High Wind — Western Essex, Massachusetts

2018-03-02 to 2018-03-03 · Western Essex, Massachusetts

Event narrative

At 12:31 PM EST the Automated Surface Observing System platform at Lawrence Airport reported a wind gust to 59 mph. At 5:10 AM EST a tree was blocking Maple Street in Middleton. At 5:30 AM EST a tree was blocking route 125 in North Andover. At 7:26 AM EST a tree was blocking Surry Lane at Coach Lane in Boxford. At 8:10 AM EST a tree was down on Bachelor Street at Middle Street in West Newbury.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure moving out of the Ohio Valley passed south of Southern New England on the 2nd and moved out to sea on the 3rd. This storm brought heavy snow to northwest Massachusetts, heavy rain and strong winds to central and eastern Massachusetts, and coastal flooding to the coastline. Moderate to major coastal flooding took place over three tide cycles due to astronomically high tides and a persistent northeast wind. This built a storm surge of two to four feet along the Massachusetts East Coast.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 742381. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.