High Wind in New York, November 13, 2003

Name: High Wind in New York, November 13, 2003
Start: 2003-11-13T02:36
End: 2003-11-13T09:30
Location: New York

November 13, 2003 · NWS BUF · 16 events in 16 counties and zones

Deep low pressure tracked across southern Ontario and brought strong, damaging winds to the entire area. The winds downed trees and power lines.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 16 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: 1
Injuries: 2
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 16

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 BUF wrote it up.

Deep low pressure tracked across southern Ontario and brought strong, damaging winds to the entire area. The winds downed trees and power lines. Over 100,000 customers were left without power. The falling trees and poles damaged homes and automobiles. Specific reports of damage were received from Shortsville, Pittsford, Batavia, Buffalo, Tonawanda, Jamestown, Attica, Avon, Sodus and Silver Creek. In Oswego, a 165-foot cell phone tower was toppled, destroying a county Sheriff SUV. In Stockton, 35 cattle were killed in a barn collapse. Barn collapses were also reported in Elma and Pittsford. Tractor trailers jack-knifed or were blown over in Victor, East Bloomfield, Lyons, Buffalo and LeRoy. Roofs were blown off houses in Rochester and Oswego. School districts in several counties closed. Several major radio and television stations were knocked off the air including Channel 13 in Rochester. At the Buffalo-Niagara Airport, a jet was turned by the wind. The wing struck a boarding bridge and the plane and bridge were damaged. The Buffalo Airport operated on backup generators for several hours. Numerous flights at both the Buffalo and Rochester airports were delayed. In Gaines, a double wide mobile home was split and overturned. A gasoline pump in Rochester was blown over. The gas spilled and ignited. Several other fires, though not started by weather conditions, were fueled and spread by the strong winds. The strong winds blew out windows in parts of Wayne and Monroe counties. One person was injured in Rochester being hit by flying glass. Another injury due to the storm occurred in Buffalo when a woman was blown over and suffered a broken leg. A 37-year old woman was killed in Victor when a tree fell onto her car as she was driving by. She suffered massive head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses said she had no time to even brake or swerve.

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 Buffalo, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 12, 10:45 PM EST, 3 hours 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 12, 10:45 PM EST, 3 hours 51 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
1045 PM EST WED NOV 12 2003

UPDATE TO REMOVE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 946.

PREVIOUS AFD FOLLOWS...
THE COLD AIR MOVES IN QUICKLY THURSDAY, CHANGING THE PRECIPITATION
TO SNOW OVER CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY BEFORE SUNRISE AND EAST OF LAKE
ONTARIO BY MID DAY.  A GENERAL SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 3 INCHES EXPECTED,
BUT OROGRAPHIC CONVERGENCE SHOULD INCREASE THE AMOUNTS TO 2 TO 4
INCHES OVER HIGHER TERRAIN.  THE GENERAL SNOW SHOULD END DURING
THURSDAY IN THE WEST AND THURSDAY EVENING EAST OF LAKE ONTARIO, BUT
LAKE SNOWS WILL KEEP IT GOING OVERNIGHT IN CHAUTAUQUA AN CATTARAUGUS
COUNTIES, AND OVER OSWEGO AND CAYUGA COUNTIES.  THE STRONG WINDS
WILL GIVE INCREASED SHEAR AND LIMIT THE TIME OF FETCH OVER THE
LAKES, SO LAKE SNOW AMOUNTS SHOULD BE LIMITED.  THE HIGH PRESSURE
BUILDS IN FRIDAY NIGHT AND SHOULD SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN EXCEPT FOR
SOME A CHANCE OF LINGERING SHOWERS IN THE NORTH COUNTRY.

THE GFS SHOWS A CLIPPER MOVING ACROSS THE AREA SATURDAY NIGHT SO WE
HAVE INTRODUCED A CHANCE OF SHOWERS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY.

.BUF...HIGH WIND WARNING NYZ001>004-010>014-019>021-085 TONIGHT
       THROUGH THURSDAY.
       HIGH WIND WARNING NYZ005>008 THURSDAY.
       STORM WARNING LAKE ONTARIO THURSDAY.
       WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NYZ001>008>010-011-013-014 THURSDAY.
       WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NYZ012-085-019-021 THURSDAY AND
          THURSDAY NIGHT.
       LAKE SHORE FLOOD WARNING NYZ010-085 LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY.

Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 12, 6:34 AM EST, 20 hours 2 minutes before

NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-121330-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
634 AM EST WED NOV 12 2003

A DEEPENING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE NORTHERN GREAT
LAKES THIS AFTERNOON THEN TRACK EAST ACROSS SOUTHERN ONTARIO TONIGHT.
THE LOW WILL CONTINUE TO STREGTHEN AS IT REACHES SOUTHWEST QUEBEC BY
THURSDAY MORNING. THE LOW WILL SWEEP A POWERFUL COLD FRONT ACROSS THE
AREA TONIGHT. BEHIND THE COLD FRONT...MUCH COLDER AIR AND VERY STRONG
WINDS WILL DEVELOPING INTO WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK AFTER
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

A LINE OF SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO FORM ALONG THE COLD
FRONT AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE AREA BETWEEN 8 PM AND MIDNIGHT. IF
THESE THUNDERSTORMS CAN MAINTAIN THEIR ORGANIZATION AS THEY MOVE INTO
WESTERN NEW YORK...A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK IS
LIKELY.

THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS. HOWEVER...
ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

AFTER THE FRONTAL PASSAGE...WEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 25
TO 40 MPH AFTER 3 AM TONIGHT...WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH POSSIBLE.
STRONGER WINDS ARE LIKELY DURING THE DAY THURSDAY AND EVENING WITH
SUSTAINED SPEEDS OF 30 TO 45 MPH...WITH POSSIBLE WIND GUSTS OVER 55
MPH. A HIGH WIND WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA STARTING LATE
TONIGHT.

ACCUMULATING LAKE EFFECT SNOW ARE EXPECTED DOWNWIND OF THE LAKES
THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. SOME AREAS COULD SEE SNOWFALL AMOUNTS IN
EXCESS OF 6 INCHES BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE LIKELY.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Nov 12, 10:55 PM EST, 3 hours 41 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
1055 PM EST WED NOV 12 2003

NYC003-009-013-029-037-051-055-063-073-121-130400-

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 946 HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:

IN NEW YORK THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 COUNTIES...
IN WESTERN NEW YORK:

ALLEGANY              CATTARAUGUS           CHAUTAUQUA
ERIE                  GENESEE               LIVINGSTON
MONROE                NIAGARA               ORLEANS
WYOMING

Local storm report, Nov 12, 11:28 PM EST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
1128 PM EST WED NOV 12 2003

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

0941 PM    5 W BATAVIA               NY   0.75 INCH HAIL
11/12/03   GENESEE                        REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

LEVAN

Local storm report, Nov 12, 11:34 PM EST, 3 hours 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY
1134 PM EST WED NOV 12 2003

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

1030 PM    LIVONIA                   NY   0.75 INCH HAIL
11/12/03   LIVINGSTON                     REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

LEVAN

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Erie

When: November 13, 2:36 AM EST
Where: Erie forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 42.758, -78.780 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Chautauqua

When: November 13, 5:01 AM EST
Where: Chautauqua forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 42.303, -79.406 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Niagara

When: November 13, 6:41 AM EST
Where: Niagara forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.173, -78.691 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Lewis

When: November 13, 7:05 AM EST
Where: Lewis forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.785, -75.449 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Allegany

When: November 13, 7:45 AM EST
Where: Allegany forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.257, -78.028 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Livingston

When: November 13, 8:10 AM EST
Where: Livingston forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.728, -77.775 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Monroe

When: November 13, 8:30 AM EST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 43.165, -77.636 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Northern Cayuga

When: November 13, 8:30 AM EST
Where: Northern Cayuga forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.010, -76.574 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Cattaraugus

When: November 13, 8:45 AM EST
Where: Cattaraugus forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.249, -78.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Ontario

When: November 13, 8:47 AM EST
Where: Ontario forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 42.853, -77.300 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Jefferson

When: November 13, 8:49 AM EST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates: 43.999, -76.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wyoming

When: November 13, 8:50 AM EST
Where: Wyoming forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 42.702, -78.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Orleans

When: November 13, 9:00 AM EST
Where: Orleans forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.251, -78.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Oswego

When: November 13, 9:21 AM EST
Where: Oswego forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.464, -76.209 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Wayne

When: November 13, 9:30 AM EST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.066, -76.978 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Genesee

When: November 13, 9:30 AM EST
Where: Genesee forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 43.001, -78.194 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
High Wind, Ontario	2003-11-13	37	Female	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

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 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history Warnings in New York, November 2003

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: 5336025, 5336030, 5336017, 5336024, 5336032, 5336028, 5336019, 5336021, 5336031, 5336029, 5336023, 5336027, 5336018, 5336022, 5336020, 5336026.