URGENT UPDATE: Powerful winds ravaged Greater Lowell on November 3, 2023, uprooting trees and downing power lines, leaving thousands without electricity. Emergency crews and National Grid workers mobilized rapidly to address extensive damage reported throughout the region, with alerts flooding emergency broadcasts as conditions worsened.
In the Belvidere neighborhood of Lowell, police closed a section of River Road after a large tree snapped and fell onto power lines. Local resident Williana Aquino returned home to witness the chaos. “When I called my partner, he said he had received National Grid alerts about outages in the area. He didn’t know it was that local,” she explained, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm.
Reports streamed in of downed branches and trees blocking roads across Greater Lowell. A tree collapse shortly before noon on Pawtucket Boulevard forced police to shut down outbound traffic while crews worked to clear the scene. Another tree fell later in the afternoon at the entrance of Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsboro, bringing down power lines and disrupting traffic signals in the area.
Meteorologist Torry Dooley from the National Weather Service described the storm as “a robust wind storm” linked to a potent cold front. The strongest wind gusts recorded reached an astounding 81 mph at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton. Dooley noted that while such winds are rare, they are not unprecedented. “The winds aloft—almost 2,000 feet above our heads—were moving well over 100 mph,” he stated, explaining how the energy transferred to the surface, creating frequent gusts of 40 to 60 mph.
By 5 p.m. Friday, National Grid reported nearly 800 active outages statewide, affecting around 36,500 customers. Thousands in Greater Lowell were among those suffering power interruptions as crews worked tirelessly to restore service. While reports of downed trees and road closures flooded in, Dooley confirmed no significant damage was reported from the storm.
Despite the intensity of the winds, Friday’s temperatures soared into the upper 50s, giving the day an unusual spring-like feel. This mild air, combined with the southward wind direction, amplified the gusts. However, the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory that remains in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday, November 4, with additional gusts of 35 to 45 mph expected overnight.
As the strong winds dissipate, Saturday is predicted to bring calmer conditions and mostly sunny skies. However, a return to winter chill is imminent, with highs dipping into the upper 30s and temperatures falling into the 20s overnight.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops. Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
