Record high temperatures in the 32-34°C range were noted in parts of southern and central New England on 17 April 2002. Late that afternoon a marine surge of cold air chilled by the 5°C surface waters in the Gulf of Maine pushed onshore across eastern New England. The resulting strong coastal front passage featured vector wind shifts in excess of 40 kt and temperature decreases of 15-20°C with most of the temperature decrease occurring in less than one hour.

The evolution of this marine surge event will be described from a synoptic and mesoscale perspective. The forecastability of the event will also be discussed on the basis of the performance of the operational model and statistical-dynamical guidance.