Tornado Confirmed in New Hampshire as Severe Weather Seen Across New England

As expected, a severe weather outbreak has occurred across southern and central New England this afternoon and evening. Storms began developing in the early afternoon across western areas; these storms quickly formed into a line and began tracking eastward, reaching the coast by mid-evening.

An elevated tornado threat was expected across southern New Hampshire and eastern Massachusetts in the early afternoon. Multiple storms were captured rotating across western areas, but only one tornado has been confirmed.

A tornado warning was issued for Cheshire County, New Hampshire, near Keene, at 2:45pm. Just before 3pm, a storm spotter confirmed that a tornado was on the ground in Roxbury, New Hampshire. Just after 3pm, radar began detecting possible debris in the air.

Storm in Keene around the time of the tornado report. Photo credit: Judy Wadleigh

Storm reports from the area after the tornado mentioned numerous trees and branches down, as well as power lines in Keene, Dublin and Marlborough, New Hampshire. The National Weather Service is on site and investigating damage to determine the tornado's strength. They are reportedly investigating "severe" damage at the Dublin School.

Rotation seen in New Hampshire. Photo credit: Matt Hoenig

This occurred at the northern end of the line of severe weather. Large blocks of severe weather were seen across western and Central Massachusetts as well as much of Connecticut. Storm reports from across this area mentioned numerous trees, branches and wires down.

Westfield, Massachusetts was hit hard by straight line wind damage. The town has reported many trees down and roads closed. About 20,000 customers across the region lost power earlier this evening. This number is coming down quickly, however.

Storms did move faster than anticipated, which limited flooding. Despite this, some reports of flooding did come in from across the region. Several reported of flooded roads came in from the Enfield, Connecticut area. A large flash flood warning was issued for portions of the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Lightning struck a pole on a college building in Springfield. This strike is believed to be what started a fire in the building.

The storms pushed all the way across New England, with an intense thunderstorm captured along the New Hampshire seacoast.

By 8:15pm, all severe thunderstorm warnings had expired across the region, though thunderstorms were still working through Rhode Island.