A line of severe thunderstorms moved into the Berkshires late in the afternoon, out ahead of a cold front. The storms weakened as they moved east but still caused isolated tree/wire damage in the slopes of the Berkshires and in Hartford County, CT.
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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 line of severe thunderstorms moved into the Berkshires late in the afternoon, out ahead of a cold front. The storms weakened as they moved east but still caused isolated tree/wire damage in the slopes of the Berkshires and in Hartford County, CT.
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 May 16, 2:01 PM EST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
301 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
Strong to severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon and
especially late this afternoon/evening across western
Massachusetts and northern Connecticut as a cold front slides
through. Any stronger storms could bring damaging winds, hail
and heavy downpours. Cooler but seasonable temperatures return
Tuesday through Thursday. Summertime warmth arrives Friday with
the potential for our first 90 degree temperatures Saturday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
245 PM Update...
Highlights
* Isolated strong to severe storms possible across western
MA/northern CT into central MA this afternoon.
* Risk of more widespread strong to severe storms across western
MA/northern CT between 5-9 PM as a line moves in from the
west.
Per coordination with SPC have hoisted a Severe Thunderstorm
Watch across western MA/northern CT this afternoon into the
evening. Weak forcing for ascent due to the incoming trough
coupled with an uncapped environment and dew points in the
low/mid 60s has resulted in showers/storms developing within the
warm sector well ahead of the cold front. In the latest update
have leaned more toward the NSSL WRF, which is doing well
compared to observations. Should see this initial activity lift
northwards with a bit of a lull in the activity before a
disorganized line moves in late this afternoon into the evening.
At the moment per SPC Mesoanalysis have 500-1500 J/kg of MLCAPE
with no CIN. Low level lapse rates are 6-9 C/km with poor mid
level lapse rates and effective shear of 20-30 kts. As mentioned
think this afternoons activity will lift northward, but will be
tough to sustain itself until the stronger forcing/better shear
comes in later. Not out of the question a few storms are severe
with the main risk being damaging winds and perhaps some large
hail along with heavy downpours.
As for later this afternoon/evening am thinking that our
previous forecast was pretty good, though things could come in a
touch sooner than previously forecast. Timing wise am thinking
roughly 4-9 PM range as the cold front swings in. The upper
trough becomes negatively tilted as it lifts into the eastern
Great Lakes/New England tonight. A strong cold front will sweep
into eastern NY late this afternoon/evening and into/through
southern New England this evening/tonight. The main question for
this evening will be if any line that comes in from the west is
able to tap into the waning instability. Most CAM guidance
shows the activity weakening as it progresses eastward tonight,
but will need to keep a close eye on it due to the strong
forcing in place along with more than sufficient shear. Will
have deep layer shear increasing to 30-40 kts ahead of the line.
MLCAPE around 500-1000 J/kg, but should decrease as time goes
on. Low level lapse rates initially nearly adiabatic with mid
level lapse rates approaching 6 C/km. The focus of this will be
across western MA/northern CT. Again timing wise looked pretty
good from previous shift, but maybe just a touch sooner with the
latest HREF 4/5 PM advancing eastward to the CT Valley by 5-7
PM and weakening as it pushes into central MA/NE CT 7-9 PM.
Think given the strong forcing there still could be a few
rumbles of thunder as it moves into eastern areas, but the
stable marine layer should continue to weaken the activity as it
progresses eastward this evening. At this point as the line
moves in the main risk will be damaging winds, perhaps some
large hail and heavy downpours. An isolated tornado is not out
of the question, but think the risk will be higher to the SW/W
of the region due to the better instability along with more
favorable low level shear profiles. Should see most of this
activity out of the region around 10 PM to 12 AM. Dry and quiet
weather expected behind the front with temps cooling into the
50s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Highlights
* Dry and quiet weather with more seasonable temps. A bit breezy
in wake of the cold front.
Given the activity across the region this afternoon did not
spend a whole lot of time looking at this period. Cyclonic flow
aloft will lead to lots of diurnal clouds across southern new
England, but may be dry enough in the lower levels to keep any
shower activity at bay. Have removed precipitation chances at
this point, but not out of the question there could be a
sprinkle or two. Will be breezy due to a deep mixed layer as
colder W/WNW flow advects into the region. Think there could be
some 25-35 mph gusts during the afternoon and 15-25 mph gusts
Tuesday night. Again will be more seasonable with temps ranging
from the mid 60s to mid 70s. Low temps will generally be in the
40s, but there will be some 50 degree readings along the coastal
plain.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Highlights...
- Temperatures and humidity on the uptick by mid-week
- Hot and humid conditions forecast for next week
- Afternoon Thunderstorms possible next weekend
Wednesday and Thursday...
