2024
OCTOBER 29 (MASSACHUSETTS) - Smoke from wild fires in Middleton and Salem is seem forming low to the ground haze throughout the North Shore and the MetroWest.
OCTOBER - Meterologists believed (though it did not happen) that Hurrican Milton might become the first hurricane in history to reach fabled Category 6.
FEBRUARY 2 (PUNXATAWNEY) - The groundhog did not see his shadow, meaning it will be an early spring.
JANUARY 22 (MT. WASHINGTON, NH) - a rare lenticular cloud - the type that resembles UFOS - formed over Mt. Washington. This cloud had seven layers to it. Check out the picture at https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2024/01/22/mount-washington-observatory-shares-photo-of-unique-cloud-formation/
2023
NOVEMBER 16 (MASSACHUSETT) - The first snowfall of the year occurred in western Massachusetts in the morning. Ashburnham had 0.8 inches of snow at 5:30 AM.
SEPTEMBER 17 (NEW ENGLAND) - Hurricane Lee passes to the far east of Cape Cod as a category 1 hurricane before stalling out. Although winds were high at times, rain was kept to a minimum. Surfers reported solid waves for surfing; however, there were rip current conditions.
SEPTEMBER 2 (NATICK) - It is with great sadness that the KWS reports that the original founder of the Kennedy Weather Service, Richard Whalen, has passed away. He was a legend in the Natick Community, an amazing teacher, in the inspiration of many students who went on to study meteorology. Mr. Forest, who had Mr. Whalen, will greatly miss this amazing teacher, colleague, and friend.
2022
SEPTEMBER 22 (NATICK) - On the first day of fall, a lightning strike struck near the back of Kennedy Middle School. It was in the woods just beyond Mr. Forest's room, though the strike pass right by the window (an off shoot may have come off near his room on the 4th floor).
SEPTEMBER 18: (PUERTO RICO) - Hurricane Fiona, the first major hurricane of the season, strikes Puerto Rico. It left widescale flooding in its wake and power outages that lasted for days. The storm strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane once it left the island nation.
APRIL 9 (MASSACHUSETTS) - A larger than usual hail storm hits Massachusetts. It dropped marble size hail at Kennedy Middle School according to Mr. Bastien, our custodian, who was live at the scene. KWS advisor Mr. Forest had to pull off the road in Danvers because the pea size hail was falling there).
MARCH 16 (WELLESLEY MA,) - Mish Michaels, former WBZ and Weather Channel weather forecaster, passes away at age 53. She was an amazing meteorologist and fan of the KWS. Thanks for the memories. We will miss you.
FEBRUARY 2 (PUNXATAWNEY, PA) - Phil, the groundhog, sees is shadow for the 104 known time, indicating there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
2021
FEBRUARY 16: (US) - more than 70 percent of the country has snow cover at this date. This is the first time so much of the country has had this much snow cover since 2011
FEBRUARY 16-19 (TEXAS) - ice storms in Texas cause a catastrophic loss of power, frozen pipes, and need to boil water. Sadly, lives as lost because of exposure to hypothermia.
FEBRUARY 2 (PUNXATAWNEY, PA) - Phil, the groundhog, sees is shadow for the 103 known time, indicating there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
2020
DECEMBER 1: (US) - Boston, at a current temperature of 62°F at 8:00 AM, is actually warmer than Miami, with a current temperature of 59·F at 8:00 AM
NOVEMBER 17: (ATLANTIC OCEAN) Hurricane Iota reached Category 5 status, because the latest hurricane ever to reach that status. It also continues to set the record for most named storms.
NOVEMBER 4: (ATLANTIC OCEAN) Hurricane Eta formed in the Atlantic, becoming the record-tying storm. This stormed tied 2005 as the hurricane season with the most storms (28) and marked the second time Eta from the Greek alphabet had to be used (the other being 2005).
OCTOBER 30 (MASSACHUSETTS) The remnants of Hurricane Zeta arrived in Massachusetts bringing with it a rare blast of October snow. Natick recorded 6 inches.
SEPTEMBER 21 (GULF OF MEXICO): We have had so many tropical storms that we actually have had to drop down into using Greek names for the storms. The September Beta Storm is on path to strike in the Gulf of Mexico region.
SEPTEMBER 14-18 (US) Wildfires in the western part of the country have caused a haze that can be seen throughout much of the eastern seaboard, including Massachusetts.
2019
October 31 (Massachusetts). With 20th day of rain, we tied a record with most days of rain in October (see April of this year, which was also another record setting month in 2019. We had 7.98 total inches of rain.
