Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2002

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 110, NWS Albany, NY

August 14, 2002Columbia County, New York; Berkshire County, Massachusetts

NWS Albany, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 14, 2002, 5:35 PM EDT for Columbia County, New York; Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 55 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
Aug 14, 2002, 5:35 PM EDT (21:35 UTC)
Expired
Aug 14, 2002, 6:30 PM EDT
In force
55 min
Issued by
NWS Albany, NY
Area
Whole counties

Counties Berkshire County, MA, Columbia County, NY

The radar

The Albany radar (KENX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:37 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
Aug 14, 6:06 PM EDTThunderstorm WindCanaan, 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 nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 54 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 2002-08-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1187 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 2002-08-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 39 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
1187 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-174 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1201 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
78 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

050 
WUUS51 KALY 142135
SVRALY
MAC003-NYC021-142230-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
535 PM EDT WED AUG 14 2002

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIA COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK
  NORTHERN BERKSHIRE COUNTY IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

* UNTIL 630 PM EDT

* AT 532 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES NORTH OF AUSTERLITZ...OR ABOUT 8 MILES
  EAST OF CHATHAM...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  NEW LEBANON AND LENOX AT 550 PM EDT
  PITTSFIELD AT 605 PM EDT
  HANCOCK AT 610 PM EDT
  DALTON AT 625 PM EDT
  CHESHIRE AND NEW ASHFORD AT 630 PM EDT

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH YOU SHOULD PREPARE
FOR DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH...LARGE HAIL...AND VERY HEAVY
RAIN. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER NOW.

$$

LAT...LON 4242 7361 4227 7347 4251 7290 4273 7311

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.

NWS Albany, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 14, 3:52 AM EDT, 13 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 14, 3:52 AM EDT, 13 hours 43 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
330 AM EDT WED 14 2002

.DISC...

HOT RIDGE WITH H850 PLUS 20 INSURES HOTTEST DAY OF THE
SUMMER.  ALB RECORD 97 WITH EXPECTED MAX +/-1 OF SAME.
TEMPS/TDS JUST REACH 105 HEAT ADVISORY THRESHOLD FOR
CAPITAL DISTRICT / HUDSON VALLEY / PARTS LITCHFIELD CTY.
THUNDER RISK SIMILAR TO YESTERDAY. ISOLATED TO SLIGHT
CHANCE. BEST BET (20 PCT) GOES TO MOUNTAIN AREAS WITH
SOME OROGRAPHIC CONTRIBUTION TO OTHERWISE CONDITIONALLY
UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE. LITTLE ELSE WORKING TO IGNITE TSRA.
SLOW FRONT THURSDAY MAY KEEP MUCH OF CWA DRY...WITH BETTER
CHANCE PCPN THURSDAY NIGHT.

.HYDROLOGICAL STATUS...NO PROBLEMS EXPECTED.
SHORT TERM ISOLATED CONVECTION MAY CAUSE LOCAL
DRIANAGE PROBLEMS...BUT RIVERS AND STREAMS TO STAY
WELL BELOW NORMAL FLOW.

.ALY...NYZ 049-050-052-053-059-060-064-065-066-CTZ001
        HEAT ADVISORY TODAY.

WILEY

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 14, 4:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
431 PM EDT WED AUG 14 2002

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

0415 PM    ALBANY                    NY   1 INCH HAIL
08/14/02   ALBANY                         QUARTER SIZE HAIL.
Local storm report, Aug 14, 4:42 PM EDT, 53 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
442 PM EDT WED AUG 14 2002

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

0415 PM    ALBANY                    NY   1 INCH HAIL
08/14/02   ALBANY                         QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

0425 PM    COLONIE                   NY   68 MPH TSTM GUST
08/14/02   ALBANY                         MEASURED AT ALBANY COUNTY
                                          AIRPORT.
Local storm report, Aug 14, 4:47 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
447 PM EDT WED AUG 14 2002

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

0415 PM    ALBANY                    NY   1 INCH HAIL
08/14/02   ALBANY                         QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

0420 PM    COLONIE                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
08/14/02   ALBANY                         TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN.

0420 PM    COLONIE                   NY   .75 INCH HAIL
08/14/02   ALBANY                         DIME SIZE HAIL

0425 PM    COLONIE                   NY   68 MPH TSTM GUST
08/14/02   ALBANY                         MEASURED AT ALBANY COUNTY
                                          AIRPORT.

NNNN
KOLECI
Local storm report, Aug 14, 4:57 PM EDT, 38 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
457 PM EDT WED AUG 14 2002

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

0415 PM    ALBANY                    NY   1 INCH HAIL
08/14/02   ALBANY                         QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

0420 PM    COLONIE                   NY   WIND DAMAGE
08/14/02   ALBANY                         TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN.

0420 PM    COLONIE                   NY   .75 INCH HAIL
08/14/02   ALBANY                         DIME SIZE HAIL

0425 PM    COLONIE                   NY   68 MPH TSTM GUST
08/14/02   ALBANY                         MEASURED AT ALBANY COUNTY
                                          AIRPORT.

0445 PM    BALLSTON SPA              NY   WIND DAMAGE
08/14/02   SARATOGA                       TREES AND WIRES DOWN.
Local storm report, Aug 14, 5:02 PM EDT, 33 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
502 PM EDT WED AUG 14 2002

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

0435 PM    NISKAYUNA                 NY   WIND DAMAGE
08/14/02   SCHENECTADY                    TREES AND WIRES DOWN.
Local storm report, Aug 14, 5:03 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP G
0501PM     WED AUG 14 2002
#2 0150152 015
GCOL WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
08770    FILE 28   TOWN OF COLONIE PD NY0015300              AUG 14-02
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ALBANY COUNTY

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): COLONIE   VLY ROAD  CURRY ROAD
RAPPLE DRIVE HIALEAH DRIVE  CONSAUL ROAD GARLING DRIVE
DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: 1621
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: NUMEROUS TREES DOWN  POWER LINES
FLOODING   DAMAGE TO HOMES

CHECK ONE:
HAIL SIZE REPORTED
(X) - NO HAIL REPORTED    ( ) - 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:          NUMBER INJURED:

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
LIGHTNING REPORTED AS (X) - CLOUD TO CLOUD  (X) - CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING DAMAGE TO:            (X) - TREES
( ) - POWER/TELCO POLES   (X) - POWER/TELCO LINES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     (X) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  ( ) - CROPS
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

CHECK ONE OR MORE AS APPLICABLE:
HIGH WIND/TSTORM WIND DAMAGE   ( ) - CROPS
(X) - SMALL TREES/SHRUBS  (X) - LARGE TREES
( ) - COMM. BUILDINGS     ( ) - PRIVATE HOMES
( ) - OUT/FARM BUILDINGS  (X) - POWER/TELCO POLES
( ) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:     MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED:          NUMBER INJURED:

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: HIGH WIND DAMAGE FROM THUNDRSTORM THAT MOVED THROUGH COLONIE AREA
POSSIBLE MICROBURST DAMAGE

AUTH PHONE #: 518 783-2811

AUTH ASST CHIEF JAMES                               RJ ELSNER 1700

OPER - ELSNER,ROBERT J                1701

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 14, 3:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningALYAlbany43 min
Aug 14, 4:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningALYSchenectady32 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in New York, 2002Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Massachusetts, 2002Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2002

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.