A strong Nor'easter passed offshore of southern New England bringing widespread heavy rainfall, high elevation snow and sleet, as well as strong winds to the region. There was minor flooding on some rivers as well as minor to moderate coastal flooding along the east coast of MA.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
A strong Nor'easter passed offshore of southern New England bringing widespread heavy rainfall, high elevation snow and sleet, as well as strong winds to the region. There was minor flooding on some rivers as well as minor to moderate coastal flooding along the east coast of MA. This was a late season snow storm with very elevation dependent snowfall totals from 0 to over 8 inches. Wind damage was sporadic and mostly minor, with over 25,000 power outages reported in western MA.
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 Apr 3, 8:59 PM EST, 2 hours 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
959 PM EDT Wed Apr 3 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
A robust system Today and Tonight will bring; locally heavy wet
snow over higher elevations, strong to damaging northeast wind
gusts, heavy rainfall which could lead to renewed river flooding
concerns, and coastal flooding. Unsettled conditions may linger
into next weekend as the storm will be slow to depart.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
10 pm Update...
Starting to see more reports of snow across northern and
western MA as temperatures begin to drop towards freezing.
Latest hi-res guidance continues moderate to heavy precipitation
through about 4 to 5am for the south coast, and 5 to 6am for
northern MA. The dry slot then begins to work in, cutting off
the moisture leaving only lingering rain/snow showers into
tomorrow morning. As for the thunder possibility, latest trends
of the convective cells south of long island are beginning to
weaken as they move closer to the colder airmass. However, there
remains a few hundred J/kg of elevated instability overnight
which could allow for a rumble or two of thunder.
7pm update...
Forecast is on track with winds ramping up and rain continuing.
Main thing to mention with this evening's update is for the
possibility of some embedded thunder as elevated convection
moves up from NJ/NY into southwest/western CT over the next
several hours. This thunder threat will move east during the
overnight hours, centered over RI and southeast MA between
midnight and 6am as a few hundred J/kg of elevated instability
is coincident with ~7c/km mid level lapse rates.
Previous Discussion...
Tonight and Tomorrow
Conditions continue to deteriorate this afternoon and evening as a
low pressure system currently centered over Virginia moves off the
east coast and intensifies before tracking toward southern New
England overnight. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation are
likely overnight as strong FGEN develops parallel to the southern
New England south coastline ahead of the surface low. 12Z suite of
forecast guidance continues to support widespread 1.5 to 2+ inches
of liquid equivalent precipitation between today and tomorrow night.
While most of southern New England will experience rainfall as the
dominant precipitation type, model forecast soundings reveal a warm
nose aloft that is likely to support several hours of sleet/heavy
snow for the locations north of the MA and CT/RI border. Snow will
likely be confined to the higher elevations of The Worcester Hills
and The Berkshires where a winter storm warning remains in effect
for 3 to 6 inches of heavy wet snow. For the lower elevations where
several hours of sleet are expected overnight, the Winter Weather
Advisory has been expanded to include southern Worcester county and
interior Middlesex/Essex counties.
Wind headlines remain in effect as well. Strongest winds look to
peak between about 02am and 08am tomorrow morning with gusts from 45
to 55 mph possible along the southern New England coastline.
Confidence has increased that peak winds will occur close to
tomorrow mornings high tide. This will support minor to moderate
coastal flooding along the southern New England coastline (see
Coastal Flood section of AFD). As the system begins to depart to the
northeast tomorrow afternoon, we'll see precipitation intensity and
winds begin to wind down by mid to late morning. Showers will likely
linger across the northeastern areas into tomorrow evening along
with elevated winds, but we expect wind gusts to fall below 30 mph
across the region by mid to late afternoon tomorrow.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Tomorrow Night
West/northwest winds develop behind the departing low pressure
system. Drier air works its way over the region and allows any
remaining rain/snow showers to taper off by Friday morning. Temps
will be chilly with lows near freezing, but winds become more modest
from 10 to 15 mph out of the west/northwest.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Key Points...
* Cloudy and cool Fri through Sat with intermittent showers
(flurries or light snow showers in the higher terrain).
* Decreasing cloud cover Sunday with moderating temps.
* Drying out for Monday but another storm system from the Great
Lakes could arrive later Tue.
