Hail and Damaging Winds in New York, May 26, 2011

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in New York, May 26, 2011
Start: 2011-05-26T15:15
End: 2011-05-26T22:59
Location: New York

May 26, 2011 · NWS ALY · 37 events in 12 counties and zones

A nearly stationary frontal boundary was draped across western and northern New York State as several waves of low pressure moved easterly along the boundary. In addition, a warm front lifted northeastward across the east central New York during the morning hours.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 37

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.

Two rounds of severe thunderstorms occurred across east central New York during the afternoon and evening hours of Thursday, May 26th. The first round occurred during the mid to late afternoon hours, in which embedded supercellular development occurred, especially across the southern and western Adirondacks with reports of large hail. The second round of severe weather occurred during the late evening hours. A large bowing segment of thunderstorms tracked east from the Catskills and Schoharie Valley into western New England causing wind damage and power outages. Power was not restored in some areas until Friday night, May 27th.

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 May 26, 2:47 PM EST, 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 26, 2:47 PM EST, 28 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
347 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

.SYNOPSIS...
A WARM FRONT WILL BECOME NEARLY STATIONARY ACROSS NORTHERN NEW YORK
AND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY. THIS WILL ALLOW ABOVE
NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS TO PERSIST INTO THE
WEEKEND. SEVERAL DISTURBANCES MOVING ALONG THIS BOUNDARY WILL
PRODUCE SHOWERS...AND SCATTERED STRONG TO POTENTIALLY SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO SATURDAY. AN UPPER LEVEL RIDGE WILL LIKELY BUILD
IN SUNDAY INTO MONDAY BRINGING EVEN WARMER TEMPERATURES...BUT WITH A
LOWER PROBABILITY OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HEADING INTO MEMORIAL
DAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
AS OF 345 PM...TORNADO WATCH 382 CONTINUES ACROSS MUCH OF EAST
CENTRAL NEW YORK...EXCLUDING COLUMBIA AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES AT
THIS TIME.

AREAS OF CONVECTION HAVE DEVELOPED...MAINLY FOCUSED ACROSS THE
HIGHER TERRAIN AND NEAR LAKE BREEZE BOUNDARIES AS LARGE SCALE ASCENT
REMAINS RATHER WEAK. HOWEVER...THESE SUBTLE SURFACE FEATURES
COMBINED WITH ROBUST INSTABILITY OF 1500-3000 AND DEEP LAYER 0-6 KM
SHEAR OF 35 TO 45 KT WILL LEAD TO A SEVERE WEATHER THREAT AS
COVERAGE OF STORMS CONTINUE TO EXPAND. INITIALLY CONVECTION WILL
AFFECT MAINLY THE ADIRONDACKS INTO THE WESTERN MOHAWK
VALLEY...ALTHOUGH HRRR SHOWING THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL STORMS
TO DEVELOP ACROSS SOUTHERN NY/NORTHERN PA AND POSSIBLY CONSOLIDATE
INTO A QUASI-LINEAR CONVECTIVE SYSTEM. THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY SUPPORT
SEVERE CONVECTION REACHING THE CAPITAL REGION AND POINTS EAST LATER
THIS EVENING. UNTIL THEN...DISCRETE CELLS WITH SUPERCELL AND BOWING
STRUCTURES WILL BE LIKELY. SHEAR IS STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT
ROTATING STORMS WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES POSSIBLE. WILL HAVE TO WATCH
FOR HEAVY RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH TRAINING CELLS FOR POTENTIAL
ISOLATED FLASH FLOODING AS WELL...ALTHOUGH THE SEVERE THREAT WILL BE
MORE UBIQUITOUS INTO THIS EVENING.

