts, with some indication of a
"fine line" of enhanced showers or even a few rumbles of thunder
that could tap into the stronger jet a bit better.

It is worth mentioning that the gusts described above won't last the
entire timeframe. Rather, the gust trends should resemble something
of a bell curve: ramping up to a brief period of maximum gusts, then
subsiding. Thus the potential exists for numerous trees and
powerlines to be downed, particularly in the High Wind Warning area.

Heavy Rain/Flooding Potential:

A Flood Watch remains in effect, due to the potential for rainfall
combined with snowmelt that may yield areal/low-lying flooding and
rises on main-stem and smaller creeks/streams.

The fairly slow-moving nature of the front combined with highly
anomalous PWAT/IVT values for late-December support forecast QPF
values in the 2 to 3 inch range, heaviest across western MA/western
CT. Rain will continue to spread slowly eastward tonight, with the
heaviest rains falling between overnight tonight into Christmas Day.
Any convective elements could enhance rain rates.

Urban and low-lying areal flooding will be a concern tonight into
Christmas Day, especially where there any leftover snow may clog
storm drains. Rivers will also experience rises. Per latest NERFC
river forecast guidance, most rivers experience within-bank rises
into the weekend, but several gaged points on the Connecticut River
are forecast to reach Minor flood stage category as these will get
added water input from further upriver in Vermont/New Hampshire.

Convection/Thunder:

As dewpoints rise into the mid 50s overnight, some fairly shallow
instability is generated (a couple hundred J/kg MUCAPE, per 12z
HREF). As mentioned, simulated reflectivity progs show good
agreement in indicating a convective fine line moving through
Southern New England between 09z-16z. So we could see a few rumbles
of thunder on Christmas morning as this fine line advances eastward,
which could transport stronger gusts to the surface. Given the
strong flow leading to extreme deep-layer wind shear, will need to
keep watch of radar.

Coastal Flooding:

Have hoisted a Coastal Flood Advisory for the South Coast of RI/MA
around tonight's high tide.

High tide is expected around 4 AM. Latest surge guidance
indicates a 3 ft storm surge is expected on the South Coast
associated with the anomalous jet core. While the strongest
winds still look to occur after high tide, if winds ramp up
sooner then the potential for minor coastal flooding on the
South Coast could be realized (following latest guidance from
Stevens Institute). Anticipating minor coastal flooding of
nearshore roads along with minor beach erosion.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Highlights...

* Precipitation tapering off, but remains a bit breezy
  overnight. Much colder air moves in.

A negatively tilted trough will be situated over the eastern
Great Lakes extending into the Carolinas Friday evening. The
trough lifts into New England by early on Saturday. The cold
front associated with the low exiting will slide offshore, which
will bring and end to the precipitation. There may be some
lingering light snow showers across the interior.

No major changes from the previous forecast. Precipitation comes
to an end as the cold front slides offshore. A dry slot will
punch in behind the front and clear skies out. Could have some
lingering light snow showers across the higher elevation of the
interior as the base of the trough swings in.

Much colder air advects behind the front. Will see 0 to -10
degree Celsius 925 hPa advect in as flow shifts from the S to
the SW/WSW. Lowered temperatures to the 25th percentile of
guidance as it may take a bit for the mid and high clouds to
clear and there still will be a fair amount of mechanical
mixing. Lows range from the upper teens across the eastern
slopes of the Berkshires to the low 30s across eastern MA.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Highlights...

 * Drier and cold through the weekend.

 * Roller coaster temperature wise next week with moderating
   temperatures Monday and late in the week. Seasonable for mid
   week.

 * Next shot of precipitation is late on Monday into Monday
   night. Should be mainly rain, but some snow could mix in as
   precipitation winds down.

 * High pressure builds in for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Saturday and Sunday...