Details...
Friday through Sunday...
A persistence forecast continues through at least the first half of
the weekend thanks to an overall "blocky" pattern continuing with
high pressure downstream. The low continues to spin over the Gulf of
Maine through at least Saturday, though guidance has even slowed
more since 24 hours ago, now keeping the cold pool aloft and
cyclonic flow around well into Sunday. This keeps a cool, moist
atmosphere overhead. While the column will be much drier than mid-
week, expect to see off-and-on rain/high elevation light snow
showers certainly through Saturday, and even continuing to a lesser
extent into Sunday thanks to a slower exit. This slower exit also
means temps will be a bit slower to moderate Sunday, so highs in the
mid 40s on Friday and Saturday will only increase a few degrees for
Sunday.
Monday through Wednesday...
Conditions continue to look favorable for viewing the eclipse on
Monday as a brief mid level ridge and surface high pressure move
overhead. This would mean subsidence and thus dry weather/likelihood
of clearer skies. Being that we are still 5 days out though, a small
change in the forecast (i.e. further slowing of the exit of the low)
could change the expected conditions, so continue to check back for
updates. At this time, however, dry and warmer conditions are
expecting with warm advection associated with the ridge leading to
highs in the low 60s each day. Beyond Monday confidence further
decreases as global guidance is split on how quickly the dry pattern
breaks down.
&&
.AVIATION /02Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Forecast Confidence Levels:
Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High- greater than 60 percent.
00Z TAF Update
Tonight...High Confidence
Strong east/northeast winds overnight. Sustained wind speeds
from 15 to 25 knots with wind gusts ranging from 30 to 40 knots
across the interior and 40 to 50 knots along the coast. IFR/LIFR
flight categories during this time with RAPL developing after
06Z. Cape/Islands/PVD should see rain as dominant Ptype.
Tomorrow...High confidence in trends. Moderate in timing of wind
speed/direction changes.
IFR/MVFR for most of tomorrow. Strong east/northeast winds
remain elevated but gradually diminish as the day progresses.
By 18Z most terminals should have sustained winds in the 15 to
20 knot range with slightly stronger winds from 20 to 25 knots
at BOS. Peak gusts also coming down to around 30 knots by 18Z.
After 18Z winds continue to diminish to sub-20 knot speeds by
00Z while shifting to the north/northwest.
Tomorrow night... Moderate confidence
Gradual improvements to MVFR/VFR with MVFR focused north of
route I-90. Winds becoming modest and shifting from northwest to
west from 10 to 20 knots. Some lingering snow showers possible
at BED/ORH.
KBOS TAF...Moderate Confidence
MVFR ceilings should settle into BOS by 19-20Z with gradual to
deterioration to IFR by 00Z. Winds remain gusty out of the east
with periods of light rain. Pretty good chance that there will
be a period of frozen precipitation, likely sleet, between 06
and 12Z tomorrow. Winds peak between 09Z and 12Z before
gradually diminishing throughout the day tomorrow.
KBDL TAF...High confidence in TAF trends
Outlook /Friday through Monday/...
Friday: Mainly VFR, with areas MVFR possible. Breezy. Slight
chance SHRA.
Friday Night: Mainly VFR, with areas IFR possible. Breezy.
Chance SHRA, chance SHSN.
Saturday: MVFR/IFR conditions possible. Windy with local gusts
up to 30 kt. Chance SHRA.
Saturday Night: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Windy with
areas of gusts up to 30 kt. Chance SHRA.
Sunday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Windy with local
gusts up to 30 kt.
Sunday Night: VFR. Breezy.
Monday: VFR.
&&
.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels:
Low - less than 30 percent.
Medium - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.
Tonight and Tomorrow
* Storm warnings remain in effect for the coastal waters.
Dangerous marine conditions tonight through tomorrow as a
strong Nor'Easter moves over the coastal waters. Winds peak
overnight with sustained east/northeast winds ranging from 30 to
40 knots with gusts from 45 to 55 knots. Seas will rise to
extremely dangerous heights as well, especially across the
eastern marine zones where 20+ foot seas will be possible.
Low pressure departs to the north/northeast tomorrow resulting in
gradual improvements to marine conditions. Wind gusts fall below gale
force by mid-afternoon tomorrow, but seas remain elevated through
tomorrow evening with 6 to 10 foot seas over the southern marine
zones and 10 to 15 foot seas over the eastern marine zones.
