Top weather stories of 2008

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - 2008 started on a quiet note. Light snow fell across parts of the area on January 1. More snow followed a couple weeks later with four to ten inches of snow.

The rest of the winter didn't feature much more snow. Instead, we got walloped with rain. In fact, February was the second wettest February on record. March followed with more heavy rainfall. The two months combined gave us more than a foot of rain.

As the flowers bloomed in April and May, the weather was pretty quiet. But the rest of the year was anything but quiet here in Southern New England.

On June 24th, a severe thunderstorm ripped through Rhode Island, dumping heavy rain and hail over the state. Streets in Pawtucket became icy rivers. There were reports of hail four inches deep.

In late July, one of the worst thunderstorms in the area's history moved through Southern New England. This storm produced a waterspout on the Bay and a tornado in Warren and Swansea. The Pinpoint Weather Team tracked it live and in 3-D using its advanced weather technology.

August featured two waterspouts: one near Prudence Island; the second in Dartmouth. The storm which created the Dartmouth waterspout also created tremendous flooding in New Bedford. Another dangerous storm moved from Acushnet to Mattapoisett, bringing damaging winds and hail and there were reports of funnel clouds.

According to Eyewitness News Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo, much warmer than normal bay and ocean waters coupled with cooler than normal air above us helped contribute to the crazy weather during the Summer months.

September featured a visit from the tropics in Tropical Storm Hannah. She brought gusty winds and nearly four inches of rain.

Tornado Watches are rare in our area, but one in November is unheard of. No twisters developed, but the weather system responsible for the watch brought flooding and strong winds.

In December there were two storms to remember. A rain and wind storm caused street and river flooding and numerous power outages. Then on December 19, a snow storm brought seven to 14 inches of snow with strong winds.