An upper level short wave trough moving through northern New England combined with an advancing cold front to produce severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening hours. Despite low K Indices and dry air aloft, the storms managed to strengthen and the dry air helped enhance the severe wind gusts.
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.
An upper level short wave trough moving through northern New England combined with an advancing cold front to produce severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening hours. Despite low K Indices and dry air aloft, the storms managed to strengthen and the dry air helped enhance the severe wind gusts. The storms mainly impacted areas from western MA east-southeastward into northern CT and northern RI.
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, 2:57 PM EST, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
357 PM EDT Tue Jul 12 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front approaches late this afternoon and evening with
scattered showers and thunderstorms; some of which may be strong to
severe mainly across western Massachusetts with a weakening trend
further southeast. While generally dry weather is expected
Wednesday, it will still be very warm. Another round of showers and
thunderstorms Thursday, with locally heavy downpours possible.
Isolated showers possible on Friday with seasonable temperatures.
High pressure brings drier weather for at least the first half of
this weekend.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/...
Through Sunset...
Severe Weather Potential continues as a pre-frontal trough crosses
our area, while a cold front and mid level trough approach from the
west. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are expected, with the
focus over the interior, especially northwest MA late this afternoon
into this evening.
Over the interior, expect continued instability of 1000-2000 J/kg
and effective bulk shear 40-50 kts, with some robust downdraft CAPE
approaching 1000 J/kg. Instability and shear lessens towards eastern
MA and RI, especially where the SW winds provide a marine influence.
Having the main severe threat being over the interior makes sense
given the track of the upper level shortwave into northern New
England, and where the instability and shear overlap. The tendency
should be for the convection to weaken as it moves southeast. Expect
the main threat to locally strong to damaging wind gusts with any
severe thunderstorms. Lack of steep mid level lapse rates will keep
hail a more limited concern but can't be completely ruled out.
Tonight...
Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue into the evening but
will be on a weakening trend as the convection moves eastward into
the I-95 corridor, outrunning the better forcing, shear and
instability. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms continue into
late evening in that area, however by then the risk for severe
weather comes to an end. Then mainly dry weather is expected for the
overnight, except for a lingering low/slight chance for showers near
the Cape and Islands as the cold front's progression slows down.
Otherwise decreasing cloud cover is expected overnight, except low
clouds and patchy fog across SE MA, southern RI, and the Cape and
Islands. Visibility may drop to a half mile or less along the Cape
and Islands. Westerly flow works into the region behind the cold
front, though the overnight will still be muggy. Low temps will
mainly be in the 60s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Wednesday...
The cold front stalls over our area, but it has minimal moisture and
weakening W/SW winds. Expecting cloud cover over the Cape/Islands to
scatter out during the morning, leaving mostly sunny skies for much
of the day across the region. H850 winds drop to 10 kts during the
afternoon, thus sea breezes along both the south and east coasts are
expected to develop. High temperatures in the mid 80s to low 90s are
expected, except less warm along the east slopes of the Berkshires
and Cape/Islands. Surface dewpoints gradually drop during the day,
but there will still be a muggy feel, especially on the south coast
and Islands where dewpoints will linger at 65-70 degrees. A very
modest amount of surface-based instability develops, so can't rule
out a spot shower or two.
Wednesday Night...
The weak cold front is stalled out in the WSW mid level flow for the
night. Dry conditions prevail for the evening, but then we see a
modest moistening of the column while a short wave enters our area
in the WSW mid level flow. Expecting some increase in clouds
overnight, with isolated to widely scattered showers late. Muggy
conditions continue, with lows in the 60s. Patchy fog develops along
the Cape and Islands.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Highlights
* Another round of showers and thunderstorms on Thursday. Not out of
the question there are a few strong/severe storms, along with
heavy downpours.
* Pop-up showers possible on Friday, with near seasonable
temperatures.
* Dry and quiet weather on Saturday, before the pattern becomes more
unsettled Sunday and Monday.
Thursday through Friday...
Still looking like broad cyclonic flow in the mid levels during this
time, with a weak surface low pressure traversing a stalled front
near the coast or just offshore Thursday morning. High pressure over
the Great Lakes will gradually nudge this front farther offshore
Friday.
Mid level lapse rates are a little better than moist adiabatic
Thursday, so expecting at last a chance for some thunderstorms. Not
overly concerned about the threat for severe thunderstorms, as winds
fields are rather modest. Mid level lapse rates crash Thursday night
into Friday, so thinking our region is just in line for some
lingering showers towards the east coast as a high pressure arrives
from the west.
Saturday...
High pressure in place with dry weather. rather light winds to start
the day, becoming an increasing south wind as this high pressure
moves offshore. Will need to watch out for seabreezes lowering
temperatures along the immediate coasts and coastal plain.
Sunday through Tuesday...
This portion of the forecast remains low confidence. A weakly-
defined front, and where it will reach before possibly washing out
complicates the details. Stayed close to the NBM solution, which
maintained a chance for showers ahead of this front. Looking more
humid at least, with a prolonged SW flow.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels:
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Through 00Z...High confidence.
VFR conditions prevail across much of the area, except for brief
MVFR/IFR conditions in SHRA/TSRA across the interior, starting
around 21Z. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, with
the main threat being locally strong wind gusts and brief heavy
rain. The activity will gradually will weaken as it moves southeast
and approaches the I-95 corridor towards 00z.
