Two rounds of storms moved through southern New England causing sporadic wind damage mainly in northwestern and north central Massachusetts but also in Connecticut to a lesser extent.
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.
Two rounds of storms moved through southern New England causing sporadic wind damage mainly in northwestern and north central Massachusetts but also in Connecticut to a lesser extent.
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 16, 7:20 PM EST, 1 hour earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
820 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
Dangerous heat and humidity will continue through Wednesday
with little nighttime relief expected. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms will move into the region this evening before
weakening, with another round of showers and thunderstorms
Wednesday afternoon and evening. A cold frontal passage
Wednesday night into Thursday will give way to a much more
comfortable airmass to end the work week. Rain-free weather
expected into early next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch continues until 1 AM across most of
southern New England, for now. Will be examining behind the
convection for possible cancellations over the next several
hours. It is probable the watch will not remain intact until its
original expiration time.
Latest SPC mesoanalysis showed some mixed signals. Most
measures of instability were decreasing with sunset. Mid level
lapse rates were analyzed at slightly steeper than moist-
adiabatic, which has not been the case for some events earlier
this month. Putting it all together, expecting thunderstorms to
weaken, but perhaps not completely diminish quite as quickly.
Thought the HRRR had a decent handle on the timing for the
convection, and used it a basis for this update.
Previous Discussion...
Line of robust convection ahead of MCV is moving through
central NY within axis of max instability with MLCAPES
1500-2000 J/kg. The MCV weakens as it passes to the north this
evening. Instability will peak around 1000 J/kg early this
evening so do expect storms to hold together as they move into
western MA 22-00z but should begin to weaken as activity moves
into a less favorable instability and shear environment along
with weakening forcing for ascent. There may be a few strong to
severe storms across interior northern and western MA this
evening before activity weakens and dissipates as it approaches
eastern MA. Otherwise, a warm and humid night with areas of
stratus and fog developing across Cape/Islands and possibly the
immediate south coast. Lows 70-75, except upper 60s higher
terrain.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Wednesday will be the last day of excessive heat and humidity.
Slight cooling at 925/850 mb will result in a slightly cooler
temps, but still 90-95 across a large portion of SNE, with mid-
upper 80s along the south coast. Oppressive humidity with
dewpoints low-mid 70s will lead to heat indices of 97-102F and
heat advisories will continue.
The main concern in the afternoon and evening will be another
round of showers and t-storms moving into the region. Fairly
robust mid level trough amplifies across Gt Lakes with
convection likely firing along a pre-frontal trough which
develops across interior SNE in the afternoon. Environment is
more favorable for severe weather with CAPES 1000-2000 J/kg and
0-6km shear approaching 35 kt, with hi-res CAMs indicating a
storm mode of multicellular clusters and line segments. HREF
2-5km updraft helicities favor areas north and west of I-95 for
best chance of severe weather, with nadocast and CSU machine
learning probs suggesting damaging wind will be the primary
threat. Given the high PWATs exceeding 2 inches, localized heavy
rainfall and flash flooding will also be possible. Rainfall
rates up to 2"/hour will be possible.
It appears convection will weaken as it approaches the south
coast late afternoon and evening due to stabilizing effect of
marine layer but can't rule out an isolated strong storm making
it to the coast. The main cold front will be dropping south
across SNE overnight so there will be a continued risk of
showers and isolated storms through the night, especially near
the coast. Another warm and humid night with lows 70-75 in the
coastal plain with 60s further inland across interior MA.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Key Points...
* Dry and seasonal weather Thursday through this weekend
Still seeing signs for a significant pattern change across
southern New England during this portion of the forecast. Most
notable will be the decrease in humidity, which is something
because dew points in the 60s are usually considered muggy
around these parts. Away from the immediate coast, dew points
should be around 60F, which will be much more comfortable
compared to what we have just experienced this past week.
Daytime temperatures also expected to lower 5-10 degrees from
where we have been Thursday into early next week. This is still
near to slightly above normal for late July. Low temperatures
may not lower quite that much towards the immediate coasts, but
should do so across interior southern New England.
As for precipitation, high pressure and a relatively drier
airmass will drop down from Canada, helping suppress rain and
thunderstorm chances through this weekend. Next chance for rainfall
looks to be early to mid next week as a weak shortwave exits
the Great Lakes.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Forecast Confidence Levels:
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Tonight...Moderate confidence.
Weakening area of scattered showers/t-storms expected to move
across interior MA 00-04z. Stratus and patchy fog will develop
across Cape/Islands with IFR-LIFR conditions, otherwise VFR.
Wednesday...Moderate confidence.
Areas of stratus and patchy fog Cape Cod will lift by 13z, but
may linger through much of the day across ACK. Otherwise, mainly
VFR, but a line of showers/t-storms expected to move W to E
across SNE 18-00z with briefly lower conditions and strong wind.
Wednesday night...Moderate confidence.