CONVECTION SHOULD EVENTUALLY START TO WEAKEN LATER THIS EVENING
WITH LOSS OF HEATING...BUT THIS PROCESS COULD BE GRADUAL. ALSO...THE
MODE EVOLUTION WILL NEED TO BE MONITORED FOR POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL
SEVERE/TORNADO WATCH SOUTH AND EAST OF THE CURRENT WATCH AREA.
COVERAGE SHOULD ALSO DIMINISH BY AROUND MIDNIGHT AS FORCING FROM
SUBTLE SURFACE FEATURES WEAKEN IN THE ABSENCE OF LARGE SCALE ASCENT.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
AS OF 345 PM...ANOTHER ACTIVE CONVECTIVE DAY SHAPING UP ACROSS MUCH
OF THE AREA...ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS THE THREAT AREA WILL SHIFT A BIT
FARTHER SOUTH AND EAST THAN THURSDAY...WITH THE MOHAWK
VALLEY...SARATOGA AND CAPITAL REGION EXPECTED TO BE TARGETED. THE
REASON IS 12Z GUIDANCE SHOWING THE OLD FRONTAL BOUNDARY INITIALLY
ACROSS NORTHERN NEW YORK TO ACTUALLY SHIFT A BIT SOUTHWARD INTO THE
CENTRAL AND MAYBE EVEN SOUTHERN ADIRONDACKS. THIS WILL LIMIT THE
INSTABILITY FOR AREAS NORTH AND WEST OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY...BUT
AREAS SOUTH AND EAST SHOULD SEE APPRECIABLE INSTABILITY DEVELOPING
AS THE OVERALL AIR MASS WILL NOT CHANGE MUCH SOUTH OF THE FRONT.
FORECAST SBCAPE COULD RANGE FROM 1500-3000 J/KG. THE NAM HAS POCKETS
OF HIGHER VALUES OF CAPE BUT SURFACE DEWPOINTS IN THE MODELS SEEM
OVERDONE. NONETHELESS...THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT SBCAPE IN THE WARM
SECTOR ALONG WITH 0-6 KM SHEAR OF 35-45 KT. SYNOPTICALLY WE WILL BE
NEAR THE RIGHT ENTRANCE REGION OF AN UPPER LEVEL JET ACROSS
QUEBEC...AND THERE WILL BE LARGE SCALE ASCENT AHEAD OF THE UPPER
LEVEL TROF MOVING EAST FROM THE OHIO VALLEY. THE UPPER TROF WILL BE
GETTING SHEARED AS IS ENCOUNTERS A BUILDING RIDGE ALONG THE EAST
COAST...BUT THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT FORCING TO FIRE CONVECTION.
CONVECTIVE MODE COULD BE SUPERCELLS AND BOWS AGAIN GIVEN
INSTABILITY/SHEAR PARAMETERS. WILL CONTINUE TO MENTION CHANCE FOR
SEVERE STORMS IN HWO. PWATS REMAIN ABOVE NORMAL...WITH SOME HEAVY
DOWNPOURS EXPECTED WITHIN CONVECTION.

A LOT DEPENDS ON OVERALL EVOLUTION OF CONVECTION FRIDAY AFTERNOON
INTO THE EVENING...WHICH IS UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME...BUT GUIDANCE
SUGGESTING A DIMINISHING TREND AT LEAST TOWARDS LATE EVENING. WILL
MAINTAIN MAINLY CHANCE POPS OVERNIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

ON SATURDAY...GUIDANCE SUGGESTING THE FRONT WILL PUSH BACK NORTHWARD
AS A WARM FRONT. STILL WARM...HUMID AND RELATIVELY UNSTABLE AIR MASS
WILL EXIST SO ANY FORCING WILL BE SUBTLE AND TIED TO REMNANT OUTFLOW
BOUNDARIES OR TERRAIN HEATING DIFFERENTIALS. WILL MENTION SLIGHT
CHANCE POPS ACROSS SOUTHEAST AREAS WITH CHANCE FROM THE HUDSON
VALLEY NORTH AND WEST. INSTABILITY MAY NOT BE AS ROBUST THOUGH...AS
HEIGHTS ALOFT WILL BE RISING AND THERE COULD BE A CAP DEVELOPING.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
HAVE GONE MOSTLY WITH HPC GUIDANCE. HPC HAS REGION AT EASTERN
END OF WARM FRONT EXTENDING FROM SFC LOW NEAR THE IA/WI/IL
BORDER. GFS BRINGS THETAE VALUES APPROACHING 350 DEG K INTO
CENTRAL NEW YORK SUNDAY AFTERNOON...BUT ECMWF MORE CONSERVATIVE
WITH VALUES OF 335. SFC BASED CAPES APPROACH 2000 J/KG JUST
SOUTH OF FCST AREA SUNDAY...EXCEED 2300 J/KG IN NORTHWESTERN
CT MONDAY...AND EXCEED 3500 J/KG JUST WEST OF HERKIMER CO ON
TUESDAY. FRONTAL BOUNDARY STALLS NORTH OF THE REGION SUNDAY
NIGHT WITH REGION IN THE WARM SECTOR ASSOCIATED WITH BERMUDA
HIGH MOVING FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES INTO THE ATLANTIC
UNTIL WEDNESDAY WHEN A LOW MOVING ACROSS EASTERN CANADA AND
A HIGH MOVING ACROSS THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BRING A
COLD FRONT THROUGH THE REGION. THERE IS SLIGHT DISAGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE GFS AND THE ECMWF WITH THE GFS BEING A BIT LATER
ON THE FRONTAL PASSAGE.

