Alert archive / New York / Tornado Warnings in 1998
Tornado Warning 23, NWS Albany, NY
NWS Albany, NY issued this tornado warning at May 31, 1998, 8:50 PM EDT for Dutchess County, Ulster County, New York. It was in force for 75 min. 6 reports 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, 8:50 PM EDT (00:50 UTC)
- Expired
- May 31, 1998, 10:05 PM EDT
- In force
- 75 min
- Issued by
- NWS Albany, NY
- Area
- Whole counties
Counties Dutchess County, NY, Ulster County, NY
The radar
The Albany radar (KENX), 85 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:49 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, 9:00 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind | Gardiner, NY | |
| May 31, 9:00 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind | Red Hook, NY | |
| May 31, 9:10 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind | Rhinebeck, NY | |
| May 31, 9:25 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind | Clinton Corners, NY | |
| May 31, 9:40 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind | Stanfordville, NY | |
| May 31, 9:55 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind | Wappingers Falls, 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, 8:00 PM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 143 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
- 151 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -348 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1224 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 233 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 319 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
900 WFUS1 KALB 010054 RRA TORALB NYC111-027-010205- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY 850 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY NY HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... ULSTER COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK DUTCHESS COUNTY IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK * UNTIL 1005 PM EDT * AT 850 PM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A DEVELOPING TORNADO ABOUT 5 MILES SOUTH OF WEST HURLEY MOVING EAST ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. * THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... HURLEY AT 900 PM KINGSTON AT 905 PM PORT EWEN AT 905 PM RHINEBECK AT 910 PM PINE PLAINS AT 925 PM MILLERTON AT 935 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. |41.926 74.189 |41.927 73.964 |41.927 73.738 |41.927 73.513 |41.927 73.287
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, 8:00 PM EDT, 50 minutes before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP G
0759PM SUN MAY 31 1998
GBES WLSR GHQT APTS
00543 FILE 28 RENSSELAER COUNTY B P S NY041013P MAY 31-98
TO A P B ATTN SEMO / SP LOUDONVILLE
THE FOLLOWING IS A DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RENSSELAER COUNTY.
SPECIFICALLY, A STATE OF EMERGENCY IS HEREBY DECLARED IN THE FOLLOWING TOWNS
AND CITIES: T/O SCHAGHTICOKE
T/O PITTSTOWN
T/O HOOSICK
NORTHERN SECTION; CITY OF TROY.
THIS STATE WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT STARTING TONIGHT @ 1920 HRS., AND WILL
CONTINUE FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE DAYS, TO END AT MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY 5 JUNE '98.
THIS STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED DUE TO DISASTER CONDITIONS PRODUCED
BY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN RENSSELAER COUNTY.
THE COMMAND POST IS LOCATED AT: RENSSELAER COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
4000 MAIN STREET TROY
(518) 270-5252
(518) 272-4700 - FAX.
ADDED INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED AS AVAILABLE.
AUTH/DIRECTOR DAVID A. COOK SENT/VESHIA b 7-56 PM
RENSS. COUNTY BUREAU OF PUBLIC SAFETY
OPER - ZAKRZEWSKI,ANDREW 1958Local storm report, May 31, 8:06 PM EDT, 44 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
806 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.
0708 PM MECHANICVILLE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA WIND DAMAGE.
0716 PM GUILDERLAND CENTER NY TORNADO
05/31/98 ALBANY FUNNEL CLOUD OBSERVED BY
SPOTTER.
0735 PM SCHOHARIE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SCHOHARIE WIDESPREAD WIND DAMAGE
COUNTYWIDE.
0755 PM NORTH ADAMS MA 70 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE SKYWARN OBSERVER REPORTED
70 MPH WIND GUST.Local storm report, May 31, 8:06 PM EDT, 44 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
806 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.
0708 PM MECHANICVILLE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SARATOGA WIND DAMAGE.
0716 PM GUILDERLAND CENTER NY TORNADO
05/31/98 ALBANY FUNNEL CLOUD OBSERVED BY
SPOTTER.
