A weak surface cold front, but potent mid-level disturbance developed thunderstorms in a moderately unstable environment across Ontario province Canada during the afternoon and evening of June 20th. These storms tracked eastward across northern New York during the night and reached Vermont just after midnight on June 21st.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS BTV wrote it up.
A weak surface cold front, but potent mid-level disturbance developed thunderstorms in a moderately unstable environment across Ontario province Canada during the afternoon and evening of June 20th. These storms tracked eastward across northern New York during the night and reached Vermont just after midnight on June 21st. There were a few scattered reports of several large trees and utility poles downed with more than 2000 customers without power.
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 Burlington, VT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 20, 9:29 PM EST, 1 hour 25 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Burlington VT 1029 PM EDT Mon Jun 20 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A strong cold front will move through the north country overnight with showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms could produce some strong gusty winds over northern New York. Cooler temperatures will be over the north country from Tuesday through Friday, with highs mainly in the 70s. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM TUESDAY EVENING/... As of 1024 PM EDT Monday...Severe thunderstorm watch #277 remains in effect through 04Z for nrn NY for potential localized damaging winds. Strong mid-level height falls and associated 40-50kt sfc- 6km bulk shear is impinging on nrn NY from the west at 02z, with ongoing convective storm clusters and small-scale bows across St. Lawrence/Jefferson/Lewis counties east of Lake Ontario at 0215Z. The observed 00Z soundings at BUF and ALB had MUCAPE values of 1800 J/kg and 100 J/kg, respectively, with the air mass to the east significantly drier. In the St. Lawrence valley, 2-m dewpoints are in the low to mid-60s. Best SVR threat exists across nrn NY. Further east, combination of upr- 50s surface dewpoints and onset of diurnal cooling cycle will result in weakening of convective storms as activity pushes into the Champlain Valley by 04Z or so, and should preclude severe potential across VT. Strong sfc-6km bulk shear and possible bow segments supports wind damage as primary severe threat next 1-2 hours. Will see weaker broken line of shower and t-storm activity cross central/ern VT and exit by 06-07Z. Expecting mainly sunny skies on Tuesday as drier air and cooler temperatures move into the region following frontal passage overnight. Winds on Tuesday will be westerly 10-15 mph, with a few gusts near 20 mph. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 303 PM EDT Monday...Overall idea from the previous forecast remains intact with the North Country's weather largely being dominated by an upper level trough over eastern Canada. For the most part, conditions will be fairly dry under west/southwest flow, but as a cold pool aloft dips over the area Wednesday coinciding with a weak shortwave rotating through the base of the trough, some daytime instability showers will be possible along with an outside chance of some rumbles of thunder. Temperatures will be noticeably cooler than the past several days, though only slightly below normal with lows Tuesday/Wednesday nights in the mid 40s to low 50s, and highs Wednesday in the mid/upper 60s to low 70s. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 303 PM EDT Monday...Upper trough aforementioned in the short term continues to swing through the North Country on Thursday with consensus amongst the latest global models indicating the last bit of shortwave energy rounding the base of the trough swings far enough south to keep the majority of the forecast area dry. Thereafter, dry and warm conditions return as surface high pressure and upper level ridging become reestablished over the eastern CONUS right through the weekend. Rising heights through the period will lead to temperatures warming back to above normal levels under partly sunny/clear skies with max temps near normal in the mid 70s to near 80 for Friday, then above normal over the weekend in the mid to upper 80s. An approaching cold front will renew chances for showers/storms late Sunday night into Monday. && .AVIATION /03Z Tuesday THROUGH Saturday/... Through 00z Wednesday...Cold front will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms across the NRN NY TAF locations mainly 0030Z-0300Z, and across VT TAF locations mainly 03-06Z. Brief IFR possible with gusty westerly winds and heavy downpours at the TAF locations. Localized strong to severe thunderstorms possible. Expecting mainly VFR conditions after 07Z through the end of the TAF period. SFC Winds S-SW, becoming west during the day Tuesday generally 10-15 kt. Outlook 00z Wednesday through Saturday...Mainly VFR conditions expected through the period. && .MARINE... A LAKE WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THIS EVENING INTO TONIGHT. Strong southerly winds of 15 to 25 knots will affect Lake Champlain this evening and overnight. Wave heights will increase to around 3 feet, especially across the broad lake and southward facing bays and inlets. Also, showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into the Champlain Valley between 8pm and 10pm, exiting east after midnight. && .EQUIPMENT... As of 703 AM EDT Monday...The Rutland/Southern VT Regional Airport (RUT) AWOS has stopped transmitting observations as of last night. FAA AOCC is aware of the outage but there is no estimated return to service at this time. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && SYNOPSIS...WGH NEAR TERM...Banacos/WGH SHORT TERM...Lahiff LONG TERM...Lahiff AVIATION...WGH MARINE... EQUIPMENT...Loconto