HAVE GONE TO A MORE GENERIC DIURNAL/UNSTABLE APPROACH FOR
POPS...WITH NO POP/SLIGHT CHC DURING THE LATE NIGHT AND
EARLY MORNING HOURS TO CHANCE POPS DURING THE AFTERNOONS
CHARACTERISTIC OF AN UNSTABLE AIR MASS. DUE TO VERY HIGH
PWAT VALUES...MOSTLY AROUND 1.5 INCHES...HAVE GONE TO
MODERATE SHOWER INTENSITY THRU THE PERIOD.

HUMIDITY GETS OPPRESSIVE DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS STARTING
MONDAY...APPARENT TEMPS APPROACH 90 MONDAY AND TUESDAY
BEFORE THE FRONTAL PASSAGE PROVIDES RELIEF FOR WEDNESDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
A WARM FRONT WILL MOVE NORTHWARD TOWARDS THE ST LAWRENCE RIVER
VALLEY TODAY. THE BOUNDARY WILL BECOME STATIONARY WITH A SERIES OF
DISTURBANCES MOVING ALONG IT PRODUCING SCATTERED SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS...ESPECIALLY NORTH OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY AND WEST OF
KGFL.

VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO PREVAIL AT THE TAF SITES THROUGH THE
DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE BEST CHANCES OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL
BE NORTH AND WEST OF KGFL...WITH SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
LESS LIKELY AT THE TAF SITES. WE WILL CONTINUE A VCSH AT KGFL FOR
LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND FOR BOTH KGFL AND KALB THIS EVENING. THE
LATEST HRRR SUGGESTS A MCS MAY AFFECT THE REGION THIS EVENING.
WILL BACK OFF ON THE PRECIP FOR LATER TONIGHT BUT EXPECT MVFR
OR EVEN IFR MAY RESULT IN FOG AND MIST. WILL KEEP THE MORNING DRY
AT THIS TIME WITH A SCT040CB LATER IN THE MORNING AS SOLAR HEATING
CAUSES CU BUILDUPS STARTING AROUND 15Z.

SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM THE S/SE AT 10-15 KTS WITH GUSTS
IN THE 20-25 KT RANGE...ESPECIALLY AT KALB. THEY WILL BECOME LIGHT
AT 5 KTS OR LESS AFTER 06Z...THEN PICK UP AGAIN AFTER 12Z TO AROUND
8 TO 10 KTS.

