In an unusual weather event for the month of May, a nor’easter made its presence felt in New England and began to pull away on Friday after leaving behind a drenched region and setting some cold temperature records.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island were particularly affected, experiencing several inches of rainfall. The town of Kingston, Massachusetts, witnessed a remarkable 7.13 inches (18.1 centimeters) of rain over a 24-hour period, a statistic confirmed by the National Weather Service.
Cape Cod faced its fair share of challenges, as motorists found themselves stranded in floodwaters and some streets became impassable due to fallen trees. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported amidst the chaos.
Snowfall was reported at higher altitudes, with Mount Washington in New Hampshire recording 4 inches (10.1 centimeters) of snow on Friday morning.
On an online platform, Sugarloaf Mountain commented, “Would it really be May in Maine without a little rain — and even a touch of snow — for Memorial Day Weekend?” They announced a delay for their golf club’s opening day, rescheduling it from Friday to Sunday.
The region experienced temperatures significantly lower than the seasonal average on Thursday, with temperatures plummeting about 20 degrees below what is typical.
Two cities, Concord, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine, saw their coldest high temperatures for the date. Concord recorded a high of 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8.3 degrees Celsius), breaking the existing record of 51 degrees set back in 1939. Similarly, Portland reached only 49 degrees (9.4 degrees Celsius), surpassing the 50-degree mark established back in 2011.
Even on Friday, some disruptions lingered. Commuters in Massachusetts faced transportation issues as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority had to suspend its Lynn commuter ferry services due to turbulent seas.
A nor’easter typically graces the East Coast with its presence during the late fall and winter. Named for the northeastern winds they bring to coastal areas, these storms often result in high winds, tumultuous seas, and precipitation in the form of rain or snow. Such storms are infrequent in May, making this event noteworthy.
Home Rare May Nor'easter Hits New England with Wet, White Weather