Amid a hot and humid air mass, scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours across western Massachusetts on August 4, 2022. One storm became severe, downing some trees near Pittsfield.
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 ALY wrote it up.
Amid a hot and humid air mass, scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours across western Massachusetts on August 4, 2022. One storm became severe, downing some trees near Pittsfield. An additional tree was downed from an outflow boundary that moved through.
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 Albany, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 4, 2:58 PM EST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Albany NY
358 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak cold front approaching from the northwest will
eventually move into our region on Friday, resulting in
continued chances for showers and thunderstorms. This front is
expected to stall across the area Friday night, then lift back
north as a warm front on Saturday. So very warm temperatures
with oppressive humidity will persist through the weekend. Some
additional showers and thunderstorms will also be possible, but
should generally be scattered and occur during the afternoon to
early evening hours.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for the Mohawk, Hudson and
Connecticut River Valleys as well as the central and southern
Taconics, western Ulster County, the southern Berkshires and
northwestern Connecticut until 8 PM today...
Dangerous heat/humidity combination across lower elevations in
progress this afternoon. Latest observations indicating heat
indices in the mid 90s to lower 100s in the Heat Advisory area.
Also of note, daily record high temperatures have been set at
Albany(99 degrees) and Poughkeepsie(99 degrees) this afternoon.
The oppressive conditions will only gradually abate this
evening, with the Advisory remaining in effect through 8 PM.
Otherwise, a pre-frontal trough moving into the region is
resulting in scattered to numerous convection late this
afternoon. MLCAPE was slow to build, but we now have around
1500-2000 J/Kg across much of the area based on the 3 PM SPC
Mesoanalysis. Low level (0-3 km) lapse rates of 8-9 degC/Km
noted across a large area coinciding with DCAPE values of
800-1300 J/Kg from the upper Hudson Valley and eastern Mohawk
Valley southward. Main threat with storms will be isolated
damaging winds gusts from wet microbursts. PWAT anomalies of +1
to +2 STDEV will continue to spread south/east into this evening
so with warm cloud depths increasing to > 10 kft. So locally
heavy rainfall from torrential downpours could lead to
isolated/localized flooding of urban, poor drainage and low
lying areas.
Coverage/intensity of showers and storms will decrease this
evening due to diurnal effects, with mainly dry conditions
overnight (isolated shower/storm cannot be ruled out). It will
be very warm and humid tonight, with lows only in the mid 60s to
lower 70s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for the mid Hudson Valley,
southern Taconics, southern Berkshires and northwestern
Connecticut from Noon to 8 PM Friday...
Very warm and humid conditions will occur again on Friday,
although the worst heat/humidity should be confined to valley
areas south of Albany where a Heat Advisory remains in
effect(max heat indices mid to upper 90s). A weak cold front
will gradually sag southward, but likely stall across central
portions of the area. This front and a weak disturbance aloft
will provide the forcing for likely showers and thunderstorms
mainly during the afternoon to early evening hours. HREF mean
indicating SBCAPE around 1000-1500 J/Kg developing which will
provide sufficient buoyancy for convection given the expected
forcing. Deep layer 0-6 km shear remains weak < 20 kt so pulse-
type storms should be main mode with some gusty winds possible,
but likely sub-severe levels. PWAT anomalies solidly +1 to +2
STDEV, so locally heavy rainfall due to downpours from
thunderstorms could result in isolated/localized flooding.
Coverage/intensity of convection should again wane after dark
Friday evening due to diurnal effects. The old stalled front
should start to move northward as a warm front overnight into
early Saturday morning.
The warm front is expected to be north of the area by Saturday,
resulting in another surge of heat and humidity as a low level
S-SW flow develops. Additional Heat Advisory will likely be
needed in lower elevations with high temperatures in the upper
80s and dewpoints climbing into the upper 60s to lower 70s.
Diurnally driven convection expected again, although with lack
of forcing compared to Friday, will mention only scattered
coverage during the afternoon to early evening. Similar to
Friday, moderate CAPE and weak shear should result in pulse
storms. Brief gusty winds/downpours expected again, with no
organized severe storms anticipated.
