Alert archive / New York / Flood Watches in 2011

Flood Watch 3, NWS Buffalo, NY

February 27, 201111 counties in New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this flood watch at Feb 27, 2011, 2:47 PM EST for 11 counties in New York. It took effect at Feb 28, 2011, 4:00 AM EST. It was in force for 17 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 27, 2011, 2:47 PM EST (19:47 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 28, 2011, 4:00 AM EST
Expired
Feb 28, 2011, 9:13 PM EST
In force
17 hr
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Flood severity
None

Counties Allegany County, NY, Cattaraugus County, NY, Chautauqua County, NY, Erie County, NY, Genesee County, NY, Livingston County, NY, Monroe County, NY, Niagara County, NY, Ontario County, NY, Orleans County, NY, Wyoming County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 44 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:52 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 7.8 hours before the alert went out and 40 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, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2011-02-27Temperature 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°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2011-02-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 28 square meters per square second.1939587897117136156Sfc1 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
494 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
94 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
28 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
131 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.

899 
WGUS61 KBUF 271947
FFABUF

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
247 PM EST SUN FEB 27 2011

...THE COMBINATION OF RAINFALL AND SNOWMELT MAY LEAD TO FLOODING...

.LOW PRESSURE TRACKING NORTHEAST FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS THROUGH
THE OHIO VALLEY WILL BRING WARMER TEMPERATURES AND RAIN TO THE
AREA TONIGHT AND MONDAY. THE COMBINATION OF RAINFALL AND SNOWMELT
COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT RUNOFF...WHICH MAY RESULT IN MINOR
FLOODING OF CREEKS AND RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE
AREAS.

NYZ001>003-010>014-019>021-085-280400-
/O.NEW.KBUF.FA.A.0003.110228T0900Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NIAGARA-ORLEANS-MONROE-NORTHERN ERIE-GENESEE-WYOMING-LIVINGSTON-
ONTARIO-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NIAGARA FALLS...MEDINA...ROCHESTER...
BUFFALO...BATAVIA...WARSAW...GENESEO...CANANDAIGUA...JAMESTOWN...
OLEAN...WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
247 PM EST SUN FEB 27 2011

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY
EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK...INCLUDING THE 
  FOLLOWING COUNTIES...ALLEGANY...CATTARAUGUS...CHAUTAUQUA...
  GENESEE...LIVINGSTON...MONROE...NIAGARA...NORTHERN ERIE...
  ONTARIO...ORLEANS...SOUTHERN ERIE AND WYOMING.

* FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING

* SIGNIFICANT RUNOFF IS POSSIBLE DUE TO INCREASING SNOWMELT AND
  RAINFALL...WHICH MAY RESULT IN MINOR FLOODING OF CREEKS AND
  RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. THUNDERSTORMS
  MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED HEAVIER RAINFALL AND A POSE A RISK FOR
  MORE SIGNIFICANT FLOODING.

* THE GREATEST RISK FOR FLOODING WILL BE ALONG THE ALLEGHENY AND
  GENESEE RIVERS. THE BUFFALO AREA CREEKS...ESPECIALLY THOSE WHERE
  ICE JAMS MAY CONTINUE TO EXISTS. THE SMALLER CREEKS AND STREAMS.

* ALTHOUGH THE RAIN WILL COME TO AN END AROUND MIDDAY MONDAY...
  SOME OF THE STREAMS AND RIVERS WILL NOT CREST UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT
  OR EVEN INTO THE PREDAWN HOURS ON TUESDAY. STAY INFORMED EVEN
  AFTER THE RAINS END.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER RADIO AND TV
STATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES

&&

$$

TMA
5 follow-up statements
171 
WGUS61 KBUF 280353
FFABUF

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
1053 PM EST SUN FEB 27 2011

...THE COMBINATION OF RAINFALL AND SNOWMELT MAY LEAD TO
FLOODING...

.LOW PRESSURE TRACKING NORTHEAST FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS THROUGH
THE OHIO VALLEY WILL BRING RAIN AND HIGHER TEMPERATURES TO THE
AREA OVERNIGHT AND MONDAY. THE COMBINATION OF RAINFALL AND
SNOWMELT COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT RUNOFF...WHICH MAY RESULT IN
MINOR FLOODING OF CREEKS AND RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR
DRAINAGE AREAS.

