High Wind in New York, February 1, 2002

Name: High Wind in New York, February 1, 2002
Start: 2002-02-01T16:45
End: 2002-02-01T23:59
Location: New York

February 1, 2002 · NWS ALY · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $128,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ALY wrote it up.

The storm that had brought the ice and snow to eastern New York on January 31 rapidly deepened as it moved into the Gulf of Maine by late February 1. A steep pressure gradient, between that low and a high pressure ridge over the Ohio Valley, produced a high wind event across portions of Eastern New York, mainly the higher terrain. The combination of the wind and residual ice buildup resulted in many downed trees across Hamilton, Fulton, Montgomery and Greene counties. The wind also blew off a tin roof in the town of Glen, Montgomery County where a gust to 72 mph was unofficially clocked. Up to 20,000 residences were without power across the Mohawk Valley as well as Hamilton County, due to the high winds. A peak wind gust of 70 mph was estimated at Indian Lake, Hamilton County. Frequent wind gusts to 65 mph were measured at East Jewitt, Greene County.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Feb 1, 2:55 PM EST, 1 hour 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 1, 2:55 PM EST, 1 hour 50 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
255 PM EST FRI FEB 01 2002

.DISC...WL CONT WITH HIGH WIND WRNGS FOR THE ADIRONDACKS AND WIND
ADVISORIES ELSEWHERE.  GRADIENT WL TIGHTEN UP CONSIDERABLY ACRS FCST
AREA THIS EVENING...AND REACH IT/S PEAK BTWN 00Z AND 06Z.  GOOD
MIXING BEHIND FNT WL BRING STRONG LOW-LEVEL JET WINDS TO THE SFC
DURG THE EVENING.

SHWRS WL END EARLY THIS EVE AND WINDS WL INCREASE RATHER RAPIDLY...
SO HAVE INCLUDED A REST OF THE AFTN PERIOD TO COVER THIS.  FOR TNGT
HAVE FCST CLRG SKIES.  MODELS INDICATE DRYING WL OCCUR OVERNIGHT...
EVEN IN THE LOW LEVELS...AND INVERSION WL BE RATHER LOW...SO HAVE
NOT INCLUDED ANY LAKE EFFECT WX IN ANY ZONES.  ONLY THE ADIRONDACKS
HAVE A CHC OF SNOW SHWRS FOR TNGT.

MSTLY SUNNY AND STILL A BREEZY DAY SAT...BUT WINDS WL DIMINISH LATE
IN THE DAY AS A SMALL HIGH PRES RIDGE SETTLES OVER THE FCST AREA BY
EVENING.  NEXT WK SYSTEM KEEPS SPEEDING UP BASED ON MODEL FCSTS.
CLOUDS ALREADY FCST TO INCREASE SAT NIGHT...WITH CLDS/SCT SNOW SHWRS
FOR SUNDAY.

.ALY...HIGH WIND WARNING TNGT NORTHERN HERKIMER AND HAMILTON
       COUNTIES.

       WIND ADVISORY TNGT ALL OTHER ZONES.

MAGLARAS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 1, 11:57 AM EST, 4 hours 48 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP A
1156AM     FRI FEB 01 2002
#1 0000001 000
AHQT WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00671    FILE 28   SP BATAVIA NY1180100            FEB 01-02   ADDED
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         ATTENTION SEMO DUTY OFFICER

                          WINTER STORM REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: NIAGARA

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD):

HEAVY SNOWFALL INFORMATION:
      SNOWFALL BEGAN:   :    M  ST LOCAL TIME
 SNOWFALL SINCE 7 AM:     INCHES
ESTIMATED VISIBILITY:        MILE(S)
ESTIMATED WIND SPEED:     MPH
ROADS/AREAS AFFECTED:

  SNOWFALL LAST HOUR:     INCHES
          SNOW ENDED:   :    M  ST LOCAL TIME

OTHER WINTER PERCIPITATION INFORMATION:
FREEZING RAIN:
( ) - NO ACCUMULATION     (X) - DANGEROUS ON ROADS
(X) - ACCUMULATION TREES  (X) - TREES DAMAGED
(X) - ACC. POLES/WIRES    (X) - POLES/WIRE DAMAGED
IF ACCUMULATION, NUMBER OF INCHES: 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH
DETAILS IF DAMAGE: TREES AND WIRES DOWN, NUMEROUS ROADS BLOCKED BY TREES
AND WIRES CAUSED BY HEAVY ICE AND HIGH WINDS

