Tornadoes · United States · Massachusetts · 2024

EF1 tornado, Seekonk to Adamsdale, Massachusetts, June 26, 2024

From Seekonk to Adamsdale, this EF1 tornado ran 0.6 miles across Bristol County on June 26, 2024, touching down at 11:29 PM EDT and reaching 50 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $5,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF1
Date
June 26, 2024
Touchdown
11:29 PM EDT (03:29 UTC)
Lifted
11:30 PM EDT (03:30 UTC)
On the ground
1 minutes
Path length
0.6 miles (0.9 km)
Path width
50 yards (46 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$5,000
County
Bristol County
Touchdown point
41.802, -71.294
Lift-off point
41.804, -71.284
Record number
2406262129-01

The damage survey

28 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS BOX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 100 mph.

  • Some hardwoods topped/snapped. Large uproots.
  • 3 large uprooted into house. Others topped/snapped around.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

Strong storms moved through southern New England overnight bringing a line of very strong winds, some flash flooding, and two tornados to Massachusetts.

A tornado touched down in a wooded area west of Steber Way in|Rehoboth, MA. A number of large hardwood and softwood trees were|snapped and uprooted in the woods and in several yards along the|path. Otherwise, there was no significant damage to homes. The|tornado reached a maximum intensity of 90 mph. The maximum width|of the tornado was 50 yards. This was a very short lived tornado|which was only on the ground for one minute.

A tornado touched down near Breakneck Hill Road in Lincoln, RI|and traveled to the east-northeast. A number of large hardwood|trees were uprooted, some of which fell onto homes and other|structures in both Lincoln and Cumberland, RI. The tornado|reached maximum intensity of around 100 mph in a few locations.|Other trees were topped and snapped well above the ground. The|maximum width of the tornado was around 100 yards. |The tornado continued to produce tree damage|through Cumberland, RI across the state line into North|Attleboro, MA where it continued to snap and uproot trees before|lifting in the vicinity of Cushman Road.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

6 minutes of warning. NWS BOX issued a tornado warning for this county at 03:23 UTC, 6 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 03:43 UTC.

The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 01:58 UTC and running to 04:37 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
01:58 UTC04:37 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WatchBOX
03:09 UTC03:45 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOX
03:16 UTC04:06 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOX
03:23 UTC03:43 UTCTornado WarningBOX

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk, with a 0.02 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 01:09 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), 00:00Z

3.5 hours before the tornado, 168 km from the path. June 27, 2024.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Brookhaven, NY at 00:00Z on 2024-06-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 760 joules per kilogram, CIN -109, lifted condensation level 1059 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Brookhaven, NY at 00:00Z on 2024-06-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 79 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 35 knots.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
760 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-109 J/kg
Surface CAPE
816 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1059 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
35 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
79 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
94 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
2.1
0-3 km lapse rate
5.0 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), 12:00Z