Pick of the week? I think so. Deep northwest flow will support
seasonable temperatures and dry conditions across southern New
England on Wednesday afternoon. High pressure will keep the skies
clear. Seasonable temperatures this time of year fall into the upper
60s to low 70s for highs on Wednesday afternoon. Humidity will
not be an issue as dewpoints are expected to be in the 20-40 F
range. By Wednesday night however, a mid-level ridge builds in
from the west resulting in a wind shift to the southwest.
Increasing moisture and warm advection from the
south/southwesterly flow may produce some scattered showers
across the region Wednesday night into Thursday.
Southerly flow continues to advect more warm/moist air into southern
New England on Thursday. Cloud cover keeps high temperatures in the
low 70s on Thursday, but increasing low-level moisutre will support
higher dewpoints and thus higher humidity on Thursday. Overall a
decent day with no rainfall or impactful weather expected. Weak
short-wave aloft traversing over southern New England Thursday night
may produce another round of scattered rainfall.
Friday...
Upper-level ridge begins to amplify over the east coast on Friday.
Deep southwest flow and strong WAA will raise temperatures at 925
hPa close to 20C. This will support high temperatures at the surface
in the upper 70s to low 80s on Friday. Dewpoints continue to climb
into the low-mid 50s supporting more humid conditions than what is
expected mid-week.
Saturday and Sunday...
Hot and humid conditions expected next Saturday and Sunday. Could
see temps in the low-mid 90s at some locations Saturday afternoon
per ensemble guidance. A deep upper-level trough will be approaching
from the west, and with an unstable air mass in place, there exists
the possibility for afternoon thunderstorms. Quite a bit of spread
in the models with respect to time of arrival of the upper-level
trough axis and associated front. EURO brings the front through
Sunday morning, while the GFS has the front arrive nearly 24 hours
later. Given the great uncertainty, have leaned on NBM which
appropriately assigns the highest PoPs to Sunday evening. Stay
tuned for more.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Through 00Z...Moderate confidence, mainly due to uncertainty in
exact timing.
Generally have VFR conditions across southern New England with
scattered showers and thunderstorms due to weak ascent well
ahead of the incoming cold front. Have tried to add a VCSH/VCTS
to account for this activity, but this initial round should lift
northwards. Not out of the question there are gusty winds and
some hail if a storm passes over a terminal. Think the risk is
greater between 21-03Z as the cold front slides in bringing a
disorganized line from west to east. Anticipate MVFR with brief
IFR/LIFR conditions as the line slides through for CT Valley to
ORH. Anticipate this activity to weaken as it progresses further
east due to the waning instability, but could see some 40 kt
gusts. Further east the marine layer should weaken the activity,
but still could have a few rumbles of thunder. Winds out of the
S at 10-15 kts with gusts up to 20 kts outside of thunderstorm
activity. Could have some higher gusts if a thunderstorm moves
over a terminal.
Cold front pushes through SNE later tonight with wind shift to
W/NW and improvement to VFR, which continues into Tue. Will be
breezy across the region.
KBOS TAF: Medium confidence due to timing in category changes.
KBDL TAF: Medium confidence due to timing in category changes.
Outlook /Wednesday through Friday/...
Wednesday Night: VFR.
Thursday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.
Thursday Night through Friday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR
possible.
&&
.MARINE...
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
High confidence through Tuesday.
Main concern tonight is areas of dense fog until the cold front
crosses waters, shifting winds to W/NW and bringing improving
visibility. May also see a few showers perhaps a rumble of
thunder or two as front passes.
Winds and seas should reach SCA later this evening with increasing
W/NW flow and have continued SCA for outer waters where we are
more confident. Still uncertain for SCA across the nearshore
waters as winds appear to be marginal.
Outlook /Wednesday through Friday/...
Wednesday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft.
Wednesday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally
approaching 5 ft.
Thursday: Winds less than 25 kt. Slight chance of rain showers.
Thursday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching
5 ft. Slight chance of rain showers.
Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
We will be in a period of high astronomical tides this week, the
first of which occurs with tonight's high tide along both the
east and south coasts. Some coastal sites are forecast to crest
just below or right at flood stage.
Keep in mind no storm surge or wave action is expected since
winds will be blowing offshore most of the week. Only shallow
inundation (less than 1 foot) is expected from still water
elevation in the most vulnerable locations, such as some shoreline
roads. This will be more in the way of nuisance flooding and
should not present any significant impacts.