Trough axis over New England early on Saturday lifts into
northern New England/Nova Scotia by Saturday evening. As the
trough lifts out and exits a ridge builds in from the
Mississippi River Valley into the central Great Lakes/Ohio
Valley by Sunday morning. The ridge builds over New England by
Sunday evening. High pressure will nudge into the region from
the Southeastern US. The surface high eventually builds just
south of southern New England later on Sunday and east of the
region Sunday night.

Dry and quiet weather with high pressure in control. Winds shift
to a westerly direction at 925 hPa on Saturday and are W/WSW for
most of Sunday. This will allow for some downsloping, but it
still will be cool with a -5 to -10 degree Celsius airmass in
place over the region into Sunday morning. Flow becomes more
WSW/SW on Sunday bringing in warmer 0 to -5 degree Celsius air.
So, temperatures will be a bit milder on Sunday - which will end
up being roughly seasonable for this time of year. Went with the
75th percentile for highs on Sat/Sun. The result is readings
generally in the 30s. May see a few coastal areas get into the
40s on Sunday.

Monday...

The ridge axis builds into eastern Canada. Behind the ridge
will see a weak shortwave swing in on Monday and a slightly
more potent trough dig in late on Monday and lift through by
early on Tuesday. A surface low will lift from the central Great
Lakes into Quebec. Expect the warm front to slide through early
on Monday and moderate temperatures, but the trailing cold front
moves through later on Monday into Monday night bringing the
chance of mainly rain. Though given the colder air rushing in
behind the front cannot rule out some light snow mixing in as
things wind down.

Good agreement amongst guidance at this point in time. Just some
temporal differences with the cold front sliding through. As of
right now best chance for any light precip is during the
afternoon and into the evening. Colder air advects in wake of
the front during the evening and into Tuesday.

As the warm front lifts in will see south-southwesterly winds
moderate temperatures with 0 to +5 degree Celsius 925 hPa air
advecting in. Highs will generally be in the 40s with some 50
degree readings along the south coast.

Tuesday and Wednesday...

Ridge axis builds in from the Midwest through this timeframe.
Expect dry and quiet weather with seasonable temperatures. May
get quite chilly Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning due
to strong radiational cooling.

Good agreement amongst guidance through this window.
Northwesterly cold air advection early on Tuesday through
Tuesday night. Winds shift more to the W/SW on Wednesday
bringing slightly milder air. Highs in the 30s for both days.
Coldest night of the extended is Tuesday night into early
Wednesday as high pressure builds in. Lows in the teens across
the interior and 20s along the coastal plain.

&&

.AVIATION /03Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

Overnight...High confidence in trends, moderate in timing.

Conditions deteriorating from VFR to MVFR/IFR as the night
progresses with localized LIFR. Will see conditions lowering
as rain spreads in. Winds out of the SE at 15-25 kts, strong
gusts to 40-50 kt developing 06-12z. Higher gusts possible
across RI and eastern MA, especially in association with a band
of heavy rain/possible thunder 09-12z. Low level jet strengthens
aloft, so have kept low level wind shear at all terminals with
a 55 to 70 kt jet moving in overnight.

Christmas Day...Moderate confidence.

IFR ceilings and visibilities into the morning hrs. Fine line of
heavy rain/possible thunder to move across the rest of the TAFs
roughly from 11-12Z through 16-17Z. As this line moves through
there is the potent for strong to locally damaging SE/S gusts of
50-60 kt thru the morning. Not out of the question of localized
higher gusts, but have not included in the latest TAF at this
time. Utilized the latest HREF/HRRR guidance in timing the line
moving through.

Gradual improvement after 16-18Z with IFR to MVFR ceilings and rain
showers tapering off from west to east. Gusty winds diminishing
to the 25-30 kt range from west to east. May not be until late
across Cape Cod and the Islands.

Friday night...High confidence.