May 12 (Massachusetts) - several inches of snow fell in Massachusetts on Mother's Day. It is the first Mother's Day snowfall in the region since the freak snowstorm on 1977.
April 30 (Massachusetts) - today is the 23 day with rain. We have broken the state record for most days in April with rain (it had been 21). So far, we have 8.94 inches of rain as of April 20 at 8:52 AM.
February 27 (United States) - tailwinds are reported to be stronger than normal for flights because of a strong Jet Stream. Trips from LA to Boston arrived 48 minutes earlier than normal. One plane traveled at 800 mph, up from the standard 530 mph.
February 25 (New Hampshire) - a strong low created wind damage throughout New England and sustained winds on top of Mt. Washington at 119 mph.
2017
January 22( Southern US) - a tornado outbreak struck the US with a powerful storm moving up the coast. More than 18 lives were lost.
2015
October 23 (MEXICO COAST) - Hurricane Patricia was makign landfall near Cuixmala, Mexico. The Category 5 storm had a record 200 mph sustained wind as it hit the coast and it became the hurricane with the lowest recorded barometric pressure ever 25.96".
March 11 (WELFLEET, MA) - Observers along the Cape Cod National Seashore have reported seeing something they have not seen in years. Chunks of floating ice are washing up on shore...an indicator of the cold water temperatures at sea.
February 27 (NEW ENGLAND) - As New England comes to a close, it is reported that the average temperature for the month is anywhere between 10 and 15 degrees below normal. This will set an all time weather record for New England as the coldest month on record in many places.
January 8 (MA) - schools are closed in some parts and others have delayed openings as temperatures are below zero...as are windchills. Natick is -4.4 at 7:30 with a windchill of -19°F.
2014
December 11-12 (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA) - record rains and flooding occurred in California, causing mudslides in the Los Angeles region.
November 19 (BUFFALO, NY) - Parts of Buffalo have received up to 6 feet of lake effect snow as early season cold air moves across the country. Two more feet were expected by Saturday in some parts. The Buffalo Bills are scrambling to hire people to help shovel their stadium for a game on Sunday.
November 18 (US) - yesterday, every single one of the 48 contiguous states reported at least one temperature that went below freezing...a sign of a huge mass of cold air making an early plunge.
Mid October (MASSACHUSETTS) - We have received 5.44 inches of rain from the past Northeaster...a near record.
March 3 (GREAT LAKES) - It has been reported that the Great Lakes are 91 percent frozen. This is the first time so much of the lakes have been frozen this time of year.
March 3 (KANSAS) - Kansas had its coldest high ever for March at 5°F.
February 2 (PUXATAWNEY, PA) - the groundhog saw his shadow...there will be six more weeks of winter.
January 27-28 (Southeastern US) - an unusual, and rare, winter storm was affecting the travel in southern and gulf states. In South Carolina, some schools had a day off because of the snow.
January 21 (Cayuga, NY) - Despite the cold, according to the Weather Channel, a waterspout was spotted above Cayuga Lake, near Ithaca. The temperature was 5°F that morning.
January 7 (Europe) - the large polar vortex that has gripped much of the US also has had an affect on Europe. The storms that have resulted from the vortex have actually brought larger than normal waves to European beaches. Surfers have been seen "catching a wave."
January 2 (USA) - a quick preview of the weather map showed there was more than a 100°F difference between the highest morning temperature and the lowest morning temperature.
2013
November 17 (MIDWEST) The Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens game at Soldier Field was delayed due to severe storms in the region. Some of these storms spawned tornadoes.
February 8-9 (NEW ENGLAND) The Blizzard of 2013 - aka Nemo - dumped more than 2 feet of snow in parts of the region.
February 2 (PUXATAWNEY) - The Groundhog did not see his shadow, which means that spring should be coming early.
January 23 (NEW ENGLAND) - A cold snap moves into the region. The weather is -35 on top of Mount Washington with a wind chill of -83.
January 14 (USA) - The temperature grid on the 48 states shows - at 7:00 AM - a 93 degree fluctatuon between morning temperatures. Florida is showing a 72°F temperature while Colorado is showing a -21°F temperature.
2012
November 7 (NEW ENGLAND) - An early snowstorm hits the area, bringing 3 inches of snow to Natick and up to 8 inches of snow in central and western central New England.
October 29 (NEW ENGLAND) - The greatest area of low pressure recorded in the area happened as part of hurricane Sandy.
October 28-29 (NORTHEAST) - Hurricane Sandy strikes New Jersey, causing widespread flooding and wind damage throughout Northeast. Massachusetts has more than 200,000 power outages.
May 30 (VERMONT) - Rutland, Vermont has local flooding that caused streets.