OUTLOOK...
FRI-SUN...VFR/MVFR. ISOLATED TO SCATTERED -SHRA/TSRA MOSTLY
AFTERNOONS AND EVES WITH PATCHY FOG DURING THE LATE NIGHTS.
MON...VFR...NO SIG WX.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A WARM FRONT WILL BECOME NEARLY STATIONARY ACROSS NORTHERN NEW YORK
AND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY. THIS WILL ALLOW ABOVE
NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS TO PERSIST INTO THE
WEEKEND. SEVERAL DISTURBANCES MOVING ALONG THIS BOUNDARY WILL
PRODUCE SHOWERS...AND SCATTERED STRONG TO POTENTIALLY SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS INTO SATURDAY. THE AREA FOR THE BEST POTENTIAL FOR
SEEING MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF WETTING RAINFALL APPEARS TO BE FROM THE
MOHAWK VALLEY NORTHWARD TO THE ADIRONDACKS. EVEN AREAS TO THE
SOUTHEAST COULD SEE SOME APPRECIABLE RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH
THUNDERSTORMS FROM TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
SEVERAL ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE
ALBANY HYDRO SERVICE AREA THE NEXT FEW DAYS...AS A WARM FRONT
BECOMES STATIONARY ACROSS NORTHERN NEW YORK AND NORTHERN NEW
ENGLAND. MULTIPLE DISTURBANCES MOVING ALONG THE BOUNDARY WILL FOCUS
THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

THE MOHAWK RIVER VALLEY NORTHWARD INTO THE ADIRONDACKS COULD RECEIVE
MULTIPLE INCHES OF RAINFALL INTO SATURDAY. THUNDERSTORMS MAY TRAIN
OVER THE SAME AREAS TODAY INTO SATURDAY. PRECIPITABLE WATER AMOUNTS
WILL BE WELL ABOVE NORMAL...SO THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY
DOWNPOURS WHICH WILL LIKELY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON POORLY DRAINED
LOW LYING AREAS WITH EVEN ISOLATED FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE.
HOWEVER...THE THREAT AREA IS STILL SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN...AND THE
POTENTIAL FOR WIDESPREAD FLASH FLOODING IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS
TIME. RAPID RISES ARE LIKELY ON SMALLER STREAMS WHERE THE HEAVY RAIN
FALLS...WITH VERY LITTLE RESPONSE ON THE LARGE MAIN STEM RIVERS.

HOT AND DRIER WEATHER MAY MOVE INTO THE REGION AS EARLY AS
SUNDAY....WHICH WILL ALLOW ANY ELEVATED FLOWS TO DECREASE THROUGH
THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

FLOODING ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE HOLIDAY
WEEKEND. PLEASE REFER TO WARNINGS AND STATEMENTS FROM OUR OFFICE IN
BURLINGTON VERMONT FOR DETAILS.

FOR DETAILS ON SPECIFIC AREA RIVERS AND LAKES...INCLUDING
OBSERVED AND FORECAST RIVER STAGES AND LAKE ELEVATIONS...PLEASE
VISIT THE ADVANCED HYDROLOGIC PREDICTION SERVICE /AHPS/ GRAPHS ON
OUR WEBSITE.

&&

.ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...NONE.
NY...NONE.
MA...NONE.
VT...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JPV
NEAR TERM...JPV
SHORT TERM...JPV
LONG TERM...RCK
AVIATION...RCK
FIRE WEATHER...JPV
HYDROLOGY...RCK/JPV

Hazardous weather outlook, May 26, 3:07 PM EST, 8 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
407 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

NYZ032-033-038>043-047>054-058-059-063-064-082>084-271100-
NORTHERN HERKIMER-HAMILTON-SOUTHERN HERKIMER-SOUTHERN FULTON-
MONTGOMERY-NORTHERN SARATOGA-NORTHERN WARREN-NORTHERN WASHINGTON-
SCHOHARIE-WESTERN SCHENECTADY-EASTERN SCHENECTADY-SOUTHERN SARATOGA-
WESTERN ALBANY-EASTERN ALBANY-WESTERN RENSSELAER-EASTERN RENSSELAER-
WESTERN GREENE-EASTERN GREENE-WESTERN ULSTER-EASTERN ULSTER-
NORTHERN FULTON-SOUTHEAST WARREN-SOUTHERN WASHINGTON-
407 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...TORNADO WATCH 382 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MOST OF EAST CENTRAL NEW
YORK.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON INTO
THIS EVENING ALONG A WARM FRONT...THAT WILL BECOME STATIONARY NEAR
THE SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER VALLEY. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING
WINDS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER...HAIL STONES GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO
ONE INCH IN DIAMETER...ISOLATED TORNADOES...AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING. THERE WILL ALSO BE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WITH SOME
OF THUNDERSTORMS...WHICH MAY YIELD POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING...AND
PERHAPS AN ISOLATED FLASH FLOOD.