Any leftover MVFR ceilings improving to VFR as drier air moves
in. Any lingering precipitation over the Cape and Islands comes
to an end. Could see some light snow showers across the interior
during the evening, but this activity should erode after
midnight as drier air moves in. Winds shift from the S to the
SSW/SW around 10-15 kts. Could have some 15-25 kts gusts with
the highest speeds over the Cape and Islands.

KBOS TAF...Moderate confidence in the TAF. Risk of strong to
damaging winds Christmas morning. Cannot rule out an embedded
thunderstorm.

KBDL TAF...Moderate confidence in the TAF. Risk of strong to
damaging winds around 12Z. Cannot rule out an embedded
thunderstorm.

Outlook /Saturday through Tuesday/...

Saturday: VFR. Windy with local gusts up to 30 kt.

Saturday Night: VFR. Breezy.

Sunday: VFR.

Sunday Night: VFR. Breezy.

Monday: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Breezy. Slight
chance SHRA.

Monday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Breezy.
Slight chance SHRA, slight chance SHSN.

Tuesday: VFR. Windy with areas of gusts up to 30 kt.

&&

.MARINE...
Storm Warnings are in effect for all waters.

Conditions will deteriorate tonight as SE/S winds increase with
building rough seas. Winds are expected to increase/ramp up to
storm-force levels on most waters overnight to 55 kt. Bands of
rain should begin late tonight/overnight, becoming steadier and
heavier toward early Christmas morning. Seas to build to 10-16
ft in the waters south of RI, and around 8-12 ft for eastern MA.

Strong wind gusts will continue, within and ahead of a band of heavy
rain, possible thunder which moves across the waters late Christmas
morning into mid-afternoon. Seas 10-16 ft on the eastern waters, but
around 15-20 ft on the southern waters.

Winds and gusts then start a decline into the late-afternoon and
evening. Should start to see more SCA-level gusts tonight, with seas
decreasing to around 8-12 ft.

Outlook /Saturday through Tuesday/...

Saturday: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 30 kt. Rough seas up to 13 ft.

Saturday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Rough seas up to 11 ft.

Sunday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft.

Sunday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching
5 ft.

Monday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up
to 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft. Slight chance of rain showers.

Monday Night: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 25 kt. Areas of rough seas. Slight chance of rain
showers.

Tuesday: Strong winds with gusts up to 30 kt. Rough seas up to
10 ft.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Christmas Eve...

Boston Record High Minimum
1). 49F 2015
2). 44F 2014
3). 43F 1888
4). 42F 1964
5). 41F 1965

============================

Providence Record High Minimum
1). 50F 2015
2). 46F 1979
3). 44F 1965/1964
5). 42F 1987

============================

Worcester Record High Minimum
1). 47F 2015/1964
3). 43F 1979
4). 41F 1982
5). 38F 2014/1895

============================

Hartford Record High Minimum
1). 43F 2014
2). 42F 2015/1987
4). 41F 1979
5). 38F 1965/1964

Christmas Day...

Boston Record Highs
1). 65F 1889
2). 62F 2015
3). 60F 1964/1888
5). 59F 2014/1982/1915

Boston Record Precip.
1). 0.89" 1889
2). 0.82" 1886
3). 0.80" 1986
4). 0.79" 2002
5). 0.55" 1966

============================

Providence Record Highs
1). 64F 2015
2). 63F 2014/1964
4). 62F 1940
5). 60F 1965

Providence Record Precip.
1). 1.68" 1978
2). 1.19" 1986
3). 0.74" 2002
4). 0.63" 1974
5). 0.60" 1945

============================

Worcester Record Highs
1). 60F 2015/1964
3). 59F 2014/1940
5). 57F 1982

Worcester Record Precip.
1). 1.15" 1986
2). 1.05" 1965
3). 0.73" 1979
4). 0.58" 1979
5). 0.53" 1997

============================

Hartford Record Highs
1). 64F 1964
2). 60F 2015
3). 58F 1994
4). 56F 2014/1940/1915

