Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1998

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 50, NWS Buffalo, NY

May 31, 1998Monroe County, Orleans County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 1998, 6:17 PM EDT for Monroe County, Orleans County, New York. It was in force for 63 min. 2 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, 6:17 PM EDT (22:17 UTC)
Expired
May 31, 1998, 7:20 PM EDT
In force
63 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Whole counties

Counties Monroe County, NY, Orleans County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:19 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 31, 6:45 PM EDTThunderstorm WindRochester, NY
May 31, 6:45 PM EDTThunderstorm WindYates Center, 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 31, 3:30 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 337 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 1998-05-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 1998-05-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 188 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

925 
WUUS1 KBUF 312218 RRA
SVRBUF
NYC055-073-NYZ523-524-312320-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
617 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO NY HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  MONROE COUNTY INCLUDING ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS IN WESTERN NEW YORK
  ORLEANS COUNTY INCLUDING ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS IN WESTERN NEW
  YORK

* UNTIL 720 PM EDT

* AT 615 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES OF ALBION...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  BROCKPORT AT 630 PM EDT
  ROCHESTER AT 645 PM EDT

IF YOU ARE IN THESE AREAS...SEEK SAFETY IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM
AWAY FROM WINDOWS. A BASEMENT OFFERS THE BEST PROTECTION.

A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT.  SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN
PRODUCE TORNADOES.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55
MPH AND/OR HAIL 3/4 INCH OR LARGER. FOR YOUR PROTECTION FROM
POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS...MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. HEAVY RAINS MAY ALSO
CAUSE RAPID FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.
DONT ATTEMPT TO CROSS FLOODED ROADWAYS.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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, 2:54 PM EDT, 3 hours 23 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NEW YORK
254 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1230 PM    CAUGHDENOY                NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   OSWEGO                         LARGE BRANCHES AND WIRES
                                          DOWN

0130 PM    SCIO                      NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   ALLEGANY                       TREE DOWNED ACROSS ROAD

0215 PM    DANSVILLE                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   LIVINGSTON                     SEVRAL TREES AND WIRES
                                          DOWNED

0217 PM    PORTAGE                   dNY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   LIVINGSTON                     TREE DOWNED

NIZIOL
Local storm report, May 31, 2:54 PM EDT, 3 hours 23 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NEW YORK
254 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1230 PM    CAUGHDENOY                NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   OSWEGO                         LARGE BRANCHES AND WIRES
                                          DOWN

0130 PM    SCIO                      NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   ALLEGANY                       TREE DOWNED ACROSS ROAD

0215 PM    DANSVILLE                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   LIVINGSTON                     SEVRAL TREES AND WIRES
                                          DOWNED

0217 PM    PORTAGE                   dNY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   LIVINGSTON                     TREE DOWNED

NIZIOL
Local storm report, May 31, 5:58 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NEW YORK
558 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1040 AM    BUFFALO                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   ERIE                           TREES DOWN DELAWARE PARK

1245 PM    CONQUEST                  NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   CAYUGA                         NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0100 PM    PERRYSBURG                NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   CATTARAUGUS                    LARGE TREE DOWN

0430 PM    NIAGARA FALLS             NY   .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   NIAGARA

0435 PM    BUFFALO                   NY   65 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98   ERIE                           COAST GUARD REPORT

0440 PM    WEST SENECA               NY   1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0445 PM    DEPEW                     NY   .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0445 PM    NIAGARA FALLS             NY   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   NIAGARA

0447 PM    CHEEKTOWAGA               NY   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0450 PM    LANCASTER                 NY   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0451 PM    ANGELICA                  NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   ALLEGANY                       LARGE TREE DOWN

0455 PM    LANCASTER                 NY   1.5 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0455 PM    WESTFIELD                 NY   TORNADO
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA                      REPORTED BY FIRE DISPATCHE
                                          R

0505 PM    10 NE WESTFIELD           NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA                     *** 2 INJ ***
                                          INJURIES IN HOME FROM HIGH
                                          WINDS

0525 PM    JAMESTOWN                 NY   1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA

0525 PM    LAKEWOOD                  NY   .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA

0535 PM    CHEEKTOWAGA               NY   1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE
Local storm report, May 31, 5:58 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NEW YORK
558 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1040 AM    BUFFALO                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   ERIE                           TREES DOWN DELAWARE PARK

1245 PM    CONQUEST                  NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   CAYUGA                         NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

0100 PM    PERRYSBURG                NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   CATTARAUGUS                    LARGE TREE DOWN

0430 PM    NIAGARA FALLS             NY   .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   NIAGARA

0435 PM    BUFFALO                   NY   65 MPH TSTM GUST
05/31/98   ERIE                           COAST GUARD REPORT

0440 PM    WEST SENECA               NY   1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0445 PM    DEPEW                     NY   .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0445 PM    NIAGARA FALLS             NY   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   NIAGARA

0447 PM    CHEEKTOWAGA               NY   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0450 PM    LANCASTER                 NY   1.75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0451 PM    ANGELICA                  NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   ALLEGANY                       LARGE TREE DOWN

0455 PM    LANCASTER                 NY   1.5 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

0455 PM    WESTFIELD                 NY   TORNADO
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA                      REPORTED BY FIRE DISPATCHE
                                          R

0505 PM    10 NE WESTFIELD           NY   WIND DAMAGE
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA                     *** 2 INJ ***
                                          INJURIES IN HOME FROM HIGH
                                          WINDS

0525 PM    JAMESTOWN                 NY   1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA

0525 PM    LAKEWOOD                  NY   .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   CHAUTAUQUA

0535 PM    CHEEKTOWAGA               NY   1 INCH HAIL
05/31/98   ERIE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 31, 4:08 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFNiagara62 min
May 31, 10:13 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie, Niagara62 min
May 31, 10:45 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFGenesee, Orleans45 min
May 31, 10:50 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFWyoming70 min
May 31, 10:50 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFMonroe70 min
May 31, 11:10 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFLivingston80 min
May 31, 11:15 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie60 min
May 31, 11:26 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFChautauqua79 min
May 31, 11:30 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFOntario, Wayne80 min
May 31, 11:45 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFJefferson80 min
May 31, 11:50 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFCayuga, Oswego85 min
May 31, 12:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFCattaraugus99 min
May 31, 12:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie45 min
May 31, 12:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFLewis65 min
May 31, 1:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFAllegany45 min
May 31, 1:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFLivingston63 min
May 31, 2:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFWyoming45 min
May 31, 2:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFLivingston45 min
May 31, 3:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFCattaraugus61 min
May 31, 3:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFWayne65 min
May 31, 4:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFOswego33 min
May 31, 4:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFAllegany65 min
May 31, 4:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFChautauqua, Erie79 min
May 31, 4:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFNiagara79 min
May 31, 4:49 PM EDTTornado WarningBUFAllegany46 min
May 31, 5:08 PM EDTTornado WarningBUFChautauqua47 min
May 31, 5:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFGenesee, Livingston, Wyoming63 min
May 31, 5:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie61 min
May 31, 5:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFCattaraugus, Chautauqua62 min
May 31, 6:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFAllegany63 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in New York, 1998Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.