THE STORMS WILL MOVE FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST AT 35 TO
45 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY AFTERNOON
INTO FRIDAY EVENING ALONG A FRONTAL BOUNDARY OVER NORTHERN NEW
YORK THAT WILL SLOWLY SHIFT SOUTHWARD. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE
HAIL STONES GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO THE SIZE OF
QUARTERS...DAMAGING WINDS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER...AND FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. THERE WILL ALSO BE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL
WITH SOME OF THUNDERSTORMS...WHICH MAY RESULT IN POOR DRAINAGE
FLOODING...AND PERHAPS AN ISOLATED FLASH FLOOD.

THE STORMS WILL MOVE FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST AT 30 TO
40 MPH.

THERE IS ALSO A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE MEMORIAL DAY
WEEKEND...MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. A FEW STORMS
MAY STILL BE STRONG TO SEVERE ON SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTES...ALBANY...FULTON...GREENE...HAMILTON...HERKIMER...
MONTGOMERY...RENSSELAER...SARATOGA...SCHENECTADY...SCHOHARIE...
ULSTER...WARREN AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.

CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ060-061-065-066-VTZ013>015-271100-
NORTHERN LITCHFIELD-SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD-NORTHERN BERKSHIRE-
SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE-WESTERN COLUMBIA-EASTERN COLUMBIA-
WESTERN DUTCHESS-EASTERN DUTCHESS-BENNINGTON-WESTERN WINDHAM-
EASTERN WINDHAM-
407 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWESTERN
CONNECTICUT...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS...COLUMBIA AND DUTCHESS
COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK AND SOUTHERN VERMONT.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING
IN A WARM AND HUMID AIR MASS THAT HAS MOVED INTO THE REGION. THE
MAIN THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER...HAIL
STONES GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO ONE INCH IN DIAMETER...AND
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. THERE WILL ALSO BE VERY HEAVY
RAINFALL WITH SOME OF THUNDERSTORMS...WHICH MAY YIELD POOR
DRAINAGE FLOODING...AND PERHAPS AN ISOLATED FLASH FLOOD.

THE STORMS WILL MOVE FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST AT 35 TO
45 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY AFTERNOON
INTO FRIDAY EVENING ALONG A FRONTAL BOUNDARY OVER NORTHERN NEW
YORK THAT WILL SLOWLY SHIFT SOUTHWARD. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE
HAIL STONES GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO THE SIZE OF
QUARTERS...DAMAGING WINDS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER...AND FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. THERE WILL ALSO BE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL
WITH SOME OF THUNDERSTORMS...WHICH MAY RESULT IN POOR DRAINAGE
FLOODING...AND PERHAPS AN ISOLATED FLASH FLOOD.

THE STORMS WILL MOVE FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST AT 30 TO
40 MPH.

THERE IS ALSO A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE MEMORIAL DAY
WEEKEND...MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. A FEW STORMS
MAY STILL BE STRONG TO SEVERE ON SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS EVENING.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 26, 1:35 PM EST, 1 hour 40 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
235 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

NYZ033-042-261900-
HAMILTON NY-NORTHERN WARREN NY-
235 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN

  NORTHEAST HAMILTON COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK...
  NORTHWEST WARREN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...

AT 229 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING...WINDS AROUND 50 MPH...AND HEAVY
RAIN.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LEWEY LAKE CAMPGROUND...OR ABOUT 7
MILES NORTHEAST OF SPECULATOR...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
INDIAN LAKE BY 240 PM EDT
8 MILES NORTHWEST OF NORTH CREEK BY 255 PM EDT

IF ON OR NEAR INDIAN LAKE...GET OUT OF THE WATER AND MOVE INDOORS OR
INSIDE A VEHICLE. REMEMBER...LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE OUT TO 15 MILES
FROM THE PARENT THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE
CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER NOW.
DON'T BE CAUGHT ON THE WATER IN A THUNDERSTORM!

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT THURSDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN NEW YORK.