0735 PM SCHOHARIE NY WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98 SCHOHARIE WIDESPREAD WIND DAMAGE
COUNTYWIDE.
0755 PM NORTH ADAMS MA 70 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE SKYWARN OBSERVER REPORTED
70 MPH WIND GUST.Local storm report, May 31, 8:16 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP F
0815PM SUN MAY 31 1998
FCSD WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00805 FILE 28 ORANGE COUNTY SO NY0350003 MAY 31-98
TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT
COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ORANGE COUNTY
LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): CENTRAL ORANGE COUNTY
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 053198 2005HRS
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER:
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: ( ) - 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
( ) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS ( ) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS ( ) - POWER/TELCO POLES
( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES
RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS: MPH OR KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED: 0 NUMBER INJURED: 0
FLOODING (IF EXTENSIVE, SEND SEPARATE FLOOD MESSAGE FROM MENU)
( ) - STORM SEWER OVERFLOWS, UNDERPASSES, STREET FLOODING
( ) - LOCAL SMALL CREEKS OVERFLOWING
( ) - STREAMS AND LARGE CREEKS FLOODING (COMPLETE REMARKS W/DAMAGE
REMARKS: HEAVY RAIN FALLING AT THIS TIME AND 3/4 TO 1" HAIL HEAVY WIND
AND CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING REPORTED BY POLICE PATROLS
AUTH PHONE #: 914 291-3199
AUTH DOMINIC GREENE SGT HAAS:08:15P
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORANGE COUNTY NY
OPER - HAAS,GEORGE R 2014Local storm report, May 31, 8:29 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
829 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0641 PM LITTLE FALLS NY TORNADO
05/31/98 HERKIMER TORNADO REPORTED AT 641 PM
BY SHERIFFS OFFICE.
0755 PM BRATTLEBORO VT TORNADO
05/31/98 WINDHAM FUNNEL CLOUD 2 TO 3 MILES
NORTH OF BRATTLEBORO.
0803 PM PITTSFIELD MA TORNADO
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY
SPOTTER NEAR PITTSFIELD.
0803 PM PITTSFIELD MA TORNADO
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY
SKYWARN SPOTTER NEAR
FRANKLIN STREET.
0815 PM CAIRO NY TORNADO
05/31/98 GREENE FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR CAIRO.
0823 PM CATSKILL NY .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 GREENE 3/4 INCH HAIL IN CATSKILL.
0824 PM CATSKILL NY TORNADO
05/31/98 GREENE FUNNEL CLOUD 5 MILES SOUTH
OF CATSKILL.
0827 PM CATSKILL NY 1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 GREENE 1 INCH HAIL IN CATSKILL.Local storm report, May 31, 8:29 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
829 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0641 PM LITTLE FALLS NY TORNADO
05/31/98 HERKIMER TORNADO REPORTED AT 641 PM
BY SHERIFFS OFFICE.
0755 PM BRATTLEBORO VT TORNADO
05/31/98 WINDHAM FUNNEL CLOUD 2 TO 3 MILES
NORTH OF BRATTLEBORO.
0803 PM PITTSFIELD MA TORNADO
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY
SPOTTER NEAR PITTSFIELD.
0803 PM PITTSFIELD MA TORNADO
05/31/98 BERKSHIRE FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED BY
SKYWARN SPOTTER NEAR
FRANKLIN STREET.
0815 PM CAIRO NY TORNADO
05/31/98 GREENE FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR CAIRO.
0823 PM CATSKILL NY .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 GREENE 3/4 INCH HAIL IN CATSKILL.
0824 PM CATSKILL NY TORNADO
05/31/98 GREENE FUNNEL CLOUD 5 MILES SOUTH
OF CATSKILL.
0827 PM CATSKILL NY 1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 GREENE 1 INCH HAIL IN CATSKILL.The office that day
Everything else NWS Albany, NY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 8:17 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ALY | Ulster | 73 min |
| May 31, 8:36 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ALY | Columbia | 54 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.