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT 812 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016 NYZ026>031-034-035-087-220015- NORTHERN ST. LAWRENCE-NORTHERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN CLINTON- SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-WESTERN CLINTON- WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE- 812 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 277 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN 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. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VTZ001-002-005-006-008-009-016>018-220015- GRAND ISLE-WESTERN FRANKLIN-WESTERN CHITTENDEN-LAMOILLE-WASHINGTON- WESTERN ADDISON-EASTERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN CHITTENDEN-EASTERN ADDISON- 812 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VERMONT AND NORTHWEST VERMONT. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO BRING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS TO PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL VERMONT BETWEEN 930 PM AND MIDNIGHT. A FEW STRONG STORMS ARE POSSIBLE...WITH GUSTY WINDS UP TO 45 MPH. BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND DANGEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. VTZ003-004-007-010>012-019-220015- ORLEANS-ESSEX-CALEDONIA-ORANGE-WESTERN RUTLAND-WINDSOR- EASTERN RUTLAND- 812 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL VERMONT...NORTHEAST VERMONT AND SOUTHERN VERMONT. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO BRING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS TO PORTIONS OF EASTERN AND SOUTH-CENTRAL VERMONT BETWEEN 11 PM AND 1 AM. A FEW STRONG STORMS ARE POSSIBLE...WITH GUSTY WINDS UP TO 45 MPH. BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND DANGEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. BANACOS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT 831 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016 NYZ029-087-210130- SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE- 831 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY... AT 830 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR REDWOOD...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... GOUVERNEUR...FOWLER...CRANBERRY LAKE...DEGRASSE...STAR LAKE... OSWEGATCHIE...FINE...PITCAIRN...EDWARDS...WANAKENA...ALDRICH... BALMAT...LOWER OSWEGATCHIE...TALCVILLE...WEST FOWLER...NEWTON FALLS...SOUTH EDWARDS...FULLERVILLE AND SHURTLEFF. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR NORTHERN NEW YORK. LAT...LON 4438 7475 4412 7474 4414 7527 4435 7574 TIME...MOT...LOC 0030Z 270DEG 40KT 4426 7568 LAHIFF
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
919 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
NYZ029-087-210215-
SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE-
919 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WEST CENTRAL ST.
LAWRENCE COUNTY...
AT 918 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 21 MILES NORTHWEST OF REDWOOD TO 7 MILES
NORTHWEST OF KRING POINT STATE PARK TO NEAR WELLESLEY ISLAND STATE
PARK. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 40 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
OGDENSBURG...CANTON...GOUVERNEUR...DE KALB...HEUVELTON...
EDWARDSVILLE...LISBON...RUSSELL...DE PEYSTER...ROSSIE...EDWARDS...
HERMON...RENSSELAER FALLS...RICHVILLE...HAMMOND...SOUTH RUSSELL...
EAST DE KALB...NORTH GOUVERNEUR...DE KALB JUNCTION AND NORTH HAMMOND.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
THESE STORMS MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO
STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR
NORTHERN NEW YORK.
LAT...LON 4441 7579 4442 7579 4442 7581 4443 7577
4444 7578 4445 7575 4445 7577 4447 7577
4447 7578 4451 7575 4471 7547 4473 7545
4475 7528 4452 7514 4430 7509 4427 7556
4440 7583
TIME...MOT...LOC 0118Z 262DEG 34KT 4457 7604 4444 7596 4434 7594
LAHIFFSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
933 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
NYZ029-030-034-210230-
SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-WESTERN ESSEX-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-
933 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE AND
SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
AT 932 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER CRANBERRY
LAKE... MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
ADIRONDACK REGIONAL AIRPORT...PIERCEFIELD...CRANBERRY LAKE...
