A record warm airmass was in place prior to a sharp cold frontal passage Saturday, February 25, 2017. Gusty southerly winds ahead of the front resulted in a few downed trees during the afternoon hours in the Capital District.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 ALY wrote it up.
A record warm airmass was in place prior to a sharp cold frontal passage Saturday, February 25, 2017. Gusty southerly winds ahead of the front resulted in a few downed trees during the afternoon hours in the Capital District. As the front tracked through the region in the late afternoon and evening, several lines of severe thunderstorms developed, producing high winds and dozens of damage reports. An observer measured a 76 mph gust in Ulster County. In the wake of the thunderstorms, a few additional non-thunderstorm wind damage reports were received as drastically colder air rushed in. The air was so cold behind the cold front that rain turned to heavy thundersnow in portions of the southern Adirondacks, eastern Catskills, Helderbergs, and Lake George Saratoga region.
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 25, 10:19 AM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albany NY
1019 AM EST Sat Feb 25 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
An anomalously warm and humid air mass will be over eastern New
York and western New England into this afternoon. A strong cold
front will bring heavy rain showers, scattered thunderstorms
and gusty winds to the region this afternoon into early this
evening. Much colder air will filter into the area with some
light accumulating snowfall especially over the higher terrain
tonight, as blustery and cold conditions finish the weekend with
temperatures more typical of late February.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
A Flood Watch remains in effect for the western Mohawk Valley,
the upper Hudson, the southern Adirondacks, Lake George Saratoga
region and southern Vermont from today through Sunday. See
the Hydrology section for details...
The entire forecast area is in a Slight Risk for the possibility
of severe thunderstorms this afternoon into early this evening
with damaging winds the main threat.
As of 1019 AM EST, Warm front lifting northward across the
Adirondacks and Lake George regions with very warm temperatures
to the south of the front. The temperatures at Glens Falls has
warmed from a low of 33 degrees early this morning to 64 as of
1000 am! Another day in the 60s expected for much of the area,
except for across parts of the Adirondacks where it will take
longer for the warm front to push through and thicker cloud
cover will remain in place into the afternoon.
12Z ALB sounding indicate the potential for significant
warming, but two inversions must be overcome. The lower
inversion around 900 mb will easily mix out, so highs in the
upper 60s looks attainable. If the deeper inversion around
750-700 mb can mix out, temperatures will soar into the 70s
again. However, there should be more extensive cloud cover this
afternoon and a more moist environment, so mixing potential
should not be as great as Friday. Still, something to watch.
Sfc dewpts are in the 40s and the 50s for a large portion of
the forecast area with a southerly flow advecting in the milder
temps and dewpts due to the ridge downstream and the strong flow
ahead of the upstream upper level trough that will be turning
negatively tilted as it moves across the Great Lakes Region and
Midwest into southeastern Canada. The sfc cyclone associated
with the negatively tilted upper trough will pass well north and
west of the region towards James Bay this afternoon. However, a
strongly forced cold front supported by impressive upper level
dynamics /for example, the right entrance region of the H250
northern jet stream will interact with the left front quadrant
of the subtropical branch of the jet stream over the mid-
Atlantic States/ will swing across the region with chances of
thunderstorms, some of which could be severe.
Still lots of stratus around for much of the region, except for
an area around the Capital District north to Saratoga. Dry
conditions are expected through the rest of the morning, but
some showers may develop well ahead of the cold front in the
warm sector for areas west of the Hudson Valley early this
afternoon. Otherwise, slowed the timing of higher pops
associated main line of showers with embedded thunderstorms,
with the leading edge expected to move into the Dacks/Mohawk
Valley 2-4 pm, eastern Catskills and Hudson Valley 4-6 pm, and
Taconics/western New England 6-8 pm based on the latest hi-res
guidance.
The pre-convective environment is a classic cool season high
shear-low CAPE set-up. 0-6 km bulk shear values of 50-75 kts,
and 0-1 km values of 30-40 kts ahead of the front with low
amounts of sfc based instability generally less than 100 J/kg
based on the NAM/GFS. However, the MUCAPE values are 100-350
J/kg on the GFS with DCAPE values of 200-700 J/kg. Mid level
lapse rates on both the GFS/NAM are in the 6.5C-7C/km range
with a very strong sfc-H850 theta-e gradient from west to east
with the front. PWATS will be in the two thirds of an inch to 1
inch range, as these values are 1 to 3 standard deviations above
normal based on the latest GEFS. A strongly forced low topped
line of convection is likely with perhaps some QLCS segments
early on before fusing into a narrow cold front rainband between
20/SAT-01Z/SUN across the region. The latest 3-km HRRR has the
QLCS elements getting into the western Adirondacks between 20Z-
21Z.The low-level helicity values are also high and SPC did
include a 2% contour for tornadoes, however, we agree that
damaging winds will be the main threat, and we foresee several
special weather statements /SPSs/ focusing on the winds and
heavy rainfall, and potentially some SVR's. In the gridded
forecasts we included the wording heavy rainfall and gusty winds
with the thunderstorms. The GEFS does have a strong +v
component of the wind anomaly /strong southerlies/ over the
region between 18Z to 00Z. The h925 winds do increase to 30-40
kts ahead of the front. We have some southerly wind gusts of
30-40 mph ahead of the boundary. These fell short of the
advisory level.