Tonight...Moderate confidence.
Convection will be weakening into the evening as it approaches
the coastal plain. A few showers and perhaps a rumble or two of
thunder may survive southeast of the I-95 corridor, but not much
more than that is expected. Otherwise...a period of low clouds
and fog will likely impact areas near and especially southeast
of the I-95 corridor where IFR-LIFR conditions are expected.
Further northwest of I-95, mainly expect VFR conditions. Gusty SW
winds early in the evening gradually diminish overnight, becoming W
over the interior.
Wednesday...High confidence.
Some MVFR/IFR CIGs over the Cape/Islands will lift and dissipate
during the morning. Otherwise VFR condition expected across the
area. Winds 5 to 10 knots with localized sea breezes developing
along the coastline.
Wednesday Night...High confidence.
VFR for most of the area. IFR CIGs developing along the Cape and
Islands, with patchy fog.
KBOS...High confidence in TAF. A few t-storms will likely be
weakening if they even survive as they approach the terminal
towards 00z. Best chance of VCTS is 00Z-03Z.
KBDL...Moderate confidence in TAF. A few strong t-storms may
be in the vicinity of the terminal roughly 21Z-23Z.
Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/...
Thursday: VFR. Chance SHRA, isolated TSRA.
Thursday Night through Friday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.
Friday Night through Saturday Night: VFR.
Sunday: VFR. Breezy. Slight chance SHRA.
&&
.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels:
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Tonight...High Confidence. SW wind gusts 20-30 kts in the evening
will diminish overnight, with seas 4-6 feet lingering on the outer
waters. SCA headlines continue. Scattered showers, with isolated
thunderstorms possible through the evening. Areas of fog developing,
with visibility below 1 mile possible along the south coast and near
the Cape/Islands.
Wednesday...High Confidence. W/SW winds around 10 kts prevail,
except sea breeze development during the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet
on the outer waters gradually diminish, with SCA headlines
continuing there until around midday. Areas of fog lift/dissipate
early.
Wednesday night... Light SW winds becoming north, with seas 2-4
feet. Patchy fog develops over the south coastal waters.
Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/...
Thursday: Winds less than 25 kt. Slight chance of rain showers.
Thursday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Chance of rain showers.
Friday through Saturday Night: Winds less than 25 kt.
Sunday: Winds less than 25 kt. Slight chance of rain showers.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for ANZ230-
236.
Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for ANZ231-
251.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Wednesday for ANZ232>235-
237-250.
Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM EDT Wednesday for ANZ254>256.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Belk/NMB
NEAR TERM...NMB
SHORT TERM...NMB
LONG TERM...Belk
AVIATION...Belk/NMB
MARINE...Belk/NMBHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 422 PM EDT Tue Jul 12 2022 CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-RIZ001>008-132030- 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- 422 PM EDT Tue Jul 12 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, all of Massachusetts east of Berkshire County, and Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible into this evening across portions of southern New England. The risk is the highest across interior southern New England, with a diminishing risk to the east. The main threat is damaging wind gusts, but there may be isolated instances of large hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. ANZ230>237-250-251-254>256-132030- 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- 422 PM EDT Tue Jul 12 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Massachusetts and Rhode Island coastal waters. .DAY ONE...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 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
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOSTON/NORTON MA
600 PM EDT TUE JUL 12 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0542 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NE HUNTINGTON 42.25N 72.87W
07/12/2022 HAMPSHIRE MA LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN ON MOUNTAIN VIEW STREET. RELAYED
BY AMATEUR RADIO.
0542 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 WNW BLANDFORD 42.19N 72.98W
07/12/2022 HAMPDEN MA LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN ON BLAIR ROAD. RELAYED BY AMATEUR
RADIO.
0555 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE WESTFIELD 42.13N 72.75W
07/12/2022 HAMPDEN MA LAW ENFORCEMENT
TWO TREES DOWN ON PARKER STREET. RELAYED BY
AMATEUR RADIO.
0556 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SSW SOUTHWICK 42.01N 72.79W
07/12/2022 HAMPDEN MA PUBLIC
TREE DOWN ON WIRES NEAR 50 BLOCK OF COLLEGE
HIGHWAY SOUTH. RELAYED BY AMATEUR RADIO.
&&
GAUCHERThe Boston radar (KBOX), 121 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:15 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
In Enfield at 614 PM EDT, police reported a tree was down on Mathewson Avenue...relayed by amateur radio. Also in Enfield, at 616 PM EDT, amateur radio operators reported a large tree was down on Bailey Road.
In Windsor Locks, a house on Juniper Drive had a fire in the attack and in the walls, likely due to a lightning strike. Report relayed via amateur radio operators.
In East Windsor, a tree and wires were down on Holcomb Terrace. Report relayed by amateur radio.
In Tolland, the Fire Dept. reported a tree down on wires on Pilgrim Drive. Report relayed via amateur radio.
In Tolland, the Fire Dept. reported a tree and wires down at Old Stafford Road and Curtis Drive. Also, a tree was down on power lines on Slater Road.
In Killingly, two trees were down on Route 101...one at the intersection with Upper Maple Street and the other at the intersection with Otis Street.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Connecticut in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Connecticut, July 2022
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: 1034657, 1034656, 1034659, 1034658, 1034661, 1034662.