News Summary
A severe nor’easter overwhelmed southern New England with torrential rains, causing disruptions and record-breaking rainfall in Boston and surrounding areas. Central Massachusetts saw 2 to 2.5 inches, while Boston hit 3.44 inches, making it the 17th rainiest day in 50 years. Coastal communities faced severe wind gusts, while travel disruptions and power outages occurred throughout the region. Flood warnings issued, with significant rainfall recorded across multiple towns, highlighting the impact of spring storms on daily life.
Boston – A severe nor’easter unleashed torrential rain across southern New England on Thursday, breaking records and causing disruptions throughout the region. Central Massachusetts witnessed rainfall amounts between 2 to 2.5 inches, while the Boston area experienced 3 to 3.5 inches. The South Shore, Cape Cod, and the Islands were particularly hard hit, receiving between 4 to 6 inches of rain.
Boston’s total rainfall on Thursday reached 3.44 inches, with a significant 3.11 inches falling alone on that day. This amount not only set a new daily record for the city but also ranks as the 17th rainiest day in the past 50 years, and among the top 50 all-time records recorded since 1872, tying a previous record from 1947 for the 45th spot. In Wareham, MA, nearly 6 inches of rain was recorded, marking a rare 1-in-20 to 25-year event in that area. More severe conditions shifted to the South Shore, where certain locations experienced over 5 inches, indicating a 1-in-10-year rainfall event.
The storm system also prompted a Wind Advisory for coastal communities, with wind gusts reported to reach between 45 to 50 mph. Severe gusts were as high as 60 to 65 mph in places such as Plymouth and Nantucket. A Coastal Flood Advisory was issued in response to the dangerous tides around 8 p.m. in Boston Harbor. Reports of minor flooding came in from several coastal towns, with notable issues documented in Falmouth and Woods Hole. In addition, the Kingston-Duxbury-Marshfield area recorded around 7 inches of rainfall.
A flood warning has been issued for the Pawtuxet River in Rhode Island, where the river is anticipated to crest at 10 feet, leading to minor flooding concerns. In the wake of the rain and wind, uprooted trees have been reported across Eastern Massachusetts due to the saturated ground and high gusts.
Additionally, the weather conditions brought unexpected snowfall in higher peaks of Northern New England, with Mount Washington Observatory recording approximately 4.1 inches of snow at its summit.
Heavy rainfall has disrupted travel and led to power outages in various areas, forcing road closures due to flooding. The weather forecast predicts that scattered showers will continue into Friday morning, with temperatures hovering in the upper 40s to near 50 degrees.
The storm’s effects are expected to gradually clear over the weekend, with high temperatures projected to reach the low 60s by Saturday evening and the upper 60s by Memorial Day. As conditions improve, residents are hopeful for a return to more stable weather.
This exceptional nor’easter serves as a reminder of the potential for significant weather events during late spring, showcasing the impact of such storms on daily life and infrastructure in southern New England.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Nor’easter Causes Flooding and Disruption in Massachusetts
Nor’easter Disrupts MBTA Orange Line Service in Boston
Boston Prepares for Cooler Weather and Nor’easter Ahead of Memorial Day
Additional Resources
- WCVB: Rain Totals May 22 Nor’easter
- Wikipedia: Nor’easter
- NBC Boston: Nor’easter Boston Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- Boston 25 News: Town by Town Reports
- Google Search: Noreaster Boston May 2023
- Boston Globe: Boston New England Forecast
- CBS News: Boston Weather Nor’easter
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
