Alert archive / New York / Tornado Warnings in 1998
Tornado Warning 20, NWS Albany, NY
NWS Albany, NY issued this tornado warning at May 31, 1998, 7:50 PM EDT for Greene County, New York. It was in force for 45 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 31, 1998, 7:50 PM EDT (23:50 UTC)
- Expired
- May 31, 1998, 8:35 PM EDT
- In force
- 45 min
- Issued by
- NWS Albany, NY
- Area
- Whole counties
County Greene County, NY
The radar
The Albany radar (KENX), 35 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:52 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 8:27 PM EDT | Hail 1 | Catskill, NY |
NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 3:00 PM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 5 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Albany, NY (KALY), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 52 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1673 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 35 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 188 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 264 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.4
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
560 WFUS1 KALB 010003 TORALB NYC039-010035- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING...RETRANSMISSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY 750 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY NY HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK * UNTIL 835 PM EDT * AT 750 PM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATES A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH A DEVELOPING TORNADO JUST NORTH OF CAIRO MOVING EAST AT ABOUT 50 MILES AN HOUR. * THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF CAIRO AT 755 PM COXSACKIE AT 805 PM IF YOU LIVE IN THESE AREAS BE READY TO SEEK SHELTER IN A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL...AWAY FROM WINDOWS. |42.338 74.023 |42.338 73.769 |42.338 73.515 |42.339 73.262 |42.339 73.008
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 31, 6:53 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP G
0652PM SUN MAY 31 1998
GBET WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
01329 FILE 28 PD TOWN BETHLEHEM NY0015100 MAY 31-98
TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT
COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ALBANY COUNTY
LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): TOWN OF BETHLEHEM THE ENTIRE TOWN
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 1648
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: SEVERE DAMAGE ALL OVER THE TOWN INCLUDING
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND WIRES DOWN IN THE AREA NUMEROUS TOWN AND STATE ROADS
CLOSED
CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
( ) - NO HAIL REPORTED (X) - LESS THAN 1/2" (PEA)
( ) - 1/2" (MARBLE) ( ) - 1/2" TO 3/4" (PENNY)
( ) - 3/4" TO 1" (DIME) ( ) - 1.25" (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50" (WALNUT) ( ) - 1.75" (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00" (HENS EGG) ( ) - 2.50" (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75" (BASEBALL) ( ) - 3.00" (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00" (GRAPEFRUIT) ( ) - 4.50" (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:NONE REPORTED
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS ( ) - CLOUD TO CLOUD ( ) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO: ( ) - TREES
( ) - POWER/TELCO POLES ( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/T'STORM WIND DAMAGE ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS (X) - LARGE TREES
(X) - COMM. BUILDINGS (X) - PRIVATE HOMES
(X) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
(X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS: UNK MPH OR UNKKNOTS
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
(X) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
( ) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
( ) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE
REMARKS: THE TOWN EXPERIENCED SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM 1648 HOURS TODAYS
DATE TO APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS NUMEROUS ROADS CLOSED LARGE TREES DOWN ALL
OVER THE TOWN HEAVY RA
IN CONDITIONS DURING THE ABOVE HOURS NO LIGHTNING WAS
SEEN
AUTH PHONE #: 518 439-9973
AUTH VANDERBILT,RICHARD LIEUTENANT
OPER - HORNICK,ADAM N 1852Local storm report, May 31, 6:55 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
655 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0342 PM FONDA NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 MONTGOMERY TREE DOWN.
0415 PM MILTON CENTER NY 1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 SARATOGA 1 INCH HAIL IN MILTON.
0416 PM MECHANICVILLE NY 60 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98 SARATOGA 60 MPH ESTIMATED WIND
GUST.
0420 PM STILLWATER NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE.
0420 PM SARATOGA SPGS NY 1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 SARATOGA GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL.
0425 PM STILLWATER NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA 3 HOMES DESTROYED.
0435 PM STILLWATER NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA *** 10 INJ ***
EXTENSIVE STRUCTURAL
DAMAGE AND 10 TO 15
INJURIES...SOME SERIOUS.
0440 PM ALBANY ARPT NY 82 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98 ALBANY 82 MPH WIND GUST.
0450 PM SCHAGHTICOKE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 RENSSELAER TREES DOWN...SIGNS
BENT...TRAILERS FLIPPED
OVER...DEBRIS ON RTE 40
AND 67
0450 PM COLONIE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 ALBANY TREES AND POWER LINES
DOWN.
