Stoughton Junction, MA EF0 Tornado of May 9, 2013

Figure 1 depicts the surface observations at 5:00 pm EDT, which shows a trough of low pressure extending from a low pressure in western Massachusetts. This trough was likely responsible for thunderstorm initiation, which ultimately led to this tornado.

**Figure 1.** Surface analysis at 21Z on May 9, 2013 showing mean sea-level pressure (MSLP) contours, surface observations, fronts and pressure centres (WPC, 2017)

The Stoughton Junction, MA EF0 tornado of May 9, 2013 impacted Norfolk County in Massachusetts. According to NOAA (2020), the EF0 tornado caused no fatalities or injuries, but caused $30 thousand dollars in property damage. The tornado touched down near Washington Street at 4:31 pm EDT. The tornado travelled for 0.38 miles and had a maximum width of 50 yards.

Sources

NWS Weather Prediction Center Surface Analysis Archive. (2017). Surface analysis 21Z Thu May 9 2013. Retrieved from: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/archives/web_pages/sfc/sfc_archive.php

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (2020). Storm Events Database. Retrieved from: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/

National Centers for Environmental Information reports:

A tornado touched down at a car dealership on Route 138 in Stoughton where it was captured by a security camera and recorded on several employees cell phone cameras. Three RV trailers, weighing about 5000 pounds each, were pushed back about 6 feet against a chain link fence. One trailer was lifted about 15 feet into a light pole but landed on its wheels with minimal damage. An aluminum door about 20 feet high and 15 feet wide was blown out of the service garage. Eyewitnesses reported ceiling tiles being lifted inside the dealership as the tornado passed overhead. The tornado entered a wooded area just to the northeast of the dealership. Roughly one quarter of a mile away on Erica Drive and Dean Road, two large pine trees were downed before the tornado dissipated.

Sources

National Centers for Environmental Information reports:

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