Any showers and storms should diminish after dark Saturday
evening with loss of daytime heating. Yet another warm, humid
night expected with lows again in the mid 60s to lower 70s.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Our strong upper-level high will remain anchored across the
western Atlantic through at least Monday as our very warm and
humid air mass continues. A cold front on Sunday will only dip
far enough south to reach the St. Lawrence Valley before lifting
back northward as a storm system moves northeastward across the
Upper Great Lakes. As a result, we will be looking at highs in
the upper 80s to lower 90s across the valleys Sunday and Monday
with upper 70s to mid-80s in the higher elevations. Dewpoints in
the upper 60s to lower 70s may result in some valley areas
reaching heat advisory criteria on one or both of these days.
In addition to the very warm air mass, we will be monitoring
the potential for a few showers and thunderstorms on both days,
mainly during the afternoon hours. While there will be some
instability in place, forcing and shear will be rather weak.
Precipitable water values will remain high (between 1.25 and
1.75 inches) so we could have some locally heavy downpours in
any developing shower. Severe weather threat should be limited,
however.
Our stretch of hot and humid weather will come to an end on
Tuesday as a cold front pushes across the region. Showers and
thunderstorms may become more organized on this day due to the
addition of a forcing mechanism that was lacking the previous
days. With the additional clouds and convection, high
temperatures are only projected to reach the 70s across the
higher terrain to the 80s to near 90 in the valleys. Pending on
the timing of the front, there could be some lingering showers
and thunderstorms for areas mainly south and east of Albany on
Wednesday.
In the wake of the cold front, upper-level troughing returns
which will bring the return to more seasonable weather with
lower humidity areawide on Thursday.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
A weak frontal system will approach the area later this
afternoon and this evening, triggering scattered showers and
thunderstorms across the TAF sites. Went with TEMPO groups for
thunderstorms from approximately 20z to 01z which is the most
likely time for a passing thunderstorm at the TAF sites today.
Conditions will be VFR except for brief periods of MVFR with any
passing thunderstorm later today. In addition to MVFR
conditions, any stronger storm could have a brief period of
strong, gusty winds with speeds greater than 30 kts. The chance
of thunderstorms will dissipate after sunset, with dry weather
expected overnight. Overnight conditions will be mostly VFR, but
patches of low cloud or light fog could lower conditions to
MVFR between about 08z and 12z.
Friday will be another humid day, although not quite as hot as
today. Conditions will once again be mainly VFR, but scattered
thunderstorms will develop once again in the afternoon with
brief periods of MVFR possible.
Scattered thunderstorms will bring brief periods of strong,
gusty winds to parts of the area late this afternoon through
early this evening, with gusts over 30 kts possible. Otherwise,
southwest winds will average 10 kts or less today. Light
variable winds will occur tonight, then southerly winds will
average 10 kts or less on Friday.
Outlook...
Friday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Scattered SHRA...TSRA.
Saturday: Moderate Operational Impact. Scattered SHRA...TSRA.
Saturday Night: Low Operational Impact. Isolated SHRA...TSRA.
Sunday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA.
Sunday Night: Low Operational Impact. Slight Chance of SHRA.
Monday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA.
Monday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA.
Tuesday: Moderate Operational Impact. Likely SHRA...TSRA.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
A weak cold front approaching from the northwest will
eventually move into our region on Friday, resulting in
continued chances for showers and thunderstorms. This front is
expected to stall across the area Friday night, then lift back
north as a warm front on Saturday. So very warm temperatures
with oppressive humidity will persist through the weekend. Some
additional showers and thunderstorms will also be possible, but
should generally be scattered and occur during the afternoon to
early evening hours.
Maximum relative humidity values will increase to between 90
and 100 percent tonight, decreasing to minimum values of 50 to
70 percent on Friday. Maximum RH values Friday night will again
be around 90 to 100 percent.
