Strong Wind — Eastern Hillsborough, New Hampshire

2009-10-31 · Eastern Hillsborough, New Hampshire

Event narrative

A 10 year old boy was killed when a birch tree was blown over by a strong gust of wind. Photos of the tree shown on local news outlets as well as reports in local newspapers indicated that the tree was at least partially rotted.

The closest observations are available eight to nine miles away at either Lawrence Municipal Airport (KLWM), MA and Nashua, Boire Field (KASH), NH. Observations on the hour either side of the accident recorded wind gusts to 43 mph at KLWM and 21 mph at KASH.

Wider weather episode

A cold front moving through Southern New England coupled with a 50 mph low level jet produced strong gradient winds across much of the area. Winds remained below advisory criteria (31 mph sustained or 46 mph gusts) but with some trees still partially to fully leafed, these winds did produce some minor damage.

In Pelham, New Hampshire, this minor damage had unfortunate consequences when a strong gust of wind toppled a weakened birch tree onto a 10 year old trick or treater, killing him.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 196466. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.