0510 PM CHATHAM NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 COLUMBIA TREES AND WIRES DOWN.
0510 PM KINDERHOOK NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 COLUMBIA TREE DOWN ON RESIDENCE.
0510 PM STUYVESANT NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 COLUMBIA TREE ACROSS CONRAIL
TRACKS.
0510 PM CHATHAM NY .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 COLUMBIA DIME SIZE HAIL.
0545 PM PITTSFIELD MA 1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE
0630 PM CLARKSVILLE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 ALBANY TREE DOWN ON ROAD.
0640 PM NEW SCOTLAND NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 ALBANY TREE DOWN ON NEW SCOTLAND
ROAD.
0647 PM BREAKABEEN NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SCHOHARIE TREES DOWN.Local storm report, May 31, 6:55 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
655 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0342 PM FONDA NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 MONTGOMERY TREE DOWN.
0415 PM MILTON CENTER NY 1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 SARATOGA 1 INCH HAIL IN MILTON.
0416 PM MECHANICVILLE NY 60 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98 SARATOGA 60 MPH ESTIMATED WIND
GUST.
0420 PM STILLWATER NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE.
0420 PM SARATOGA SPGS NY 1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 SARATOGA GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL.
0425 PM STILLWATER NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA 3 HOMES DESTROYED.
0435 PM STILLWATER NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA *** 10 INJ ***
EXTENSIVE STRUCTURAL
DAMAGE AND 10 TO 15
INJURIES...SOME SERIOUS.
0440 PM ALBANY ARPT NY 82 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98 ALBANY 82 MPH WIND GUST.
0450 PM SCHAGHTICOKE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 RENSSELAER TREES DOWN...SIGNS
BENT...TRAILERS FLIPPED
OVER...DEBRIS ON RTE 40
AND 67
0450 PM COLONIE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 ALBANY TREES AND POWER LINES
DOWN.
0510 PM CHATHAM NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 COLUMBIA TREES AND WIRES DOWN.
0510 PM KINDERHOOK NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 COLUMBIA TREE DOWN ON RESIDENCE.
0510 PM STUYVESANT NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 COLUMBIA TREE ACROSS CONRAIL
TRACKS.
0510 PM CHATHAM NY .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 COLUMBIA DIME SIZE HAIL.
0545 PM PITTSFIELD MA 1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE
0630 PM CLARKSVILLE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 ALBANY TREE DOWN ON ROAD.
0640 PM NEW SCOTLAND NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 ALBANY TREE DOWN ON NEW SCOTLAND
ROAD.
0647 PM BREAKABEEN NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SCHOHARIE TREES DOWN.Local storm report, May 31, 7:12 PM EDT, 38 minutes before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP A
0712PM SUN MAY 31 1998
AGSO WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
02360 FILE 28 GENESEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MAY 31-98
TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT
COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: GENESEE COUNTY
LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): GENESEE COUNTY WITH WIND DAMAGE
TO SEVERAL TREES AND NUMEROUS POWER OUTAGES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 05/31/98 1720 HRS
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: SEVERAL TREES DOWN IN THE TOWNS OF BYRON
AND BERGEN AREA - SEVERAL POWER LINES TAKEN DOWN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH
NUMEROUS TREE LIMBS
CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
( ) - NO HAIL REPORTED ( ) - LESS THAN 1/2" (PEA)
( ) - 1/2" (MARBLE) ( ) - 1/2" TO 3/4" (PENNY)
(X) - 3/4" TO 1" (DIME) ( ) - 1.25" (HALF DOLLAR)
( ) - 1.50" (WALNUT) ( ) - 1.75" (GOLFBALL)
( ) - 2.00" (HENS EGG) ( ) - 2.50" (TENNISBALL)
( ) - 2.75" (BASEBALL) ( ) - 3.00" (TEA CUP)
( ) - 4.00" (GRAPEFRUIT) ( ) - 4.50" (SOFTBALL)
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS ( ) - CLOUD TO CLOUD (X) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO: (X) - TREES
(X) - POWER/TELCO POLES (X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/T'STORM WIND DAMAGE ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS (X) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
(X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS: 70 MPH OR KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
(X) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
( ) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
( ) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE
REMARKS: SEVERAL LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH POWER
LINES DOWN AND WITH TREES BLOCKING NUMEROUS ROADWAYS