HORSESHOE LAKE...CHILDWOLD...AXTON LANDING...CONIFER...LAKE CLEAR...
WAWBEEK...SARANAC INN...COREYS...GALE AND SHURTLEFF.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR
NORTHERN NEW YORK.
LAT...LON 4432 7494 4439 7415 4408 7416 4409 7428
4412 7428 4410 7447 4414 7495
TIME...MOT...LOC 0132Z 272DEG 30KT 4423 7485
LAHIFFSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
958 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
NYZ029-030-034-087-210300-
SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE-WESTERN ESSEX-SOUTHWESTERN ST.
LAWRENCE-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-
958 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ST.
LAWRENCE AND SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
AT 957 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES WEST OF DEGRASSE TO 6 MILES EAST
OF FOWLER TO 12 MILES WEST OF STAR LAKE. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 50 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PIERCEFIELD...CRANBERRY LAKE...DEGRASSE...HORSESHOE LAKE...STAR
LAKE...OSWEGATCHIE...FINE...PITCAIRN...EDWARDS...WANAKENA...
ALDRICH...SOUTH RUSSELL...LOWER OSWEGATCHIE...TALCVILLE...GALE...
CHILDWOLD...AXTON LANDING...CONIFER...WAWBEEK AND SARANAC INN.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT FOR
NORTHERN NEW YORK.
LAT...LON 4440 7531 4440 7428 4412 7428 4405 7507
4418 7536
TIME...MOT...LOC 0157Z 277DEG 44KT 4436 7526 4426 7526 4414 7529
LAHIFFPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1111 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1017 PM TSTM WND DMG STAR LAKE 44.16N 75.03W
06/20/2016 ST. LAWRENCE NY UTILITY COMPANY
POWER LINES DOWN WITH 800 CUSTOMERS IMPACTED.
&&
EVENT NUMBER BTV1600523
TABERSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
1127 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
NYZ028-030-031-034-035-VTZ001-002-005-006-008-009-012-016>018-210430-
WESTERN CLINTON-WESTERN ESSEX-SOUTHERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN
CLINTON-EASTERN ESSEX-WINDSOR-EASTERN FRANKLIN-EASTERN
ADDISON-WESTERN ADDISON-WASHINGTON-LAMOILLE-WESTERN
CHITTENDEN-EASTERN CHITTENDEN-GRAND ISLE-WESTERN FRANKLIN-
1127 PM EDT MON JUN 20 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN CLINTON...
EASTERN ESSEX...WESTERN LAMOILLE...SOUTHERN GRAND ISLE...
CHITTENDEN...WESTERN WASHINGTON...SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN AND ADDISON
COUNTIES...
AT 1127 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR PEASLEEVILLE TO 8 MILES WEST OF
WILLSBORO TO NEAR ELIZABETHTOWN TO NEAR SCHROON LAKE. MOVEMENT WAS
EAST AT 50 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SOUTH BURLINGTON...COLCHESTER...ESSEX JUNCTION...MONTPELIER...
BRISTOL...PLATTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...BURLINGTON
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...ESSEX...ADDISON...WILLISTON...WINOOSKI...
SHELBURNE...PERU...GRAND ISLE...JERICHO...HINESBURG...STOWE...
FAIRFAX...RICHMOND AND CHARLOTTE.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 4433 7250 4388 7290 4380 7399 4432 7376
4468 7397 4477 7273
TIME...MOT...LOC 0327Z 259DEG 44KT 4464 7373 4435 7355 4416 7359 4387
7382The Burlington radar (KCXX), 13 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:52 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees downed by thunderstorm winds along Route 2 near Sand Bar state park.
Isolated tree down and numerous small branches.
Sixty foot Pine down by thunderstorm winds on Raceway road.
Tree on powerlines.
Tree on powerlines.
Several limbs and a few trees downed on power lines on Lendway drive, affecting more than 1500 utility customers.
Tree and utility lines downed by thunderstorm winds on Rocking Rock road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Vermont in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Vermont, June 2016
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: 630796, 630770, 631301, 631303, 631302, 630771, 630772.