Satellite imagery released by the USGS and NASA (below) shows the scar the EF3 tornado left on the earth as it ripped a path 39 miles long. The image taken by Landsat shows the path of the half-mile wide tornado as it cut through Sturbridge and beyond.
The twister first touched down near Westfield and then moved into Springfield after crossing the Connecticut River. Both areas saw extensive damage to buildings and homes as the twister moved through.
As it moved east the tornado debarked trees and struck the town of Monson where extensive damage was seen. It eventually hit Brimfield Sate Forest and then the Southbridge Airport.
When it was done, four people were killed and 200 injured. Latest estimates put the damage cost at $90 million making it the most costly natural disaster in the state’s history.
Two smaller, EF1 rated tornadoes also struck nearby on the same day. One caused a damage path 3.6 miles long and the other 1.3 miles long.
Image taken by the Landsat satellite on June 5, 2011 showing the damage path from an EF3 tornado that struck Massachusetts on June 1, 2011. Click the image for a larger version. (USGS / NASA)
June is historically Denver’s severe weather month and severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail are notorious visitors to Denver and across eastern Colorado during the month.
In fact, over 40 percent of the tornadoes that occur in Colorado are observed in June and these are typically the most destructive of the year. Thornton of course knows this fact well as this year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the infamous Thornton tornado of June 3, 1981.
Severe thunderstorms have also caused major property damage across the Front Range during the month. Just last year hail the size of golf balls caused damage across parts of central and northeastern Thornton.
It is Colorado’s severe weather season and Thornton received a reminder of that Thursday night. The late afternoon brought various watches and warnings and soon hail as large as ping-pong balls was falling.
What started as a light rain with ominous clouds overhead soon turned to hail that pounded central Thornton near 120th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Mercifully, the hail never got any bigger than ping-pong ball sized however that is plenty big enough to have caused damage. Residents should check their vehicles and other property closely for damage.
Following the hail, in a short 20 minute span, the area was inundated with 1/4 inch of rain coming down in sheets. A rainbow soon appeared to the east signifying this round of severe weather was over.
Check out the slideshow below for some of the images from the short-lived but potentially damaging storm.
June typically brings severe weather to Thornton and the Denver area.
June is historically Denver’s severe weather month and severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail are notorious visitors to Denver and across eastern Colorado during the month. In fact, over 40 percent of the tornadoes that occur in Colorado are observed in June and these are typically the most destructive of the year. Severe thunderstorms have also caused major property damage across the Front Range during the month.
In just the last 25 years or so, there have been some particularly notable storms in June. Tornadoes have struck the metro area including one that longtime Thornton residents will recall on June 3, 1981. 53 residents were injured, 25 homes were destroyed and 239 other structures were damaged. Others tornadoes in the metro area include southeast Denver and Aurora on June 8, 1986 and east Denver on June 13, 1984. Severe thunderstorms occurring on June 13, 1984 dumped large hail making it one of the worst and the second costliest storm in Denver history. More recently, on June 20, 2001, a major hail storm moved across Denver International Airport dropping hailstones as big as two inches in diameter. Damage was extensive on and near the airport.
Now this is just about perfect! The forecast shows just about ideal weather if maybe a touch warm. Friday we will have a high temperature of 82 under clear skies. Saturday will be the warmest day of the weekend hitting near 90, again under clear skies. Sunday follows up with a high of 85 with a few clouds around.
The first part to the middle of next week could see a slight change as a series of cold fronts moves across eastern Colorado. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms could be a possibility.
Get outside and enjoy this weather!
Weather, natural disasters & climate news and information.
June is historically Denver’s severe weather month and severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail are notorious visitors to Denver and across eastern Colorado during the month.
Now this is just about perfect! The forecast shows just about ideal weather if maybe a touch warm. Friday we will have a high temperature of 82 under clear skies. Saturday will be the warmest day of the weekend hitting near 90, again under clear skies. Sunday follows up with a high of 85 with a few clouds around.