Severe TStorm Watch #505, July 23 2012

[CanisLupusArctos]

The NOAA/Storm Prediction Center has issued severe thunderstorm watch #505 for the lakes region and northern NH, along with western Maine, until 3:00 a.m. These overnight gigs are rare in New England because storms here usually need the sunlight to keep the atmosphere unstable. Overnight severe weather threats are also more dangerous for the same reason overnight fires are more dangerous than in the day -- people sleep.

Currently lightning detection imagery shows two entire counties in northwestern Vermont completely covered in lightning strikes -- more lightning coverage than I've seen in New England in a long time. Whether or not that holds together before it gets here is anyone's guess. Even if it decreased a bit, it would still be a lot of lightning.

For a thunderstorm to be severe, it needs to have wind and/or hail capable of causing damage. Most thunderstorms have heavy rain and may create flash flooding without being 'severe.' All thunderstorms have lightning.