Sticky air, blazing sun and some spin in the atmosphere: perfect recipe for severe weather this afternoon.
Sure enough, thunder erupted along outer Rt. 2 and raced eastbound. All along the route, the storm cloud exhibited some signs of rotation/spin. From Fitchburg to Revere, funnel clouds were occasionally spotted. From 4pm to 6:15 it was essentially touch and go until the storm cleared the coast off Nahant.
From Leominster via @MattG_Moore
From Acton via @AFowler_BEMA
From Revere Beach via @carlom79
Round two was right behind, but since the atmosphere was “worked over” by the first storm, it was weaker and didn’t show strong signals for a tornado. A good downpour, and it was over.
More storms may pop overnight, but they should “just” be lightning/thunder/rain producers into the wee hours. Humidity stays high and the air will be mainly still. Tough sleeping without A/C.
Tomorrow we’ll make a run for 90 or better as the air sizzles under a hot sun again. Storms may form again in the afternoon and we’ll keep our eyes peeled for severe weather. Certainly the heat and humidity will be accounted for, it’s just a matter of getting a storm going. Storm threat continues through the first part of Wednesday – up until the cool front slides offshore. If anything gets cranking, it could tip the scales at severe limits, so keep an eye to the sky.
Cooler air finishes the workweek and some of it even extends to (part of) the weekend.
Pete