May 30 (CAROLINA) - one of the regions not as well known for tornadoes - east Carolina - had tornado the past couple of days.
February 2 (PUNXATAWNEY) - Phil, the groundhog, saw his shadow, which means 7 more weeks of winter!
2011
December 1 (MIDWEST AND WEST) - a series of strong windstorms have knocked down power lines, caused sign damage, and blown down trees throughout region, including Utah.
June 9 (USA) - a strong series of storms as well as prolonged heat have stricken most of the USA. The storms have been prevalent in the eastern part of the U.S.
June 1 (MASSACHUSETTS) - a wave of tornadoes strike the region with at least two touching down hitting 19 communities. Other funnel clouds were reported in the sky. This rare event killed 4 people (as of June 2) and caused widespread destruction.
May 22 (MISSOURI) - A large tornado strikes the state, leveling many buildings, and hitting a hospital. As for May 23, at least 89 people were reported dead.
May 17 (NEW ENGLAND) - While had above average April temperatures, May temperatures have been way below normal.
May 16 (TENNESSEE) - President Barack Obama begins touring the Tennessee region in flood damaged areas. Warnings of the rising Mississippi River spread through the river's regions
May 15 (CALIFORNIA) - An unusual late season snow storm forced the postponement of the Tour of California, a well known bicycle race held in the state.
May 15 (LOUISIANA) - Flood waters from the swollen Mississippi River were diverted to other parts of Lousiana - including towns - in an effort to minimize flood damage throughout the state.
April (MICHIGAN) - Weather reports indicate the an unusual spring occurred in Michigan. The temperature rarely got about 50°F. in any part of the state during the month.
April (SOUTHERN US) - a record number of tornadoes swept through the southeastern part of the country. Major damage occurred in Alabama and Georgia.
February 4 (MASSACHUSETTS) - the recent, sudden and large accumulation of snow has caused more than 70 roofs to collapse in and around the region. Buildings owners are being reminded to clear off parts of their roofs when possible.
January 25 (BOSTON) - The city braces for another storm by clearing snow from city snowbanks and shipping it to a "snow farm" by the harbor.
January 11-12 (NEW ENGLAND) - A blizzard strikes southern New England, setting record snowfall totals in Hartford, CT and other regional cities.
2010
June 5-6 (NEW ENGLAND) - A large portion of New England (including Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut) were under tornado watches for two days.
May 31 (NORTHEAST) - A general haze covers much of the northern New England region. The haze is caused by forest fires in Quebec blowing south and filling the region with haze and light smoke.
April 25 - 26 (MIDWEST U.S.) - A swath of tornadoes cuts through the states in the midwest, leaving a path of destruction that, in some cases, is more than 93 miles long.
April (WORLD) - Science News Daily reports that March 2010 was the hottest March on record. Composite temperatures from the world show that the month has set an all time March record for warmth.
March 29-31 (SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND) - March goes out like a lion with another deluge soaking the area. In Rhode Island, the Warwick Mall is surrounded by water. In the Freetown, MA, a bridge is close to washing out. The Charles River in Dover is flooded beyond typical points. One R.I. river is so flooded that climatologists consider it a once in 100 to 500 year occurrence. The observatory at Blue Hills sets a record for most March precipitation and most rainfall ever (slightly over 18 inches) in one month.
March 13 - 15 (BOSTON AREA) - About three months worth of rain fell in the region in three days, causing major flooding throughout the region. Towns like Winchester, Quincy, Andover, Wilmington have rivers passed flood stage (and in some cases, setting flood records). Towns have called off school because of water. In Natick, Oak Street west was closed, and parts of Rt 135 flooded.
March 2 (BOSTON) - Long time weather forecaster Don Kent passed away. The acclaimed meteorologist helped put weather forecasters on the map in Boston...and the maps that he used to draw on are now a part of the Kennedy Weather Service. Thanks for all you did Don!
February 10 (WASHINGTON D.C.) - after a week with two snowstorms, part of the nation's capital has up to six feet of snow.
February 2 (PUNXATAWNEY) - Phil, the groundhog, saw his shadow. This means six more weeks of winter.
January 1 (AUSTRALIA) - Mt. Washington used to hold the record for windiest place in the world with a record 231 mph windspeed recorded there. However, that world record was topped in January 1, 2010, by a record 253 wind recorded during a cyclone that struck Barrow Island, Australia. The record actually occurred in 1995 - during a storm there - but it took until 2010 to verify it. Mt. Washington held the record for about 40 years. A panel verified it in 2010, but the record, which has been subject to debate since 1995 because of wind scale issues, is still up in the air...no pun intended. (AK is correspondent on the story).
