Severe Thunderstorm Watch #515

[CanisLupusArctos]

We in New England are now experiencing the most summer-like airmass in a year. Meanwhile, the Canadian cold is trying to come back. This is causing a battle of the seasons today. The atmosphere is unstable enough that thunderstorms were able to form overnight. Around 7:00 this morning 1-inch diameter hail was reported at Wells, Maine.

The National Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma City has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch #515 for all of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine except the southernmost counties of VT and NH and the coastal counties of Maine. The watch is in effect until 7:00 pm.

A watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms. 'Severe' means hail and/or wind that are capable of damage.

A great deal of water could come out of today's thunderstorms whether they are severe or not. This may lead to flash flooding and perhaps road washouts.

Wind damage may occur in non-severe thunderstorms today. That is because the ground has become mushy from excessive rain in recent days, and trees may uproot in winds that don't meet severe criteria.

Stay tuned to reliable weather sources for possible warnings if they are issued for your local area. Warnings mean dangerous weather is eminent. Today's warnings will likely include severe thunderstorm warnings and flash flood warnings. A tornado warning is possible over western Massachusetts and Connectucut.