LAT...LON 4381 7412 4380 7405 4378 7404 4375 7405
      4378 7373 4377 7372 4351 7431 4372 7444
      4383 7423 4382 7421 4383 7414
TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 232DEG 28KT 4369 7426

KL

Special weather statement, May 26, 2:38 PM EST, 37 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
338 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

NYZ033-042-262015-
HAMILTON NY-NORTHERN WARREN NY-
338 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN

  NORTHEAST HAMILTON COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK...
  EXTREME NORTHWEST WARREN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...

AT 336 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING...AROUND HALF INCH HAIL...WINDS
AROUND 50 MPH...AND HEAVY RAIN.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES SOUTH
OF INDIAN LAKE...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
INDIAN LAKE BY 350 PM EDT

IF ON OR NEAR INDIAN LAKE...GET OUT OF THE WATER AND MOVE INDOORS OR
INSIDE A VEHICLE. REMEMBER...LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE OUT TO 15 MILES
FROM THE PARENT THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE
CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER NOW.
DON'T BE CAUGHT ON THE WATER IN A THUNDERSTORM!

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT THURSDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN NEW YORK.

LAT...LON 4382 7421 4383 7419 4383 7414 4381 7412
      4381 7407 4363 7427 4371 7445 4390 7431
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 211DEG 22KT 4371 7430

Special weather statement, May 26, 2:47 PM EST, 28 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
347 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

NYZ040-047>049-262030-
MONTGOMERY NY-SCHOHARIE NY-WESTERN SCHENECTADY NY-
EASTERN SCHENECTADY NY-
347 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN

  CENTRAL AND EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK...
  NORTHERN SCHOHARIE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...
  WESTERN AND NORTHERN SCHENECTADY COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...

AT 345 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING...AROUND HALF INCH HAIL...WINDS
AROUND 50 MPH...AND HEAVY RAIN.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR SHARON
SPRINGS...OR ABOUT 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF COBLESKILL...AND MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
8 MILES NORTHWEST OF CENTRAL BRIDGE BY 355 PM EDT
6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FONDA BY 405 PM EDT
TRIBES HILL BY 410 PM EDT
AMSTERDAM AND FORT JOHNSON BY 415 PM EDT
HAGAMAN AND 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF ROTTERDAM JUNCTION BY 420 PM EDT

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT THURSDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN NEW YORK.

LAT...LON 4298 7434 4297 7414 4282 7391 4262 7463
      4270 7466 4278 7467
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 233DEG 37KT 4276 7452

Special weather statement, May 26, 3:14 PM EST, 1 minute before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
414 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

NYZ039>041-049-050-082-262100-
MONTGOMERY NY-SOUTHERN FULTON NY-NORTHERN FULTON NY-
EASTERN SCHENECTADY NY-SOUTHERN SARATOGA NY-NORTHERN SARATOGA NY-
414 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM IN

  EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK...
  SOUTHERAST FULTON COUNTY IN EASTERN NEW YORK...
  EXTREME NORTHWEST SCHENECTADY COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...
  WESTERN AND CENTRAL SARATOGA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK...

AT 408 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING...AROUND HALF INCH HAIL...WINDS
AROUND 50 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR FONDA...OR ABOUT OVER
FONDA...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
FORT JOHNSON AND AMSTERDAM BY 420 PM EDT
HAGAMAN BY 425 PM EDT
BROADALBIN BY 430 PM EDT
GALWAY BY 435 PM EDT
7 MILES NORTHWEST OF ROCK CITY FALLS BY 445 PM EDT
7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF EDINBURG BY 450 PM EDT

IF ON OR NEAR GREAT SACANDAGA LAKE...GET OUT OF THE WATER AND MOVE
INDOORS OR INSIDE A VEHICLE. REMEMBER...LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE OUT TO
15 MILES FROM THE PARENT THUNDERSTORM. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU
ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER
NOW. DON'T BE CAUGHT ON THE WATER IN A THUNDERSTORM!

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT THURSDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN NEW YORK.