NYZ001>003-010>014-019>021-085-281200-
/O.CON.KBUF.FA.A.0003.110228T0900Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NIAGARA-ORLEANS-MONROE-NORTHERN ERIE-GENESEE-WYOMING-LIVINGSTON-
ONTARIO-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NIAGARA FALLS...MEDINA...ROCHESTER...
BUFFALO...BATAVIA...WARSAW...GENESEO...CANANDAIGUA...JAMESTOWN...
OLEAN...WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
1053 PM EST SUN FEB 27 2011

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST MONDAY THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING 
 COUNTIES...ALLEGANY...CATTARAUGUS...CHAUTAUQUA...GENESEE...
 LIVINGSTON...MONROE...NIAGARA...NORTHERN ERIE...ONTARIO...
 ORLEANS...SOUTHERN ERIE AND WYOMING.

* FROM 4 AM EST MONDAY THROUGH MONDAY EVENING

* SIGNIFICANT RUNOFF IS POSSIBLE DUE TO INCREASING SNOWMELT AND 
 RAINFALL...WHICH MAY RESULT IN MINOR FLOODING OF CREEKS AND 
 RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. 
 THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED HEAVIER RAINFALL AND A 
 POSE A RISK FOR MORE SIGNIFICANT FLOODING. 

* THE GREATEST RISK FOR FLOODING WILL BE ALONG THE ALLEGHENY AND 
 GENESEE RIVERS. THE BUFFALO AREA CREEKS...ESPECIALLY THOSE 
 WHERE ICE JAMS MAY CONTINUE TO EXISTS. THE SMALLER CREEKS AND 
 STREAMS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER RADIO AND TV
STATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES

&&

$$

RSH
894 
WGUS61 KBUF 280810
FFABUF

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
310 AM EST MON FEB 28 2011

...THE COMBINATION OF RAINFALL AND SNOWMELT MAY LEAD TO
FLOODING...

.LOW PRESSURE TRACKING NORTHEAST FROM THE OHIO VALLEY TO WESTERN
NEW YORK WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT RAIN AND HIGHER TEMPERATURES TO
THE AREA THIS MORNING. THE COMBINATION OF RAINFALL AND SNOWMELT
COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT RUNOFF...WHICH MAY RESULT IN MINOR
FLOODING OF CREEKS AND RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE
AREAS. THE THREAT IS GREATEST OVER THE SOUTHERN TIER.

NYZ001>003-010>014-019>021-085-281615-
/O.CON.KBUF.FA.A.0003.110228T0900Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NIAGARA-ORLEANS-MONROE-NORTHERN ERIE-GENESEE-WYOMING-LIVINGSTON-
ONTARIO-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NIAGARA FALLS...MEDINA...ROCHESTER...
BUFFALO...BATAVIA...WARSAW...GENESEO...CANANDAIGUA...JAMESTOWN...
OLEAN...WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
310 AM EST MON FEB 28 2011

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING 
  COUNTIES...ALLEGANY...CATTARAUGUS...CHAUTAUQUA...GENESEE...
  LIVINGSTON...MONROE...NIAGARA...NORTHERN ERIE...ONTARIO...
  ORLEANS...SOUTHERN ERIE AND WYOMING.

* THROUGH THIS EVENING

* SIGNIFICANT RUNOFF IS POSSIBLE DUE TO INCREASING SNOWMELT AND 
  RAINFALL...WHICH MAY RESULT IN MINOR FLOODING OF CREEKS AND 
  RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. 
  THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALIZED HEAVIER RAINFALL AND A 
  POSE A RISK FOR MORE SIGNIFICANT FLOODING. 

* THE GREATEST RISK FOR FLOODING WILL BE ALONG THE ALLEGHENY AND
  UPPER GENESEE RIVERS. THE BUFFALO AREA CREEKS...ESPECIALLY THOSE
  WHERE ICE JAMS EXIST ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE. SMALL STREAMS AND
  CREEKS ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TIER ARE ALSO AT RISK. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER RADIO AND TV
STATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES

&&

$$

SFM
150 
WGUS61 KBUF 281615
FFABUF

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
1115 AM EST MON FEB 28 2011

NYZ001>003-011-013-014-281715-
/O.CAN.KBUF.FA.A.0003.000000T0000Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NIAGARA-ORLEANS-MONROE-GENESEE-LIVINGSTON-ONTARIO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NIAGARA FALLS...MEDINA...ROCHESTER...
BATAVIA...GENESEO...CANANDAIGUA
1115 AM EST MON FEB 28 2011

...FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

THE FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK HAS BEEN
CANCELLED. 

THE THREAT FOR ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL HAS ENDED ACROSS
THE AREA. AS A RESULT...THE FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELED.