2009
December 10 (ANTARCTICA) - a chunk of ice from the iceshelf has dropped off the continent and formed an iceberg the size of Manhattan. Currently, it is heading for Australia.
November 5 (MEXICO) - Hurricane Ida turns to a Tropical Storm and Depression as it nears the Yucatan Peninsula.
October 16 (FOXBOROUGH) - The Patriots go 11-0 in snow games at Foxborough with a 59 - 0 rout of the Tennessee Titans.
October 13 (CALIFORNIA) - A.P. and A.K. correspondents for the KWS news service, report that there was 20 inches of rain in California yesterday.
October 13 (NEW HAMPSHIRE) - New England's first snowfall is recorded in the ski mountain region.
October 1 (MT. WASHINGTON) - an early snowfall was recorded on top of the mountain over night.
May 31 (NEW ENGLAND) - a large front passed through the area, causing tornado warnings in Northern Maine, a rarity at this time of year.
May 25 (METROWEST BOSTON) - A quick thunderstorm passes through the area, dropping large hail form Grafton to Natick. People in the area report that the hail is the largest they have seen before. The storm lasts only a few minutes, striking around 5:30 PM.
May 3 (DALLAS) - A fast moving thunderstorm - some even call it tornado - blew the dome off of the Dallas Cowboy's practice bubble. The collapse caused injury to several players and coaches.
March 26-30 (NORTH DAKOTA) - Rain and blizzards have caused dangerous flooding of the Red River, causing residents to evacuate. Coast guard helicopters also had to institute rescues.
February 2 (PENN) - The groundhog saw his shadow, which means 6 more weeks of winter.
February 1 (NEW ENGLAND) - there was no official January thaw this year.
2008
NOVEMBER 18 (CAPE COD) - ocean effect snow falls on Cape Cod
MAY 31 (MIDWEST U.S.) - a record setting tornado month ends in the U.S. Prior to this month, the highest number of tornadoes reported (not necessarily materialized) was 778, according to the NWS. However, according to the NWS, this month,more than 900 tornadoes were reported. At least eleven states had already gone past their typical number of tornadoes for a year.
MAY 11 (SOUTHEAST U.S.) - A tornado strikes the region, mainly Georgia, causing damage and resulting in the loss of 20 lives.
MAY 5 (MYNMAR) - A cyclone struck the area during this week, causing mass devestation and flooding to the region. The government has been reluctant to allow assistance.
APRIL 28 (VIRGINIA): Tornadoes strike the state, causing widespread damage. Reports of up to 7 tornadoes hitting the area are reported.
APRIL 1 (SOUTH): Tornado roll through the region.
MARCH 25 (ARKANSAS): The White River has swollen from recent rains and is causing flooding throughout Arkansas. It has been compared by some people to a large lake.
MARCH 18 (MIDWEST): The region experiences strong winds and flooding, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma.
FEBRUARY 13 (NORTHEAST): Areas of New England have flooding rains, receiving up to 3 inches in 24 hours.
FEBRUARY 12 (SOUTHEAST): Drought filled region receives a ton of rain.
JANUARY 27 (NORTHEAST): Snow storm strikes the Cape Cod region. Some spots get up to ten inches of snow. Winds make conditions seem like blizzard conditions for a short period of time.
JANUARY 15 (NORTHEAST) A large snow storms hits the northeast, dumping more than a foot of snow in parts of New England.
JANUARY 4-7 (WESTERN U.S.) A series of storms pummels the western coasr, causing flooding in California and Nevada. Six feet of snow fell in parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and with more expected, the total might reach 10 feet.
2007
DECEMBER 10 (MIDWEST U.S.) An ice and snow storm has caused 1 million power outages in the midwest.
DECEMBER 2-3 (NORTHWEST U.S.) Recent flooding causes a state of emergency in Washington and Oregon region.
NOVEMBER 15 (BANGLADESH) - A severe storm brings flooding to the region. This causes mass devastation and more than 300 deaths.
NOVEMBER 1 (ATLANTIC OCEAN) - Tropical Storm Noel turned into a hurricane.
OCTOBER 29 (CARIBBEAN SEA) - Tropical storm Noel has formed and is 40 miles wouth of Haiti. Its maximum wind is 50 mph.
OCTOBER 25 (MASSACHUSETTS) - Three communities in Southern New England report that they may need mandatory water bans because of lack of water conditions.
OCTOBER 18 (FLORIDA) - A tornado ripped through a section of Florida, wreaking havoc on an area mall.
OCTOBER 11 (ATLANTA) - Near record droughts this past year have forced the city to have mandatory water bans. In some spots, water levels may totally disappear within three months if rain does not come soon.