LAT...LON 4326 7405 4304 7381 4281 7437 4291 7449
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 229DEG 33KT 4293 7434

The radar

The Albany radar (KENX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:12 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

28 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 26, 3:15 PM EST to 3:20 PM EST
Where: Hamilton County, 0.85 mi SE of Wells
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.390, -74.290

Penny size hail was reported in Wells during a thunderstorm.

Hail, Schoharie

When: May 26, 3:15 PM EST to 3:20 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 0.48 mi N of Carlisle
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.757, -74.450

Penny size hail was reported in Carlisle during a thunderstorm.

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 26, 3:26 PM EST to 3:31 PM EST
Where: Hamilton County, 2.56 mi WNW of Long Lake
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 43.986, -74.466

Golf ball size hail was reported during a thunderstorm at the Lake Eaton Campground.

Hail, Hamilton

When: May 26, 3:30 PM EST to 3:35 PM EST
Where: Hamilton County, 0.16 mi S of Long Lake
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.968, -74.421

Half dollar size hail was reported in Long Lake during a thunderstorm.

Hail, Schoharie

When: May 26, 3:47 PM EST to 3:52 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 0.46 mi E of North Blenheim
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.470, -74.441

Penny size hail was reported in North Blenheim during a thunderstorm.

Hail, Schoharie

When: May 26, 4:05 PM EST to 4:10 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 1.83 mi SSW of North Blenheim
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 42.446, -74.466

Penny size hail was reported at the New York Power Authority during a thunderstorm.

Hail, Schenectady

When: May 26, 4:38 PM EST to 4:43 PM EST
Where: Schenectady County, 1.23 mi NE of Glenville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.930, -74.050

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Glenville.

Hail, Fulton

When: May 26, 5:00 PM EST to 5:05 PM EST
Where: Fulton County, 3.04 mi N of Union Mills
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.144, -74.136

Nickel size hail was reported in Fish House during a thunderstorm by a WeatherNet6 spotter.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 26, 9:30 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, Canajoharie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.900, -74.570

Trees and wires were reported down in Canajoharie due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ulster

When: May 26, 9:35 PM EST
Where: Ulster County, 0.65 mi SE of Ellenville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.713, -74.392

A tree and limbs were reported down across Carl Street in Ellenville due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schoharie

When: May 26, 9:38 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 0.53 mi W of Summit
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.580, -74.590

Trees and wires were reported down in Summit due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schoharie

When: May 26, 9:48 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 0.69 mi N of Sharon Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.790, -74.620

Trees and wires were reported down in Sharon Springs due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: May 26, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Fulton County, 2.4 mi ENE of Cranberry Creek
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.184, -74.177

Two to three dozen trees and four utility poles were reported down due to strong thunderstorm winds at Northhampton Beach campsites. Seven camp trailers were reported damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schoharie

When: May 26, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 2.1 mi ESE of Middleburg
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.586, -74.314

Trees were reported down across State Route 30 and Huntersland Road in Middleburgh due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ulster

When: May 26, 9:50 PM EST
Where: Ulster County, 0.59 mi ENE of Chichester
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.103, -74.309

Large tree branches were reported down blocking Park Road in Chichester due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schoharie

When: May 26, 9:53 PM EST
Where: Schoharie County, 0.53 mi E of Schoharie
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.669, -74.310

Trees and wires were reported down in Schoharie due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Albany

When: May 26, 9:55 PM EST
Where: Albany County, 1.8 mi NNW of East Berne
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.645, -74.088

The roof of a trailer was reported partially torn off by strong thunderstorm winds on Knox Cave Road in Knox.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schenectady

When: May 26, 9:58 PM EST
Where: Schenectady County, 0.91 mi SSW of Hoffmans
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.867, -74.085

A barn was reported destroyed by strong thunderstorm winds at Peaceful Acres Horses on Rynex Corners Road in Pattersonville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Albany

When: May 26, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Albany County, 0.4 mi W of Voorheesville to 0.03 mi W of Voorheesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.651, -73.938

A tent collapsed behind the Voorheesville Fire Department and a tree was reported down on Maple Avenue due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schenectady

When: May 26, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Schenectady County, 1.34 mi ENE of Schenectady
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.808, -73.896

Part of a large maple tree was reported downed by strong thunderstorm winds on Grand Boulevard in Niskayuna.

