Severe thunderstorms can also produce tornadoes. In northern New England, severe thunderstorms are not uncommon during the summer. Every year, the National Weather Service gets numerous reports of wind and hail damage throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
Severe thunderstorm winds down trees and branches onto homes, buildings, vehicles, and power lines.
Scattered power outages are often the result of lightning or wind-fallen trees and branches. On rare occasions, large hailstones damage homes, buildings, and vehicles. In addition to the lightning, falling trees and large hail also pose a significant threat to people, as well. When a downdraft reaches the ground it spreads out causing the cool, gusty wind that often accompanies a thunderstorm. In some thunderstorms, intense downdrafts develop.