We handle situations like this by issuing Coastal Flood
Statements. These will be updated periodically during the week
as necessary.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 8 AM EDT
Tuesday for ANZ250-254>256.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BL/RM
NEAR TERM...BL
SHORT TERM...BL
LONG TERM...RM
AVIATION...BL/RM
MARINE...BL/RM
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 442 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022 CTZ003-004-MAZ004>007-012>024-026-RIZ001>008-172045- Tolland CT-Windham CT-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA- Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex 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- 442 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, central Massachusetts, eastern Massachusetts, northeastern Massachusetts, southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this evening roughly between 5 to 9 pm across western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut with the greatest risk west of the Connecticut River Valley. The main threat will be locally strong to damaging wind gusts along with heavy rain/brief poor drainage street flooding. The activity is anticipated to weaken as it moves further east. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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. CTZ002-MAZ002-003-008>011-172045- Hartford CT-Western Franklin MA-Eastern Franklin MA- Western Hampshire MA-Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA- Eastern Hampden MA- 442 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 227 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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>256-172045- 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- 442 PM EDT Mon May 16 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...Tuesday through Sunday. 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/nwsboston You can follow us on Twitter at @NWSBoston
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA 118 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022 MAZ004-012-161815- Southern Worcester MA-Northern Worcester MA- 118 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Worcester County through 215 PM EDT... At 117 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Charlton, or 11 miles southwest of Worcester, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Little to no impact from hail is expected. Locations impacted include... Worcester, Shrewsbury, Holden, Auburn, Northborough, Oxford, Charlton, Spencer, Leicester, Sturbridge, Rutland, Sterling, West Boylston, Barre, Warren, Paxton, North Brookfield, Hubbardston, Boylston and West Brookfield. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Get indoors when you hear thunder. Do not resume outdoor activities until at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. For your safety, go indoors or to your vehicle. This storm may intensify and become severe. Stay tuned to your local media for updates and possible warnings. && LAT...LON 4209 7196 4223 7222 4252 7205 4234 7163 TIME...MOT...LOC 1717Z 225DEG 17KT 4217 7198 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Smith
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
152 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
MAZ004-005-012-026-161830-
Northwest Middlesex County MA-Southern Worcester MA-
Central Middlesex County MA-Northern Worcester MA-
152 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Worcester and northwestern Middlesex Counties through 230 PM EDT...
At 151 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Boylston, or near Shrewsbury, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...30 mph wind gusts and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Little to no impact from hail is expected.
Locations impacted include...
Worcester, Lowell, Leominster, Fitchburg, Shrewsbury, Chelmsford,
Dracut, Westford, Hudson, Holden, Northborough, Clinton, Pepperell,
Tyngsborough, Groton, Lunenburg, Townsend, Littleton, Lancaster and
Sterling.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Get indoors when you hear thunder. Do not resume outdoor activities
until at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. For your
safety, go indoors or to your vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4270 7140 4269 7128 4229 7170 4236 7187
4271 7170
TIME...MOT...LOC 1751Z 216DEG 22KT 4237 7174
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
SmithSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
232 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
MAZ005>007-026-161915-
Northwest Middlesex County MA-Eastern Essex MA-
Central Middlesex County MA-Western Essex MA-
232 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Essex
and northeastern Middlesex Counties through 315 PM EDT...
At 231 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Westford, or near Chelmsford, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen, Billerica, Chelmsford, Andover,
Dracut, Tewksbury, North Andover, Westford, Acton, Concord, Amesbury,
Tyngsborough, Groton, Littleton, Salisbury, Boxford and Ayer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Get indoors when you hear thunder. Do not resume outdoor activities
until at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed.
&&
LAT...LON 4246 7138 4257 7158 4270 7145 4270 7129
4274 7124 4274 7118 4279 7118 4282 7115
4282 7113 4281 7107 4286 7103 4287 7097
4289 7093 4288 7089
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 218DEG 40KT 4257 7144
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
SmithSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
613 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
MAZ002>004-162300-
Western Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Eastern Franklin MA-
613 PM EDT Mon May 16 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Worcester and northeastern Franklin Counties through 700 PM EDT...
At 612 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Greenfield, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could cause minor damage such as downed
branches. Little to no impact from hail is expected.
Locations impacted include...
Greenfield, Deerfield, Montague, Sunderland, Northfield, Bernardston,
Shelburne, Leverett, Erving, Colrain, Gill, Royalston, Wendell,
Warwick and Leyden.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Get indoors when you hear thunder. Do not resume outdoor activities
until at least 30 minutes after the storm has passed.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
western Massachusetts. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in
effect until 1100 PM EDT for central Massachusetts.
&&
LAT...LON 4272 7223 4249 7253 4261 7271 4273 7258
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 221DEG 48KT 4261 7256
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FrankThe Brookhaven radar (KOKX), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:18 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
In Hartford, a tree was downed, along with wires, on Holcomb Street. Wires also were downed on Barbour 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, May 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: 1014276.