National Weather Service Confirms Stoughton Tornado

Article updated at 2:45 p.m. on May 10:

Preliminary storm survey results issued by the National Weather Service on Friday morning indicate that yes, a .

More from the National Weather Service:

The National Weather Service Office in Taunton conducted a storm survey [Friday] morning in Stoughton.

Results of the survey indicate a high end EF0 tornado moved through Stoughton on Washington St. Thursday afternoon approximately 4:33 p.m.

On the enhanced Fujita Scale an EFO tornado has wind speeds that range from 65 to 85 m.p.h.

The tornado had a brief touch down and caused damage at the Bay State Pre-Owned Ford dealership at 1776 Washington St. (Route 138) and brought down a couple of trees - one on Dean Road and one on Erica Drive. Both of these streets are located in a neighborhood located behind the Ford dealership.

The National Weather Service reports there were no injuries. The NWS detailed the extent of the damage in a news release:

Three RV trailers weighing about 5,000 pounds each were pushed back about 6 feet against a chain link fence. One Trailer was lifted about 15 feet into a light pole but landed on its wheels with minimal damage.

An aluminum door about 20 feet high and 15 feet wide was blown out of the service garage. Eyewitnesses reported ceiling tiles being lifted inside the dealership as the tornado passed overhead.

The tornado entered a wooded area just to the northeast of the dealership. About 0.25 miles away two large pine trees were downed on Erica Drive and Dean Road before it dissipated. 

An EF0 tornado, which is what touched down in Stoughton, is the weakest type of tornado, according to the National Weather Service. 

Tornados, like hurricanes, are ranked on a scale, EF0 to EF5, with EF5 being the most the severe (winds in excess of 200 m.p.h.)

This is the first confirmed tornado in Norfolk County since one in Wrentham back in August of 2004, according to the National Weather Service.

The Stoughton tornado "formed in an environment that was conducive to producing what are known as cold air funnels," the National Weather service explains.

"These are common when there is a combination of a low pressure system and unseasonably cold air aloft," the NWS continues. "The majority of these do not touch down. In fact there was a report of a funnel cloud in North Smithfield, Rhode Island yesterday as well."

But the NWS notes, "a few touch down and typically produce very localized minor damage," which appears to be the case here in Stoughton. 

Read more about the tornado in Stoughton by clicking here.