Hartford Record Precip.
1). 1.39" 1979
2). 1.10" 1978
3). 1.08" 1986
4). 0.80" 1945
5). 0.79" 2005

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Flood Watch from 1 AM EST Friday through Friday afternoon for
     CTZ002>004.
     High Wind Warning until noon EST Friday for CTZ002>004.
MA...High Wind Warning until 4 PM EST Friday for MAZ007-013>024.
     Flood Watch from 4 AM EST Friday through Friday afternoon for
     MAZ006-007-013>024.
     Flood Watch from 1 AM EST Friday through Friday afternoon for
     MAZ002>005-008>012-026.
     Wind Advisory until noon EST Friday for MAZ002>004-008>011-026.
     High Wind Warning until noon EST Friday for MAZ005-006-012.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 9 AM EST Friday for MAZ020-021.
RI...High Wind Warning until 4 PM EST Friday for RIZ001>008.
     Flood Watch from 4 AM EST Friday through Friday afternoon for
     RIZ001>008.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 9 AM EST Friday for RIZ002-
     004>007.
MARINE...Storm Warning until 4 PM EST Friday for ANZ231>234-250-251-254-
     255.
     Storm Warning until 1 PM EST Friday for ANZ230-235>237-256.

&&

SYNOPSIS...BL/Loconto
NEAR TERM...WTB/Loconto
SHORT TERM...BL
LONG TERM...BL
AVIATION...WTB/BL
MARINE...WTB/BL/Loconto
CLIMATE...

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 24, 4:22 PM EST, 8 hours 43 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

MAZ002>004-008>011-026-252130-
Western Franklin MA-Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-
Western Hampshire MA-Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-
Eastern Hampden MA-Northern Middlesex MA-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EST
FRIDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Massachusetts,
eastern Massachusetts and western Massachusetts.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.
   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.
   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

CTZ002>004-MAZ005-012-252130-
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Central Middlesex MA-
Southern Worcester MA-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EST
FRIDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, central
Massachusetts and eastern Massachusetts.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MAZ006-252130-
Western Essex MA-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EST
FRIDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeastern Massachusetts.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MAZ007-013>019-022>024-RIZ001-003-008-252130-
Eastern Essex MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-
Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA-
Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-
Nantucket MA-Northwest Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Block Island RI-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 4 PM EST
FRIDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern Massachusetts,
northeastern Massachusetts, southeastern Massachusetts, northern
Rhode Island and southern Rhode Island.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MAZ020-021-RIZ002-004>007-252130-
Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Southeast Providence RI-
Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI-Washington RI-Newport RI-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM
EST FRIDAY...
...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 4 PM EST
FRIDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeastern Massachusetts,
northern Rhode Island and southern Rhode Island.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Coastal Flood Advisory.
   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Coastal Flood Advisory.
   High Wind Warning.
   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

ANZ230-235>237-256-252130-
Boston Harbor-Rhode Island Sound-Narragansett Bay-Block Island Sound-
Coastal Waters from Montauk NY to Marthas Vineyard extending out to
20 nm South of Block Island-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 1 PM EST
FRIDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters
and Rhode Island coastal waters.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

ANZ231>234-250-251-254-255-252130-
Cape Cod Bay-Nantucket Sound-Vineyard Sound-Buzzards Bay-
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-
422 PM EST Thu Dec 24 2020

...STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 4 PM EST
FRIDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts coastal waters.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

For more information on upcoming hazardous weather, please see the
Area Forecast Discussion on our webpage for the latest forecast
thinking. There is also our Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook at
www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

For the latest updates...please visit our webpage at
www.weather.gov/boston

You can follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/us.nationalweatherservice.boston.gov

You can follow us on Twitter at
@NWSBoston

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 strong wind, 5 high wind, 5 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Eastern Plymouth