ALTHOUGH ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IS NOT EXPECTED...BE
ALERT FOR ANY RESIDUAL FLOODING ON ROADS...IN LOW LYING AREAS 
AND NEAR STREAMS AND CREEKS.

$$

NYZ010-012-019>021-085-010015-
/O.CON.KBUF.FA.A.0003.000000T0000Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NORTHERN ERIE-WYOMING-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-
SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO...WARSAW...JAMESTOWN...OLEAN...
WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
1115 AM EST MON FEB 28 2011

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING 
  COUNTIES...ALLEGANY...CATTARAUGUS...CHAUTAUQUA...NORTHERN 
  ERIE...SOUTHERN ERIE AND WYOMING.

* THROUGH THIS EVENING

* ALTHOUGH ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL IS NOT EXPECTED
  TODAY...RUNOFF FROM SNOWMELT AND OVERNIGHT RAINFALL IS EXPECTED
  TO CONTINUE INTO THIS AFTERNOON...WHICH MAY RESULT IN MINOR
  FLOODING OF CREEKS AND RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND POOR
  DRAINAGE AREAS.

* THE GREATEST RISK FOR FLOODING WILL BE ALONG THE ALLEGHENY AND 
  UPPER GENESEE RIVERS. THE BUFFALO AREA CREEKS...ESPECIALLY 
  THOSE WHERE ICE JAMS EXIST ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE. SMALL STREAMS 
  AND CREEKS ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TIER ARE ALSO AT RISK. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER RADIO AND TV
STATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES

&&

$$

TMA
914 
WGUS61 KBUF 282041
FFABUF

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
341 PM EST MON FEB 28 2011

NYZ010-012-019>021-085-010445-
/O.CON.KBUF.FA.A.0003.000000T0000Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NORTHERN ERIE-WYOMING-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-
SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO...WARSAW...JAMESTOWN...OLEAN...
WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
341 PM EST MON FEB 28 2011

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
  COUNTIES...ALLEGANY...CATTARAUGUS...CHAUTAUQUA...ERIE AND
  WYOMING.

* UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT

* RAINFALL HAS ENDED...HOWEVER RUNOFF FROM SNOWMELT AND OVERNIGHT
  RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING...WHICH MAY RESULT
  IN MINOR FLOODING OF CREEKS AND RIVERS AND ALSO LOW LYING AND
  POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

* THE GREATEST RISK FOR FLOODING WILL BE ALONG THE SMALL
  TRIBUTARIES OF THE ALLEGHENY AND UPPER GENESEE RIVERS IN THE
  SOUTHERN TIER. THE BUFFALO AREA CREEKS...ESPECIALLY THOSE WHERE
  ICE JAMS EXIST ARE ALSO SUSCEPTIBLE. FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE
  ALONG THE LOWER REACHES OF CATTARAUGUS CREEK NEAR SUNSET BAY DUE
  TO LINGERING ICE JAMS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER RADIO AND TV
STATIONS FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES

&&

$$

HITCHCOCK
037 
WGUS61 KBUF 010213
FFABUF

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
913 PM EST MON FEB 28 2011

NYZ010-012-019>021-085-010315-
/O.CAN.KBUF.FA.A.0003.000000T0000Z-110301T0500Z/
/00000.0.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NORTHERN ERIE-WYOMING-CHAUTAUQUA-CATTARAUGUS-ALLEGANY-
SOUTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO...WARSAW...JAMESTOWN...OLEAN...
WELLSVILLE...ORCHARD PARK...SPRINGVILLE
913 PM EST MON FEB 28 2011

...FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

THE FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF WESTERN NEW YORK HAS BEEN
CANCELLED. 

WHILE WATER LEVELS ON AREA TRIBUTARIES WILL BE AT HALF TO THREE
QUARTER BANK FULL THROUGH TONIGHT...SUB FREEZING TEMPERATURES HAVE
LOCKED UP ANY ADDITIONAL MELTING. SINCE THE RAIN FALL FROM THE
PAST 24 HOURS HAS ALREADY BEEN HANDLED BY THE TRIBUTARIES...THE
OVERALL WATER LEVELS ON MOST STREAMS WILL BE LOWERING DURING THE
COURSE OF TONIGHT AND TUESDAY.

$$

RSH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 27, 2:58 PM ESTWinter Weather AdvisoryBUFJefferson, Lewis, Oswego12 hr

Nearby

Flood Watches in New York, 2011Every flood watch in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.