Winds tonight through Friday will southwest around 5 mph,
becoming variable less than 5 mph Friday night.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Mainly scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each
day through next Tuesday. The best chances will during the
afternoon into the early evening hours. Some areas will see
numerous showers and storms at time this afternoon and/or Friday
afternoon.
In the near term, showers and storms into this evening will be
capable of producing locally heavy rainfall from efficient
downpours. This could lead to ponding of water or even some
localized flooding on roads in urban, poor drainage, and low
lying areas. Widespread flooding issues are not expected though
due to both the expected mainly scattered coverage and dry
antecedent ground conditions.
The latest drought monitor released today shows expanding areas
of D1(Moderate Drought) and D0(Abnormally Dry) conditions, now
encompassing western New England, the Taconics, mid Hudson
Valley and the Capital District. Most rainfall that occurs over
the next several days will be largely beneficial except for
possible isolated/localized flooding from downpours associated
with thunderstorms.
For details on specific area rivers and lakes, including
observed and forecast river stages and lake elevations, please
visit the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service /AHPS/ graphs
on our website.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Current Record Highs for August 4:
Albany: 99* (2022*)
Glens Falls: 93 (1928)
Poughkeepsie: 99* (2022)
Last 100-degree days:
Albany: September 3, 1953 (100)
Glens Falls: August 7, 1918 (101)
Poughkeepsie: July 22, 2011 (102)
Highest All-Time Temperatures for August:
Albany: 102 (August 7,1918)
Glens Falls: 101 (August 7, 1918)
Poughkeepsie: 104 (August 1, 1933)
&&
.ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for CTZ001-013.
Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM EDT Friday for CTZ001-013.
NY...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NYZ038>041-043-
049-050-052-053-059>061-063>066-083-084.
Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM EDT Friday for NYZ064>066.
MA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for MAZ025.
Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM EDT Friday for MAZ025.
VT...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for VTZ015.
&&
SYNOPSIS...JPV
NEAR TERM...JPV
SHORT TERM...JPV
LONG TERM...Rathbun
AVIATION...MSE
FIRE WEATHER...JPV
HYDROLOGY...JPV
CLIMATE...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albany NY 427 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 MAZ001-NYZ047-048-051-054-058-VTZ013-014-051100- Northern Berkshire-Schoharie-Western Schenectady-Western Albany- Eastern Rensselaer-Western Greene-Bennington-Western Windham- 427 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the northern Berkshires of western Massachusetts, northern Catskills, Helderbergs, northern Taconics and the Schoharie Valley in eastern New York and Bennington and western Windham County of southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms with isolated damaging winds and locally heavy possible into this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday through Tuesday mainly during the afternoon and evening. Heat Advisories may be needed on Sunday for elevations mainly below 1000 feet. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NYZ038>041-043-049-050-052-053-059>061-063-083-084-VTZ015-051100- Southern Herkimer-Southern Fulton-Montgomery-Northern Saratoga- Northern Washington-Eastern Schenectady-Southern Saratoga- Eastern Albany-Western Rensselaer-Eastern Greene-Western Columbia- Eastern Columbia-Western Ulster-Southeast Warren-Southern Washington- Eastern Windham- 427 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Mohawk and Hudson River valleys and central Taconics in eastern New York and eastern Windham County in southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms with isolated damaging winds and locally heavy possible into this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday through Tuesday mainly during the afternoon and evening. Heat index values in excess of 95 degrees may also be possible across some areas on Friday from the Capital District south into the mid Hudson Valley. If this potential increases, then additional heat advisories may be needed. Additional heat advisories may be needed in some valley locations Saturday, Sunday and Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CTZ001-013-MAZ025-NYZ064>066-051100- Northern Litchfield-Southern Litchfield-Southern Berkshire- Eastern Ulster-Western Dutchess-Eastern Dutchess- 427 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT FRIDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the southern Berkshires of western Massachusetts, northwestern Connecticut, and southern portions of the mid Hudson Valley and southern Taconics of eastern New York. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. .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. Heat Advisory. There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday through Tuesday mainly during the afternoon and evening. Additional heat advisories may be needed in some valley areas Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NYZ032-033-042-082-051100- Northern Herkimer-Hamilton-Northern Warren-Northern Fulton- 427 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the western and southern Adirondacks of eastern New York. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms with isolated damaging winds and locally heavy possible into this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday through Monday mainly during the afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
542 PM EDT THU AUG 04 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0527 PM TSTM WND DMG BENNINGTON 42.87N 73.19W
08/04/2022 BENNINGTON VT TRAINED SPOTTER
TREES AND WIRES DOWN THROUGHOUT BENNINGTON AND
SURROUNDING TOWNS.