When: December 25, 1:05 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Plymouth forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.079, -70.960 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 55 to 65 mph. In Duxbury at 7 AM EST, a mesonet station in Duxbury recorded a wind gust to 65 mph and then at 1020 AM EST it reached 68 mph. In Hull at 617 AM EST, a mesonet site recorded a gust to 63 mph. Earlier, in Plymouth at 105 AM EST, a tree was down on Black Cat Road. In Hingham at 849 AM EST, a tree was down on Sherwood Road. In Cohasset at 9 AM EST, a tree was down on Route 3A. In Marshfield at 910 AM EST, a 4-foot diameter tree was down on Corn Hill Road. In Plymouth at 910 AM EST a large tree was down on wires on Ship Pond Road.

High Wind, Southern Bristol

When: December 25, 3:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Bristol forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 50 to 60 mph in southern Bristol County. At 929 AM EST, an amateur radio station in Fairhaven recorded a gust to 58 mph. At 732 AM EST, a mesonet site in Fairhaven recorded a sustained wind of 40 mph and at 930 AM EST, it measured a sustained wind of 42 mph. Much earlier, in Somerset at 323 AM EST, a tree was down on County Street (Route 138) in front of Massachusetts Avenue. In Freetown at 743 AM EST, a tree was down on Route 79.

Strong Wind, Southern Worcester

When: December 25, 3:33 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Worcester forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to around 50 mph. In Dudley at 333 AM EST, a large tree branch was down on Dresser Hill Road. In Upton at 530 AM EST, a tree was down on Glenview Street. In Southbridge at 604 AM EST, a tree was down on Main Street. In Northborough at 737 AM EST, a tree was down on Franklin Circle. In Webster at 940 AM EST, a tree was down on South Shore Road. In Milford at 10 AM EST, a large tree was down on Dogwood Lane by Wildwood Drive.

Strong Wind, Eastern Hampden

When: December 25, 4:41 AM EST
Where: Eastern Hampden forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $800
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.135, -72.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds were generally gusting to 40 to 50 mph. In Monson at 441 AM EST, a tree and wires were down on Brimfield Road.

Strong Wind, Northwest Middlesex County

When: December 25, 4:48 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where: Northwest Middlesex County forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 40 to 50 mph. In Pepperell at 448 PM EST, a tree was down on Route 119 at Shirley Street. In Shirley, a large tree was down on Clark Road.

High Wind, Eastern Norfolk

When: December 25, 5:23 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Norfolk forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At 951 AM EST, the ASOS at the Blue Hill Observatory (KMQE) in Milton at an elevation of approximately 660 feet recorded a wind gust to 68 mph. It had also recorded gusts to 67 mph at 859 AM EST, 66 mph at 813 AM EST, and 61 mph at 751 AM EST. Earlier still, in Milton at 523 AM EST, a tree was down on Neponset Parkway near Brush Hill Road. In Braintree at 831 AM EST, a tree was down on Pearl Street.

Strong Wind, Northern Worcester

When: December 25, 5:30 AM EST to 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Worcester forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.351, -71.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to around 50 mph. In Lunenburg ar 537 AM EST, a medium sized tree was down on West Street at Clifton Road. In Fitchburg at 1010 AM EST, a tree was down on Caswell Road.

Strong Wind, Western Middlesex

When: December 25, 5:40 AM EST to 10:30 AM EST
Where: Western Middlesex forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 50 to 55 mph. In Tyngsboro at 540 AM EST, a large tree was down on Island Road. In Holliston at 630 AM EST, a tree was down on Underwood Street. In Hopkinton at 820 AM EST, a tree and wires were down on Pond Street near the Causeway. In Sherborn at 9 AM EST, a tree was down on Perry Street.

Strong Wind, Eastern Hampshire

When: December 25, 6:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM EST
Where: Eastern Hampshire forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.340, -72.664 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally gusting to 40 to 50 mph. In Belchertown at 602 AM EST, a tree was down on Route 9 at Wilson Road and at 626 AM EST a tree and wires were down on Warren Wright Road. In Northampton at 730 AM EST, a large tree limb was down on River Road.

