Hail — Hampden, Massachusetts

2013-08-04 · near West Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts

Event narrative

Quarter to half dollar size hail fell on Main Street, accumulating up to two inches in spots. A car on Fairview Avenue was damaged with numerous hail dents. There were also several reports of nickel size hail in the area of Riverdale Road. About 500 cars at the Balise family of car dealerships were damaged. Damage ranged from minimal to extensive. Further damage was found two weeks later, when heavy rain fell through small holes in the roof of Chestnut Middle School, resulting in water damage.

Wider weather episode

An upper level disturbance moved across southern New England igniting showers and thunderstorms. A cold pool aloft allowed for steep mid level lapse rates as well as temperatures cold enough for large hail. Storms were isolated but produced damaging winds in northern Connecticut and up to half dollar size hail in southwestern Massachusetts.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (42.1200, -72.6500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 461219. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.