&&
EVENT NUMBER ALY2203529
RATHBUNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
543 PM EDT THU AUG 04 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0525 PM HEAVY RAIN DELMAR 42.62N 73.83W
08/04/2022 M3.48 INCH ALBANY NY SOCIAL MEDIA
STORM TOTAL AS OF 525 PM.
&&
EVENT NUMBER ALY2203530
RATHBUNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
550 PM EDT THU AUG 04 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0454 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 S ARGYLE 43.20N 73.49W
08/04/2022 WASHINGTON NY DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
TREE DOWN ALONG ROUTE 40 BETWEEN COACH ROAD SPUR AND
COUNTY FARM ROAD.
&&
EVENT NUMBER ALY2203531
RATHBUNSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
550 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
NYZ041-049-050-052>054-084-042230-
Eastern Albany NY-Western Rensselaer NY-Eastern Schenectady NY-
Eastern Rensselaer NY-Southern Washington NY-Southern Saratoga NY-
Northern Saratoga NY-
550 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Schenectady,
northeastern Albany, southeastern Saratoga, southern Washington and
northern Rensselaer Counties through 630 PM EDT...
At 550 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Round Lake, or near Mechanicville, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Clifton Park, Rotterdam, Cohoes,
Watervliet, Colonie, Scotia, Mechanicville, Hoosick Falls, Latham,
Guilderland, Niskayuna, Ballston Spa, Green Island, Grafton,
Waterford, Cambridge and Round Lake.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 90 near exit 25.
Interstate 890 between exits 4b and 9.
Interstate 87 between exits 2 and 7, and between exits 8A and 13N.
Interstate 787 between exits 8 and 9.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4269 7396 4301 7395 4309 7327 4284 7328
4283 7329 4279 7329 4274 7327
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 263DEG 21KT 4292 7375
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TAWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
556 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
MAZ025-NYZ059>061-042230-
Southern Berkshire MA-Eastern Columbia NY-Eastern Greene NY-
Western Columbia NY-
556 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Columbia and
east central Greene Counties through 630 PM EDT...
At 556 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lorenz Park, or near Hudson, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Hudson, Chatham, Claverack, Coxsackie, Athens, Austerlitz, Philmont,
Kinderhook, Lorenz Park, Claverack-Red Mills, Ghent, Stockport,
Canaan, Rossman, North Hillsdale, Climax, Brick Tavern, Harlemville,
West Ghent and Fitchs Wharf.
This includes Interstate 87 near exit 21.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4220 7344 4223 7394 4238 7387 4243 7338
4243 7337
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 263DEG 21KT 4230 7375
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TAWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
558 PM EDT THU AUG 04 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0438 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 N DELMAR 42.65N 73.83W
08/04/2022 ALBANY NY TRAINED SPOTTER
LARGE TREE DOWN ON HARTMAN ROAD IN THE CITY OF ALBANY.
TIME ESTIMATED.
&&
EVENT NUMBER ALY2203532
RATHBUNThe Albany radar (KENX), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:59 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was downed along Glendale Road in West Stockbridge. This damage occurred due to an outflow boundary ahead of a line of thunderstorms.
Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted along Churchill Street in the City of Pittsfield. One of the trees fell onto a house.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Massachusetts in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Massachusetts, August 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: 1052658, 1052657.