Strong Wind, Western Norfolk

When: December 25, 7:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Western Norfolk forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.171, -71.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 50 to 55 mph. At 853 AM EST, the ASOS at the Norwood Airport (KOWD) measured a gust to 49 mph. In Franklin at 721 AM EST, a tree was down on Dutchess Road. In Norfolk at 748 AM EST, a tree was down on wires on Everett Street. In Stoughton at 928 AM EST, a tree was down on Hillwood Avenue.

High Wind, Western Plymouth

When: December 25, 7:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where: Western Plymouth forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.987, -70.737 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 55 to 60 mph. In Lakeville at 701 AM EST, a tree was down on Route 105 at the Lakeville/Rochester line. In Carver at 757 AM EST, a tree was down on wires on Forest Street. In Hanson at 845 AM EST, a tree and wires were down at the intersection of Oak Street and Wood Street.

High Wind, Barnstable

When: December 25, 7:59 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where: Barnstable forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.684, -70.274 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In Dennis at 759 AM EST, a mesonet site recorded a wind gust to 62 mph. In the Woods Hole section of Falmouth at 844 AM EST, an amateur radio operator recorded a wind gust to 60 mph. In Eastham at 1002 AM EST, a mesonet site recorded a wind gust to 54 mph.

Strong Wind, Southeast Middlesex

When: December 25, 8:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where: Southeast Middlesex forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.486, -71.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to around 50 mph. In Lexington at 815 AM EST, a tree and wires were down on Crawford Road at Preston Road.

Strong Wind, Suffolk

When: December 25, 8:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where: Suffolk forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.264, -71.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 50 to 55 mph. In the West Roxbury portion of Boston at 9 AM EST, a tree was down on VFW Parkway in front of the V.A. Hospital. On Deer Island at 834 AM EST, a mesonet station recorded a gust to 56 mph.

Strong Wind, Northern Bristol

When: December 25, 8:00 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Bristol forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.757, -71.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winds generally were gusting to 50 to 55 mph. In North Attleboro at 9 AM EST, a tree was down on Mount Hope Street.

Flood, Norfolk

When: December 25, 10:44 AM EST
Where: Norfolk County, 0.81 mi SW of South Bellingham to 0.85 mi SW of South Bellingham
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.041, -71.481

In Bellingham at 1044 AM EST, a car was stuck in street flooding on Newland Avenue.

Flood, Worcester

When: December 25, 10:49 AM EST to 11:30 AM EST
Where: Worcester County, 0.76 mi WSW of Texas to 0.79 mi WSW of Texas
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.168, -71.894

Oxford Police Department posted video to social media showing minor street flooding on Route 20 eastbound before Route 56.

Flood, Franklin

When: December 25, 11:50 AM EST to 12:30 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.96 mi WNW of Greenfield to 0.87 mi WNW of Greenfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.605, -72.618

In Greenfield, a portion of Nash's Mill Road was closed due to flooding near the Green River recreation area.

Flood, Bristol

When: December 25, 11:52 AM EST to 12:30 PM EST
Where: Bristol County, 0.39 mi ESE of South Attleboro to 0.44 mi ESE of South Attleboro
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.899, -71.363

In Attleboro at 1152 AM EST, a section of Collins Street was flooded and impassable.

Flood, Worcester

When: December 25, 3:30 PM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where: Worcester County, 1.38 mi NW of Manchaug to 1.17 mi NW of Manchaug
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.115, -71.768

In Sutton, one foot of street flooding was reported on Putnam Hill Road.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Massachusetts in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Massachusetts, December 2020

Sources

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: 928496, 928497, 928652, 928681, 928700, 928702, 928703, 928705, 928708, 928706, 928716, 928722, 928724, 928725, 928727, 928500, 928501, 928502, 928503, 928504.