Thunderstorm Wind, Albany

When: May 26, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Albany County, 0.29 mi NE of Guilderland Center
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.703, -73.966

The sign for the Park Guilderland Apartments in Guilderland Center was reportedly blown over by strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saratoga

When: May 26, 10:05 PM EST
Where: Saratoga County, 0.16 mi E of Fayville to 0.71 mi SSE of Batchellerville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.150, -74.117

Numerous trees and limbs were reported down along South Shore Road in Edinburg and Providence due to strong thunderstorm winds. Also, a tree was reported down on Fox Hill Road in Edinburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Schenectady

When: May 26, 10:05 PM EST
Where: Schenectady County, 1.11 mi NE of Glenville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.929, -74.052

A trained spotter reported an estimated wind gust of 58 mph in West Glenville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dutchess

When: May 26, 10:05 PM EST
Where: Dutchess County, 0.82 mi S of Tivoli
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.058, -73.917

Many old locust trees were reported snapped off by strong thunderstorm winds in Tivoli.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ulster

When: May 26, 10:05 PM EST
Where: Ulster County, 0.07 mi E of Saugerties South
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.070, -73.949

Trees and wires were reported down in Saugerties due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Albany

When: May 26, 10:10 PM EST
Where: Albany County, 0.6 mi NNW of Boght Corners
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 42.788, -73.754

Trees and large branches were reported down on the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway in Boght Corners due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rensselaer

When: May 26, 10:24 PM EST
Where: Rensselaer County, 0.45 mi NNE of Troy
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.756, -73.677

Trees and wires were reported down at 102nd Street and 8th Avenue in Troy due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 26, 10:25 PM EST
Where: Columbia County, 0.35 mi NNW of Livingston
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.155, -73.773

A tree was reported down and blocking Route 9 in Livingston due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 26, 10:30 PM EST
Where: Columbia County, 1.54 mi WSW of Green River
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.264, -73.509

A tree was reported down grazing a house and two large sliding barn doors were reported blown off their hinges on Dawson Road in Hillsdale due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 26, 10:34 PM EST
Where: Columbia County, 0.53 mi SSW of Kinderhook
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.393, -73.703

A tree and wires were reported down in Kinderhook due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rensselaer

When: May 26, 10:40 PM EST
Where: Rensselaer County, 0.8 mi SE of Dunham Hollow
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.571, -73.491

Trees and wires were reported down on Dunham Road in Nassau due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rensselaer

When: May 26, 10:43 PM EST
Where: Rensselaer County, 0.66 mi W of North Hoosick
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.929, -73.343

Trees were reported down along Route 67 in North Hoosick due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Hail, Columbia

When: May 26, 10:45 PM EST to 10:48 PM EST
Where: Columbia County, 0.64 mi S of Canaan
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.411, -73.451

Quarter size hail was reported in Canaan during a thunderstorm with an estimated wind gust of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 26, 10:47 PM EST
Where: Columbia County, 0.45 mi SSW of Lebanon Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.474, -73.382

A tree was reported down across Route 22 in New Lebanon due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 26, 10:50 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 0.87 mi ESE of Center Cambridge
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.995, -73.454

Trees were reported down on Center Cambridge Road in Cambridge due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 26, 10:50 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 0.95 mi E of Center Falls
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.100, -73.451

Wires were reported down on Route 29 near By Pass Road in Greenwich due to strong thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rensselaer

When: May 26, 10:59 PM EST
Where: Rensselaer County, 0.39 mi NNE of Hoosick Falls
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.905, -73.346

A tree was reported down on a car on Abbott Street in Hoosick Falls due to strong thunderstorm winds.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in New York in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in New York, May 2011

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: 310584, 310587, 310591, 310594, 310595, 310596, 310597, 310598, 310601, 310603, 310604, 310605, 310607, 310609, 310610, 310611, 310620, 310616, 310612, 310617, 310621, 310613, 310614, 310618, 310619, 310615, 311080, 311084, 311089, 311092, 311095, 311096, 311098, 311100, 311101, 311103, 311105.