AUTH PHONE #: 716 343-5000
AUTH FALCONE,SGT LAVERN C
OPER - TRIPP,JAMES E 1911Local storm report, May 31, 7:49 PM EDT, 1 minute before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP E
0748PM SUN MAY 31 1998
EASO WLSR QHQT QTRF WAPT APTS
01604 FILE 28 SENECA CO SO NY0490000 MAY 31-98
TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
ATTENTION SEMO DUTY OFFICER
SEVERE HIGH WINDS-HEAVY RAINS-AND LIGHTING
DETAILS CONCERNING EVENT: AS OF 1900 HRS 31 MAY 98 RUDY BERTINO, MAYOR OF THE
VILLAGE OF WATERLOO, HAS DECLARED A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY AS PER EXECUTIVE
LAW ARTICLE 2B, DUE TO NUMEROUS DOWNED POWER LINES AND TREES AS A RESULT OF A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM TRAVEL IS RESTRICTED TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES ONLY
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: SENECA COUNTY
LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): ENTIRE VILLAGE OF WATERLOO
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 1807 HRS
DATE AND TIME CONDITION ENDED: CONTINUING RAIN AT THIS TIME
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: LISTED ABOVE
NUMBER KILLED: 00 NUMBER INJURED: 00
REMARKS:
AUTH PHONE #: 315 539-2022
AUTH SHERIFF THOMAS H FOX LEONARD
OPER - LEONARD,JAMES R 1947Local storm report, May 31, 7:50 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP C
0749PM SUN MAY 31 1998
CDSO WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
01052 FILE 28 DELAWARE CO SO DELHI NY0120000 MAY 31-98
TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
ATTENTION SEMO DUTY OFFICER
TORNADO REPORT
COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: DELAWARE
CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPROPRIATE:
(X) - REPORT BASED UPON DAMAGE
( ) - FUNNEL CLOUD ACTUALLY SIGHTED (SEND ADDED INFO MESSAGE)
( ) - WATER SPOUT ACTUALLY SIGHTED (SEND ADDED INFO MESSAGE)
LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD):
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON(S) REPORTING TORNADO(S):
DATE AND TIME OF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN: 05/31/98 7-45PM
PLACE OF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN: T/COLCHESTER
DIRECTION OF TORNADO TRAVEL: EASTERLY
ESTIMATED WIDTH OF TORNADO AT GROUND: UNK
ESTIMATED LENGTH OF TORNADO PATH: UNK
PLACE OF TORNADO LIFTOFF: UNK
DAMAGE REPORTED TO (CHECK): (X)-CROPS ( )-FARM BLDGS
(X)-POWER/TELCO LINES (X)-POWER/TELCO POLES (X)-SMALL TREES
(X)-LARGE TREES ( )-PRIVATE HOMES ( )-COMM. BLDGS
( )-OTHER (SPECIFY)
NUMBER OF FATALITIES: NUMBER OF INJURED:
REMARKS:
AUTH PHONE #: 607 746-2336
AUTH SHERIFF L J RUTHERFORD LAAUSER 7-50 PM
OPER - LAAUSER,BRIAN K 1948The office that day
Everything else NWS Albany, NY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 1:03 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Hamilton, Herkimer | 72 min |
| May 31, 3:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Herkimer | 61 min |
| May 31, 3:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Montgomery | 62 min |
| May 31, 3:24 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Montgomery | 61 min |
| May 31, 3:29 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Fulton, Herkimer | 61 min |
| May 31, 3:33 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Montgomery | 52 min |
| May 31, 3:43 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Saratoga | 62 min |
| May 31, 4:16 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Washington | 74 min |
| May 31, 4:30 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Rensselaer | 50 min |
| May 31, 4:35 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie | 55 min |
| May 31, 4:43 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Saratoga | 32 min |
| May 31, 4:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Greene | 78 min |
| May 31, 5:16 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Columbia, Rensselaer | 74 min |
| May 31, 6:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery | 63 min |
| May 31, 6:29 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Schoharie | 46 min |
| May 31, 6:45 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady | 60 min |
| May 31, 7:03 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Greene | 57 min |
| May 31, 7:06 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Rensselaer | 59 min |
| May 31, 7:10 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Washington | 60 min |
| May 31, 7:10 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Albany, Schoharie | 55 min |
| May 31, 7:19 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Ulster | 56 min |
| May 31, 7:32 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Columbia | 73 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in New York, 1998Every tornado warning in 1998Tornadoes in 1998
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.