MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS STATEMENT
October 31, 2019, 10:00AM
Re: Strong to Damaging Winds Tonight into Friday Morning
Situation
The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a strong to damaging wind event expected for tonight into Friday morning in association with a passing strong cold front.
Strong to damaging winds:
- Timing and Peak Gusts:
o Strongest winds from the southwest will occur between midnight tonight and 6AM Friday from west to east.
o Gusts 40-50 mph in the interior, with 50-60 mph gusts across Rhode Island and eastern MA, including the Cape/Islands.
o Another surge of strong west wind gusts (up to 50 mph) is expected Friday morning, especially over the higher terrain in interior MA.
- Impacts: Some tree damage with scattered power outages. Possible anywhere, greatest potential in the High Wind Warning areas.
- Uncertainty: Strong winds will be present just off the surface, though how much of these winds will translate to the surface is still in question. If temperatures warm to 70 degrees Thursday night, this will increase the probability of getting strong to damaging winds to the surface. Also, a narrow line of heavy showers, possibly accompanied by thunder & co-located with the front, could help focus areas of strong to damaging winds.
Rain:
- Timing: Ongoing periods of showers to continue today. The heaviest rainfall, possibly accompanied by a rumble or two of thunder, will be between midnight and 3AM in western/central MA and northern CT; and 4-6 AM in eastern MA and RI.
- Additional Amounts: 0.25 to 1.5 inches today into the overnight, heaviest interior.
- Impacts: Limited. Isolated poor drainage flooding possible from leaf-clogged storm drains.
- Uncertainty: Areas of thunder could enhance rainfall rates.