Tomorrow Night
Winds and seas continue to gradually diminish and subside
respectively. Winds becoming west from 10 to 20 knots. Seas
subsiding to 4 to 6 feet over the southern marine zones and 6 to 8
feet over the eastern marine zones.
Outlook /Friday through Monday/...
Friday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of rough seas. Chance of
rain showers.
Friday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft. Chance of
rain showers.
Saturday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with local
gusts up to 30 kt. Local rough seas. Chance of rain showers.
Local visibility 1 to 3 nm.
Saturday Night: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds
with local gusts up to 30 kt. Areas of rough seas. Chance of
rain showers.
Sunday: Moderate risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts
up to 30 kt. Areas of rough seas.
Sunday Night: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with
gusts up to 25 kt. Local rough seas.
Monday: Winds less than 25 kt. Areas of seas approaching 5 ft.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Widespread 1.5 to 2 inches of liquid precipitation across southern
New England will renew river flooding for area rivers in Rhode
Island and eastern MA tonight into tomorrow. River flood warnings
have been renewed along the Pawcatuck, Pawtuxet and Wood Rivers in
Rhode Island and the Charles and Taunton Rivers in Massachusetts.
Latest forecasts from The Northeast River Forecast Center suggest
crests to take place late tomorrow night or on Friday. These
forecasts are subject to change based on how the precipitation
forecast unfolds. River Flood Statements (FLS) will be issued as new
forecast information becomes available. &&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Coastal flood watch has been upgraded to a coastal flood
warning for eastern MA, Cape Cod, and The Islands. Strong
east/northeast winds are forecast to peak close to the Thursday
morning high tide along the east coast. Strong pressure falls
and a persistent easterly fetch will likely support a storm
surge close to 3.5 feet. This will be enough to support
widespread minor coastal flooding in the warning zones with
pockets of moderate coastal flooding from wave action
enhancements. A coastal flood advisory is in effect for the
south coast where north/northeast winds will make it difficult
to achieve moderate coastal flooding. However, with peak surge
coinciding close to high tide, minor coastal flooding of
vulnerable shoreline roads will be likely.
&&
&&
.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Wind Advisory until 2 PM EDT Thursday for CTZ002>004.
MA...Wind Advisory until 2 PM EDT Thursday for MAZ005-006-010>014-
017-018.
Winter Storm Warning until 2 AM EDT Friday for MAZ002-008.
Winter Weather Advisory until 5 AM EDT Friday for MAZ003-005-
006-012.
Winter Storm Warning until 8 AM EDT Friday for MAZ004-026.
High Wind Warning until 2 PM EDT Thursday for MAZ007-015-016-
019-022.
Coastal Flood Warning from 6 AM to 10 AM EDT Thursday for
MAZ007-015-016-019-022>024.
Winter Weather Advisory until 2 AM EDT Friday for MAZ009.
High Wind Warning until 5 AM EDT Thursday for MAZ020-021-023-
024.
Coastal Flood Advisory from 3 AM to 7 AM EDT Thursday for
MAZ020-021.
RI...Wind Advisory until 2 PM EDT Thursday for RIZ001>005.
High Wind Warning until 5 AM EDT Thursday for RIZ006>008.
Coastal Flood Advisory from 3 AM to 7 AM EDT Thursday for
RIZ002-004>007.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 2 PM EDT Thursday for ANZ230.
Storm Warning until 11 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ231-254.
Storm Warning until 8 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ232-255.
Storm Warning until 4 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ233>235-237-256.
Gale Warning until 8 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ236.
Storm Warning until 2 PM EDT Thursday for ANZ250-251.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BW/RM
NEAR TERM...BW/RM/KP
SHORT TERM...RM
LONG TERM...BW
AVIATION...BW/RM
MARINE...BW/RM
HYDROLOGY...RM
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...RMThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
In Woonsocket a CWOP station reported a gust to 60 mph at 12:45 AM EDT.
On Block Island, a weather flow site on the Block Island jetty reported a gust to 58 mph at 6:25 AM EDT.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Rhode Island in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Rhode Island, April 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: 1161382, 1161383.