Rare May Nor’easter Drenches New England with Unexpected Rain and Snow

A Storm Like No Other

In what many are calling an unexpected twist of nature, New England states found themselves under the grips of an uncommon May nor’easter. As the storm finally began to pull away from the region on Friday, it left in its wake record-breaking cold temperatures and substantial rainfall. Massachusetts and Rhode Island bore the brunt of the weather’s fury, with Kingston, Massachusetts recording a staggering 7.13 inches of rainfall over a mere 24 hours.

A Wet and Frosty Memorial Day

As stated in Times Colonist, this unusual climatic event has impacted Memorial Day preparations extensively. While rain is not entirely unforeseen during this season, snow certainly is. In higher elevations, notably New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, there was 3.4 inches of snowfall. Many local events, such as the Sugarloaf Mountain’s golf club opening, faced delays in light of the adverse conditions.

Historical Temperatures

Temperatures plummeted to levels rarely seen in May, with some cities, like Concord in New Hampshire and Portland in Maine, experiencing record cold high temperatures. Concord reached a chilly 47 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the old record set in 1939; a testament to the storm’s historic nature.

Not Your Typical Nor’easter

Nor’easters are typically synonymous with the cold months of late fall and winter, bringing powerful winds and heavy precipitation to East Coast regions. However, their presence in May is as rare as it is unwelcome. The current nor’easter starkly reminded us of its potential for weather chaos, irrespective of the season.

Community Response and Preparedness

Despite the severity of the storm, communities across New England showed remarkable resilience and preparedness. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, though the storm did leave drivers stranded in floodwaters in Cape Cod and littered streets with fallen trees. This event underscores the importance of readiness for unexpected weather events, no matter the time of year.

Looking Ahead

With the storm departing, New Englanders are hopeful for a return to warmer, sunnier days. As they prepare to observe Memorial Day weekend under more usual spring conditions, this rare May nor’easter will serve as a memorable chapter in the region’s meteorological history.