On July 24th a closed 500 mb low was digging over NY/PA and waves of surface low pressure were riding north along the associated surface front to the west of the forecast area. A strong 50kt low level jet was also riding northward ahead of the front. This resulted in extremely high helicity values across southern and central New Hampshire. A surface dew point boundary was in place across south central New Hampshire with readings in the lower 70s to the east of this boundary and in the mid 60s to the west. Sunshine began breaking out to the east of this boundary by mid morning and convection began developing by late morning. Storms grew rapidly and quickly began rotating. A tornado rated as strong as F2 cut a 50 mile path through 5 counties in southeast New Hampshire resulting in 1 fatality and damage to over 100 structures some of which were completely destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 11:30:00 to 24-JUL-08 11:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: OSSIPEE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A severe thunderstorm downed trees near Ossipee.

Funnel Cloud in ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 10:45:00 to 24-JUL-08 10:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: ATKINSON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A possible funnel clouds was reported in Atkinson.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 10:35:00 to 24-JUL-08 10:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: CANDIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A severe thunderstorm downed large branches in Candia.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 10:38:00 to 24-JUL-08 10:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTHWOOD NARROWS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A severe thunderstorm downed trees near Epsom.

Flood in ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 20:49:00 to 24-JUL-08 22:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAMPTON ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorms producing heavy rain in the Hampton area resulted in flooding of several small streams.

Tornado in MERRIMACK, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 10:43:00 to 24-JUL-08 10:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: EPSOM
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 153.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An E-F2 tornado moving north northeast out of Rockingham County crossed into Merrimack County near Route 202 and continued north northeast a little over 5 miles before entering Belknap County. Homes and buildins in the tornadoes path sustained damage along the path which was up to a half mile wide.

Tornado in BELKNAP, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 10:46:00 to 24-JUL-08 11:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BARNSTEAD
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 561.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An E-F2 tornado moving north northeast out of Rockingham County entered Belknap County about 2 miles southwest of South Barnstead near Province Road. The storm travaled almost 12 miles before crossing into Strafford County resulting in E-F0 to E-F2 damage. There were numerous houses and buildings that were damaged or destroyed by the tornado or by falling trees. In addition, there were thousands of downed trees and numerous power lines down along the path of the storm.

Tornado in CARROLL, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 11:17:00 to 24-JUL-08 11:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH WOLFEBORO
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 347.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An E-F2 tornado moving out of Strafford County crossed into Carroll 2.9 miles east of South Wolfboro and continued to skip north northeast for almost 20 miles through the town of Freedom. F0 to F2 damage occurred along the path of the storm and many thousands of trees were blown down. Cars, homes and other structures were also damaged.

Tornado in STRAFFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 11:05:00 to 24-JUL-08 11:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW DURHAM
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 126.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An E-F1 tornado, moving north northeast out of Belknap County, entered Strafford County approximately 2.2 miles north northwest of New Durham. The storm skipped along for more than 8 miles before exiting into Carroll County. The intensity of the tornado varied between F0 and F2, and numerous trees were blown down along the path of the storm.

Tornado in ROCKINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 24-JUL-08 10:30:00 to 24-JUL-08 10:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEAVITTS HILL
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 840.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An E-F2 tornado touched down about 5 miles southwest of Northwood Narrows and moved north northeast for a little over 5 miles before crossing into Merrimack County. Numerous trees were downed and many homes were damaged or destroyed.  A woman was killed when the house she was in collapsed.