Significant Weather Weekly Outlook
After a cool start to the week, warmer and more humid weather is in store as this week progresses. There will be a risk for afternoon/early evening thunderstorms mid to late in the workweek and possibly into the weekend as the air mass becomes more moist and unstable. Progressive packets of upper-level energy and weakening surface cold fronts will attempt to break through a large upper-level ridge of high pressure over the Northeast and may eventually flatten the ridge. These “short wave” troughs containing lower pressure and wind maxima may provide a focus for convective initiation if that triggering uplift coincides with daytime heating. The timing of these traveling waves of rather modest upper-level energy and any weak surface fronts is difficult to forecast more than 2 or 3 days out.
Some portions of southern New England may experience strong to severe afternoon/early evening thunderstorms after Wednesday if some large-scale uplift occurs in a sufficiently moist, unstable air mass with enough wind shear (typically greater than 30 knots between the surface and around 6 km) for storm organization. Will monitor the weather pattern this week and issue a weather blog if it looks like enough ingredients may come together for a risk of severe thunderstorms. For anyone with outdoor plans, monitor the latest forecasts and any statements or warnings from the National Weather Service, which monitors weather developments on a 24/7 basis. And remember the preparedness slogan: “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
Historical Note
Seventy-three years ago this Tuesday on June 9, 1953, the Worcester Tornado laid a path of destruction across central Massachusetts and resulted in 94 lives lost. At its strongest, this tornado was rated a strong F4 on the 0 to 5 Fujita Scale (tornadoes are now rated on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which incorporates more precise engineering analysis of damage). The tornado was first observed in Petersham (near the eastern shore of the Quabbin Reservoir) and passed through Barre, Rutland, Holden, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and Southborough. John Conover at the Blue Hill Observatory witnessed debris falling from the parent supercell thunderstorm as it passed overhead and gave the Boston Weather Bureau a first heads up that a tornado likely occurred.
Next Message
Will monitor weather developments over the course of this week and issue a weather blog if there looks to be a risk for strong to severe thunderstorms a day or two ahead. Otherwise, will plan on the regularly scheduled significant weather weekly outlook next Monday June 15.
About this Blog and Disclaimer
The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary. For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box. For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.
The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author. Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)
The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large. Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences. For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.
Message issued June 8, 2026 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board member