RAIN/SNOW MIXED:
( ) - NO ACCUMULATION      ( ) - ACCUMULATION -      INCHES

AREAS REPORTING FREEZING RAIN OR RAIN/SNOW MIXED: NIAGARA COUNTY

SLEET REPORTED AT:

OTHER REMARKS (INCLUDING DEATHS OR INJURIES):

NIAGARA COUNTY HAS TRAVEL BAN FOR ALL OF NIAGARA COUNTY

AUTH PHONE #: 585 344-6200

AUTH MAJOR MICHAEL F MCMANUS                        HARTMAN  9-47AM

OPER - HARTMAN,KATHRYN M              1155

Local storm report, Feb 1, 12:40 PM EST, 4 hours 5 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP A
1238PM     FRI FEB 01 2002
#1 0000001 000
AHQT WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00673    FILE 28   SP BATAVIA NY1180100                      FEB 01-02
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         ATTENTION SEMO DUTY OFFICER

                          WINTER STORM REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ERIE

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD):AKRON, CLARENCE AND NEWSTEAD

HEAVY SNOWFALL INFORMATION:
      SNOWFALL BEGAN:   :    M  ST LOCAL TIME
 SNOWFALL SINCE 7 AM:     INCHES
ESTIMATED VISIBILITY:        MILE(S)
ESTIMATED WIND SPEED:     MPH
ROADS/AREAS AFFECTED:

  SNOWFALL LAST HOUR:     INCHES
          SNOW ENDED:   :    M  ST LOCAL TIME

OTHER WINTER PERCIPITATION INFORMATION:
FREEZING RAIN:
( ) - NO ACCUMULATION     (X) - DANGEROUS ON ROADS
(X) - ACCUMULATION TREES  (X) - TREES DAMAGED
(X) - ACC. POLES/WIRES    (X) - POLES/WIRE DAMAGED
IF ACCUMULATION, NUMBER OF INCHES: 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH
DETAILS IF DAMAGE: TREES AND WIRES DOWN, NUMEROUS ROADS BLOCKED BY TREES
WIRES AND POLES

RAIN/SNOW MIXED:
( ) - NO ACCUMULATION      ( ) - ACCUMULATION -      INCHES

AREAS REPORTING FREEZING RAIN OR RAIN/SNOW MIXED: ERIE COUNTY

SLEET REPORTED AT:

OTHER REMARKS (INCLUDING DEATHS OR INJURIES):

AKRON, CLARENCE AND NEWSTEAD HAVE DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY
NO UNNECESSARY TRAVEL

CITY OF TONAWANDA-TRAVEL ADVISORY-NO UNNECESSARY TRAVEL

AUTH PHONE #: 585 344-6200

AUTH MAJOR MICHAEL F MCMANUS                        HARTMAN 12-39AM

OPER - HARTMAN,KATHRYN M              1237

Local storm report, Feb 1, 3:44 PM EST, 1 hour 1 minute before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP D
0343PM     FRI FEB 01 2002
#2 0000002 000
DWAT WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00636    FILE 28   SP WATERTOWN NY1220100                    FEB 01-02
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: JEFFERSON, LEWIS, OSWEGO

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): ALL

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED:  1-00PM
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER:  TREES AND UTILITY POLES/LINES DOWN
TRACTOR TRAILERS BLOWN OVER SIGNS/TRAFFIC SIGNALS DAMAGED  ROOFS OF HOMES AND
BUSINESSES DAMAGED/REMOVED THROUGHOUT THE TRI-COUNTY AREA

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

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:  50 MPH OR    KNOTS
NUMBER KILLED: 0        NUMBER INJURED: 0

REMARKS:

