Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena - CIG

MASSACHUSETTS, Central and EastStorm Data and Unusual Weather PhenomenaTimePath PathNumber ofEstimatedLocal/ Length WidthPersonsDamageLocation DateStandard (Miles) (Yards) Killed Injured Property Crops Character of StormMarch 1998traffic tie-ups affected commuters and motorists from Massachusetts on that interstate highway throughout the afternoon. ??VE,M45VEMAZ009Western Hampden14 0600EST1800EST0 0Heavy SnowSnowfall totaled 6.0 inches in Granville. This was an elevation snowfall event, with less snowfall at lower elevations. Numerous,mostly minor, skidding accidents were reported on highways in western Massachusetts.MAZ022Barnstable18191800EST2100EST0 0Heavy RainMore than 2 inches of rain fell in several towns on Cape Cod. Some storm totals included: South Orleans, 2.50"; Chatham andWest Yarmouth, 2.20".MAZ005>007-013>024 Western Middlesex - Western Essex - Eastern Essex - Western Norfolk - Southeast Middlesex - Suffolk -Eastern Norfolk - Northern Bristol - Western Plymouth - Eastern Plymouth - Southern Bristol - SouthernPlymouth - Barnstable - Dukes - Nantucket21220600EST0700EST0 0Strong WindsMAZ016Eastern Norfolk22 0255EST0 0High Wind (G52)MAZ008Western Hampshire22 0700EST0 0Heavy SnowA strong very early Spring nor'easter was caused by a low pressure system which moved to the north-northeast from the Virginiacoast on March 21st, passing to the southeast of Cape Cod on March 22nd. This storm brought a mixture of snow, sleet, and rain,as well as strong northeast winds. The maximum snowfall reported was 6.1 inches in Worthington in Hampshire County in westernMassachusetts. Snowfall totals of 3 to 5 inches occurred elsewhere, except in Plymouth and Bristol Counties, where amounts wereon the order of an inch or two. Cape Cod and the Islands had rain. Strong northeast winds gusting to 40 to 55 mph affected eastand southeast coastal Massachusetts for about 24 hours from the morning of March 21st through the morning of March 22nd. Somepeak wind gusts included: Blue Hill Observatory, Milton, 60 mph; Winthrop, 51 mph; Falmouth, 48 mph; Martha's Vineyard, 46mph; Chatham and Provincetown, 41 mph; and Nantucket, 39 mph. Offshore, the Buzzards Bay buoy reported a peak wind of 55mph. Twenty-foot seas were reported offshore and the high seas frustrated efforts by the Coast Guard to tow a disabled fishingvessel off Provincetown. However, all turned out well as the vessel was able to ride out the high seas.MAZ005>007-013>024 Western Middlesex - Western Essex - Eastern Essex - Western Norfolk - Southeast Middlesex - Suffolk -Eastern Norfolk - Northern Bristol - Western Plymouth - Eastern Plymouth - Southern Bristol - SouthernPlymouth - Barnstable - Dukes - Nantucket26 1000EST1800EST0 0Strong WindsStrong south-southwest winds gusting to 35 to 50 mph occurred from late morning until late afternoon. Some peak wind gustsincluded: Blue Hill Observatory, Milton, 50 mph; Boston and Falmouth, 36 mph.MAZ015>016 Suffolk - Eastern Norfolk27 1528EST1530EST0 0Record WarmthMAZ012-015>016 Southern Worcester - Suffolk - Eastern Norfolk28 1306EST1400EST0 0Record WarmthRecord warmth for the month of March occurred across most of the state. On March 27th, the temperature at Logan InternationalAirport in Boston soared to 79 degrees, breaking the record for the date. The old record was 76 degrees in 1945. At Blue HillObservatory in Milton on the 27th, the high temperature of 78 degrees surpassed the previous record for the date of 76 degrees in1945. At Blue Hill Observatory on March 28th, the temperature soared to 86 degrees, establishing a new high temperature recordfor the month of March. The previous record there was 85 degrees set on March 29, 1945. At Boston on March 28th, the hightemperature reached 85 degrees and the old record was 81 degrees in 1989. At Worcester Airport, on March 28th, the hightemperature of 81 degrees tied the record high reading for the date.MAZ003-010 Eastern Franklin - Eastern Hampshire30310700EST2359EST0 0FloodRecord warm temperatures produced rapid snow melt across northern New England and the combined effects of rapid runoff anddam releases caused the Connecticut River to rise. Flood stage of 112 feet was attained at 7 AM on March 30th in Northamptonand flood stage of 28 feet was reached at 10:30 AM at Montague. The river remained above flood stage into the beginning ofApril.....see April Storm Data for further information. Flood-prone areas outside of levee protection were affected.80 74