The Squall Line and Massachusetts Tornadoes of June 9, 1953

Some features of the squall line situation of June 9, 1953 and accompanying tornadoes in central and eastern Massachusetts are discussed. From radarscope photographs, it is pointed out (1) that the Worcester tornado and the Franklin-Wrentham tornado each occurred in the right-rear quadrant of a squall-line thunderstorm cell, and (2) that this relative position, with an associated tail or hook in the radar echo, is similar to that of the Illinois tornado of April 9, 1953. A tentative explanation is suggested for tornado formation in this position.