AUTH PHONE #: 315 782-2112

AUTH SGT ROBERT DIXON                               SHAFFREY 3-42PM

OPER - SHAFFREY,JANNA S               1542

Local storm report, Feb 1, 3:54 PM EST, 51 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP A
0352PM     FRI FEB 01 2002
#1 0000001 000
AHQT WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00678    FILE 28   SP BATAVIA NY1180100               FEB 01-02   ADDED
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         ATTENTION SEMO DUTY OFFICER

                          WINTER STORM REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: NIAGARA

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD):

HEAVY SNOWFALL INFORMATION:
      SNOWFALL BEGAN:   :    M  ST LOCAL TIME
 SNOWFALL SINCE 7 AM:     INCHES
ESTIMATED VISIBILITY:        MILE(S)
ESTIMATED WIND SPEED:     MPH
ROADS/AREAS AFFECTED:

  SNOWFALL LAST HOUR:     INCHES
          SNOW ENDED:   :    M  ST LOCAL TIME

OTHER WINTER PERCIPITATION INFORMATION:
FREEZING RAIN:
( ) - NO ACCUMULATION     (X) - DANGEROUS ON ROADS
(X) - ACCUMULATION TREES  (X) - TREES DAMAGED
(X) - ACC. POLES/WIRES    (X) - POLES/WIRE DAMAGED
IF ACCUMULATION, NUMBER OF INCHES: 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH
DETAILS IF DAMAGE: TREES AND WIRES DOWN, NUMEROUS ROADS BLOCKED BY TREES
AND WIRES

RAIN/SNOW MIXED:
( ) - NO ACCUMULATION      ( ) - ACCUMULATION -      INCHES

AREAS REPORTING FREEZING RAIN OR RAIN/SNOW MIXED: NIAGARA COUNTY

SLEET REPORTED AT:

OTHER REMARKS (INCLUDING DEATHS OR INJURIES):

NIAGARA COUNTY HAS TRAVEL ADVISORY
TRAVEL BANS IN CITY OF LOCKPORT AND NORTH TONAWANDA

NIAGARA COUNTY HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY

AUTH PHONE #: 585 344-6200

AUTH MAJOR MICHAEL F MCMANUS                        HARTMAN  3-55PM

OPER - HARTMAN,KATHRYN M              1552

Local storm report, Feb 1, 4:30 PM EST, 15 minutes before

NEW YORK STATEWIDE POLICE INFORMATION NETWORK
TROOP D
0428PM     FRI FEB 01 2002
#1 0000001 000
DNOS WLSR QHQT QTRF APTS WAPT
00686    FILE 28   SP NORTH SYRACUSE NY1330100               FEB 01-02
TO       NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
         COPY SEMO DUTY OFFICER
                   THUNDERSTORM/HIGH WIND REPORT

COUNTY(S) AFFECTED: ONONDAGA

LOCATION (INCLUDING TOWN AND NEAREST ROAD): ALL

DATE AND TIME CONDITION STARTED: APPROX 1PM
EXTENT OF DAMAGE OR AREAS IN DANGER: TREES AND UTILITY POLES/LINES DOWN/POWER
OUTAGES, SIGNS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS OUT OR DOWN

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
(X) - POWER/TELCO LINES

RELIABLE WIND SPEED REPORTS:  50 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:

AUTH PHONE #: 315 455-2826

AUTH SGT J TRACY CASS       MCAVOY   427PM

OPER - CARY,LOIS P                    1628

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Hamilton

When: February 1, 4:45 PM EST to 11:59 PM EST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.661, -74.497 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Montgomery

When: February 1, 8:25 PM EST to 11:59 PM EST
Where: Montgomery forecast zone
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.902, -74.440 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Fulton

When: February 1, 9:00 PM EST to 11:59 PM EST
Where: Fulton forecast zone
Property damage: $27,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.114, -74.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Western Greene

When: February 1, 10:15 PM EST to 11:59 PM EST
Where: Western Greene forecast zone
Property damage: $32,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.277, -74.123 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Eastern Albany

When: February 1, 10:15 PM EST to 11:59 PM EST
Where: Eastern Albany forecast zone
Property damage: $9,000
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.600, -73.974 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New York in 2002 Every state in 2002 This day in weather history Warnings in New York, February 2002

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5283013, 5283015, 5283014, 5283016, 5283017.