8.5 hours after it, 168 km from the path. June 27, 2024.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2024-06-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 0 joules per kilogram, CIN -87036, lifted condensation level 737 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2024-06-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 1 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 48 knots.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-87036 J/kg
Surface CAPE
241 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
737 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
1 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
146 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0
0-3 km lapse rate
4.6 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 03:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
01:00 UTCFLOOD2 Ese FraminghamMiddlesex, MASection of Route 9 near Natick has flooded with depth estimated to be 1 ft.
01:00 UTCFLOOD2 Ese FraminghamMiddlesex, MASection of Route 9 near Natick has flooded with depth estimated to be 1 ft.
01:25 UTCFLOOD1 S West RoxburySuffolk, MA3 cars stuck in floodwaters on Spring St in West Roxbury. Relayed by amateur radio.
01:25 UTCFLOOD1 S West RoxburySuffolk, MA3 cars stuck in floodwaters on Spring St in West Roxbury. Relayed by amateur radio.
01:31 UTCFLOOD1 Nw DedhamNorfolk, MASection of Cmmon St in Dedham flooded out. Relayed by amateur radio.
01:31 UTCFLOOD1 Nw DedhamNorfolk, MASection of Cmmon St in Dedham flooded out. Relayed by amateur radio.
03:23 UTCTSTM WND DMGSeekonkBristol, MAdowned trees and roof damage at Seekonk High School. Time estimated from radar.
03:23 UTCTSTM WND DMGSeekonkBristol, MAdowned trees and roof damage at Seekonk High School. Time estimated from radar.
03:23 UTCTSTM WND DMGSeekonkBristol, MAUpdated: Storm survey indicated a microburst with winds estimated at 100 mph downed and snapped many trees in a wooded area near Seekonk High School and in a school courtyard which caused damage to the roof. Time estimat
03:24 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Nne East ProvidenceProvidence, RITreed downed blocked one lane on Pleasant Street. Time estimated from radar.
03:24 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Nne East ProvidenceProvidence, RITreed downed blocked one lane on Pleasant Street. Time estimated from radar.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 N SeekonkBristol, MAVideo of several large trees downed at Seekonk High School. Time estimated from radar.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 N SeekonkBristol, MAVideo of several large trees downed at Seekonk High School. Time estimated from radar.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Wnw AttleboroughBristol, MASeveral trees and wires downed on a couple of streets. Thacher street at Black Oak Drive and Newport Ave near Roy Ave. Time estimated from radar.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Wnw AttleboroughBristol, MASeveral trees and wires downed on a couple of streets. Thacher street at Black Oak Drive and Newport Ave near Roy Ave. Time estimated from radar.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMGRehobothBristol, MACaller reported the tops off about 10-12 mature hardwood trees on their property about 40 ft up in the air along Providence Street. Time estimated from caller and radar.
03:25 UTCTSTM WND DMGRehobothBristol, MACaller reported the tops off about 10-12 mature hardwood trees on their property about 40 ft up in the air along Providence Street. Time estimated from caller and radar.
03:29 UTCTORNADORehobothBristol, MANWS storm survey determined an EF-1 tornado with maximum speeds around Steber Way. A number of large hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted. Otherwise, there was no significant damage to homes.
03:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Nne AttleboroughBristol, MAMultiple trees downed across town of Attleboro. Tree downed on home on Newport Ave. Time estimated from radar.
03:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Nne AttleboroughBristol, MAMultiple trees downed across town of Attleboro. Tree downed on home on Newport Ave. Time estimated from radar.
03:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Sse RehobothBristol, MATree downed blocking road on Greenwood Drive. Time estimated from radar.
03:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Sse RehobothBristol, MATree downed blocking road on Greenwood Drive. Time estimated from radar.
03:31 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Ene RehobothBristol, MATwo trees downed blocking one lane on Locust Avenue. Time estimated from radar.
03:31 UTCTSTM WND DMG1 Ene RehobothBristol, MATwo trees downed blocking one lane on Locust Avenue. Time estimated from radar.
03:35 UTCTSTM WND DMGBerkleyBristol, MACaller living along Taunton River reported tree branches and a tree down. Said it felt like the house was shaking, described a wall of water when the storm moved through. Time estimated from radar.
03:41 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Wnw RaynhamBristol, MASeveral trees downed across town of Raynham. Northern portion of town most impacted. Did have a tree land on a home on Prospect Hill Street, but their were no injuries. Also had several trees downed on Broadway (Route 13
03:41 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Wnw RaynhamBristol, MASeveral trees downed across town of Raynham. Northern portion of town most impacted. Did have a tree land on a home on Prospect Hill Street, but their were no injuries. Also had several trees downed on Broadway (Route 13
03:48 UTCTSTM WND DMGBridgewaterPlymouth, MALot of trees and wires down across town. Time estimated from radar.
03:48 UTCTSTM WND DMGBridgewaterPlymouth, MALot of trees and wires down across town. Time estimated from radar.
03:54 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 E HalifaxPlymouth, MAPhoto of several trees downed on Route 58 in Halifax, MA. Time estimated from radar.
03:54 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 E HalifaxPlymouth, MAPhoto of several trees downed on Route 58 in Halifax, MA. Time estimated from radar.
03:55 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 S HansonPlymouth, MATrees and wires downed near Woodbine Ave and Cushman Street. Time estimated from radar.
03:55 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 S HansonPlymouth, MATrees and wires downed near Woodbine Ave and Cushman Street. Time estimated from radar.
04:00 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Nw KingstonPlymouth, MATrees and wires downed. Time estimated from radar.
04:00 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Nw KingstonPlymouth, MATrees and wires downed. Time estimated from radar.
04:00 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Se PembrokePlymouth, MASeveral trees downed in town of Pembroke. One fell into a home. No injuries reported. Time estimated from radar.
04:00 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Se PembrokePlymouth, MASeveral trees downed in town of Pembroke. One fell into a home. No injuries reported. Time estimated from radar.
04:05 UTCTSTM WND DMGDuxburyPlymouth, MACorrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from Duxbury. Large tree downed on Harrison St and Winter Street. Time estimated from radar.
04:05 UTCTSTM WND DMGDuxburyPlymouth, MACorrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from Duxbury. Large tree downed on Harrison St and Winter Street. Time estimated from radar.
04:05 UTCTSTM WND DMGDuxburyPlymouth, MALarge tree downed on Harrison St. Time estimated from radar.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2024 tornado in MassachusettsEvery tornado in Massachusetts since 1950Warnings in force in Massachusetts nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of June 26, 2024

8 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
June 265:12 PM MDTUnratedChaves, NM0.920
June 265:21 PM MDTEF0Chaves, NM1.920$10,000
June 267:26 PM EDTEF1Washington, PA6.8100$55,000
June 267:57 PM EDTEF1Allegheny, PA11.5300$1.5 million
June 268:06 PM EDTEF2Westmoreland, PA10.8200
June 268:27 PM EDTEF0Greene, PA0.365$50,000
June 268:30 PM EDTEF0Indiana, PA0.330$50,000
June 2610:23 PM CDTEF1Providence, RI to MA8.6100$60,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.