Weakening showers/t-storms moving to the coast, otherwise
stratus and patchy fog will expand across Cape/Islands and south
coast. Some uncertainty how far north/inland lower cigs will
get.
KBOS TAF...High confidence in TAF. Weakening convection in the
form of a few showers may reach BOS between 01-02z. Increasing
risk for TSRA toward Wed evening.
KBDL TAF...High confidence in TAF. TSRA mainly stays north of
the terminal 00-01z. Increasing risk for t-storms after 21z
Wed.
Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/...
Thursday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.
Thursday Night through Sunday: VFR.
&&
.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels:
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Tonight through Wednesday night: High confidence.
A period of 25 kt wind gusts likely through this evening along
the south coastal waters as low level jet develops. Winds
diminish a bit overnight with another pulse of near 25 kt gusts
developing Wed afternoon/evening along south coastal waters.
Seas building to 4-6 ft over southern waters. Areas of fog will
develop and reduce vsbys over southern waters tonight and Wed
morning, with more fog likely Wed night. Chance of showers and
t-storms Wed night.
Outlook /Thursday through Sunday/...
Thursday: Winds less than 25 kt. Local rough seas. Chance of
rain showers.
Thursday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas
approaching 5 ft. Slight chance of rain showers.
Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft.
Friday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching
5 ft.
Saturday through Sunday: Winds less than 25 kt.
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Air Quality Alert until 11 PM EDT this evening for CTZ002.
Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Wednesday for CTZ002>004.
MA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Wednesday for MAZ003>007-010>021-
026.
RI...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Wednesday for RIZ001>007.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for ANZ231-
233-234.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Wednesday for ANZ232.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ254>256.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Belk/KJC
NEAR TERM...Belk/KJC
SHORT TERM...KJC
LONG TERM...Belk
AVIATION...Belk/KJC
MARINE...Belk/KJCPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
724 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0655 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Cummington 42.46N 72.85W
07/16/2024 Hampshire MA 911 Call Center
Trees downed on Shaw Road. Time estimated
from radar.
0659 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Shelburne 42.59N 72.69W
07/16/2024 Franklin MA Amateur Radio
Tree down blocking a lane of travel on Rte 2
Westbound. Time estimated from radar.
0706 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Greenfield 42.58N 72.58W
07/16/2024 Franklin MA Amateur Radio
Tree and wires downed on Poplar St. Time
estimated from radar.
0707 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Gill 42.64N 72.50W
07/16/2024 Franklin MA 911 Call Center
Multiple trees downed in town of Gill. Time
estimated from radar.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
730 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0725 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Orange AP 42.57N 72.28W
07/16/2024 M62 MPH Franklin MA ASOS
ASOS station KORE Orange AP.
&&
BLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
731 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0702 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Greenfield 42.59N 72.62W
07/16/2024 Franklin MA 911 Call Center
Trees downed blocking portions of I-91
Northbound. Time estimated from radar.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
758 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0730 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WNW Winchendon 42.70N 72.10W
07/16/2024 Worcester MA Fire Dept/Rescue
Tree downed on wires on Royalston Road. Time
estimated from radar.
0725 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Royalston 42.68N 72.19W
07/16/2024 Worcester MA 911 Call Center
Multiple trees downed in the town of
Royalston. Time estimated from radar.
0725 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Athol 42.59N 72.22W
07/16/2024 Worcester MA 911 Call Center
Multiple trees downed in the town of Athol.
On Chester St, Old Keene Rd and Silver Lake
Road. Tree through roof of home on Hillside
Terrace. Time estimated from radar.
0720 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Orange 42.62N 72.30W
07/16/2024 Franklin MA Fire Dept/Rescue
Tree downed on wires on North Main St. Time
estimated from radar.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
825 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0754 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNW Hatfield 42.40N 72.63W
07/16/2024 Hampshire MA 911 Call Center
Trees and wires downed on Pantry Road. Time
estimated from radar.
0752 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SW Whately 42.43N 72.65W
07/16/2024 Franklin MA Amateur Radio
Trees downed on Weber and Haydenville Road.
Time estimated from radar.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
834 PM EDT Tue Jul 16 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0756 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Lunenburg 42.60N 71.72W
07/16/2024 Worcester MA 911 Call Center
Multiple trees and powerlines downed in
Lunenburg. Time estimated from radar.
0737 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WNW Gardner 42.60N 72.02W
07/16/2024 Worcester MA Fire Dept/Rescue
Tree downed on Clark St. Time estimated from
radar.
&&The Brookhaven radar (KOKX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:22 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
In West Hartford, there were multiple reports of trees and wires down including Timber Ln.
In Ashford, a tree and wires were down on Slade Rd.
In Pomfret, a very large tree limb 20 inches in diameter was down on Kearney Rd bringing down several wires.
In Dayville, trees were down on Putnam Pk.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Connecticut in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Connecticut, July 2024
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: 1186833, 1186835, 1186837, 1186838.