Severe thunderstorm watch ongoing in Mass., tornado reportedly spotted in NH
Massachusetts and New Hampshire residents were forced to brace for severe weather Thursday as strong storms that triggered a tornado warning in southern New Hampshire fired up across the region.
In Massachusetts, parts of Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 7:30 p.m.
Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk County were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 7:00 p.m. That warning was allowed to expire.
Bristol County remains under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8:00 p.m.
Winds of up to 60 miles per hour and hail the size of pennies were possible, according to the National Weather Service.
“Get indoors when you hear thunder!,” the NWS advised on Twitter.
A SEVERE STORM WARNING has been extended east and includes portions of the BOSTON METRO and South Shore.
Wind gusts up to 60 MPH and small hail can be expected as this storm moves through. Take cover indoors! pic.twitter.com/vNUniDDaXc— Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) July 27, 2023
A tornado warning was issued for parts of New Hampshire’s Cheshire and Hillsborough counties earlier Thursday afternoon. The Boston 25 Weather team confirmed a tornado sighting in the area of Keene and Roxbury, New Hampshire, around 2:45 p.m.
That warning expired at 3:15 p.m.
In Hillsborough County and Rockingham County, the tornado warning was swapped for a severe thunderstorm warning that first expired at 4:00 p.m. before being extended to 4:30 p.m. Those warnings were allowed to expire.
Keene City Manager Elizabeth A. Dragon told Boston 25 that the storm blew in without warning with heavy downpours and fierce wind gusts before pushing out in the blink of an eye.
There were reports of multiple trees and wires down stretching from just south of Keene through Dublin.
Dublin police advised drivers to say away from the west side of Lake Road because of the trees knocked down by the severe weather.
The National Weather Service says a team will travel to Dublin Friday morning to survey the area and determine the extent of the damage.
The rain is coming down in buckets in the Seaport in #Boston @boston25 @KevinBoston25 pic.twitter.com/JOA2MXCUpA
— Ray Villeda (@RayVilleda) July 27, 2023
Weather Alert: Extreme heat, high humidity, severe storms
In a special weather statement, the NWS said, “Severe thunderstorms, with damaging wind and large hail, are possible across southern New England this afternoon and evening. The main threat will be between 2 PM and 10 PM. In addition, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Heavy downpours may cause localized flooding.”
Tornado, severe thunderstorm tips: Watch vs. Warning, 10 other things to know to stay safe
There were also flash flood watches posted for Berkshire, Middlesex, Franklin, Hampden, Worcester, Essex, Hampshire, Bristol, Plymouth, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties.
A heat advisory is also in effect for much of the state from 11 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Saturday.
Heat index values of 95 to 100 are expected in Middlesex, Hampden, Hampshire, Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester, Suffolk, Berkshire, Essex, and Franklin counties.
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