Temps will not have far to go in many locations once the stratus
burns off in the late morning into the early afternoon ahead of
the front. We have highs in the lower to mid 60s in the valley
areas with some upper 60s near the mid Hudson valley and mid 50s
to lower 60s over the hills and mountains. Some locally heavy
downpours are possible, but FFG values remain high outside of
the Flood Watch for snowmelt and runoff in our area, so we did
not expand the watch at this time.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY/...
Tonight...We are looking at a 10C difference in H850 temps over
a narrow east to west corridor across the front with temps
falling below 0C over the western Adirondacks at 21Z, and temps
close to +8C over the Hudson River Valley into western New
England. By 03Z, H850 temps on the GFS/NAM are below 0C across
most of western New England and -8C to -9C over the
Adirondacks/eastern Catskills, and the western Mohawk Valley.
The scattered thunderstorms should diminish around 7-8 pm, but
in the strong cold advection in the wake of the front, expect a
quick transition to snowfall especially over the higher terrain,
and then the lower elevations. 1-3 inches is possible over the
western Adirondacks, portions of the eastern Catskills, and the
southern Greens, and possibly the northern Berkshires. Valley
areas north of the mid-Hudson Valley will likely have an inch or
less. The western Mohawk Valley may get around an inch.
The colder temps will try to slow down the runoff from the rain,
but we believe the Flood Watch for rain and snowmelt still looks
good for the northern half of the hydro service area where two
thirds of an inch to and inch and a quarter is possible. We are
expecting a half inch or less further south and east from the
Capital Region and into the mid-Hudson Valley and NW CT. WPC
placed the eastern Catskills and portions of the Capital Region
north and west into a Marginal Risk of exceeding the FFG
guidance, but with little QPF the past 10-12 days and higher
zonal FFG values compared to BGM's area upstream, we believe
our current Flood Watch looks fine. Low temps tumble back to
the 20s to lower 30s with a few teens over the southern Dacks by
day break. The west winds will increase to 10 to 20 mph with
some gusts in the 30-40 mph range.
Sunday...A blustery and cold day is expected with the best
mixing anticipated late in the morning into the afternoon. West
to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph will be possible with some
gusts in the 35 to 45 mph range in the Capital
Region...Mohawk Valley...Taconics...Berkshires...and the
eastern Catskills. Our confidence was not high enough for a 3rd
period wind advisory, and based on collaboration with
neighboring WFO's, we feel the gusts fall short at this time. A
brief lake connection with the mixed layer winds veering to the
northwest will keep some multibands snow showers/flurries going
for the western Adirondacks/western Mohawk Valley/Schoharie
Valley/eastern Catskills going through the morning into the
afternoon with light accums of an inch or less. Much colder
temps with mid 30s to lower 40s in the valley areas, and 20s to
lower 30s over the hills and mountains. It will feel more like
late FEB.
Sunday night into Monday...High pressure builds in from the Mid
Atlantic Region late Sunday into Sunday night...and then drifts
offshore. Mid and upper level heights rise, and some low to mid
level warm advection kicks in. Some scattered snow showers are
possible over the western Adirondacks Sunday night into Monday.
Lows Sunday night will be in the teens and 20s. Sunshine mixes
with clouds well in advance of the next cold front on Monday
with temps rising about 5-10 degrees above normal again with
mid 40s to lower 50s in the valleys, and upper 30s to mid 40s
over the mountains.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Active weather will persist through much of the long term period,
with a transition from zonal flow at upper levels to a broad trough
over the northeastern CONUS and below normal temperatures by next
weekend.
The period starts out with high pressure over the region Monday
evening, gradually shifting eastward off the east coast by late
Monday night. With a zonal flow aloft, the next low pressure system
will quickly approach from the central plains and mid Atlantic
regions on Tuesday. The surface warm front associated with this
system will lift through Tuesday afternoon/evening, spreading
precipitation across the area, but will mention slight chance pops
Monday night to account for wider time window if the system movement
speeds up. Thermal profiles indicate potential for some mixed
snow/rain at the onset, especially for areas north of Albany and
over the higher terrain. Temps should warm enough for plain rain by
late Tuesday morning or early afternoon. As the surface low lifts
across the Great Lakes, precipitation will remain possible from
Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon.
A stronger system is then forecast to track from the Upper Great
Lakes northeastward into southeast Canada by Wednesday. Our region
will be on the warm side of cyclone initially, with the potential
for warming into at least the upper 40s to lower 50s despite
rainfall. If breaks of sunshine can occur, temperatures would be
even warmer. The system's cold front will push through in the
Wednesday night time frame, with a chilly air mass filtering in
behind the front. Rain looks to transition over to snow on the
backside of the system, with chances for snow across the high
terrain Wednesday night/Thursday. As the core of the upper trough
moves over New York on Friday, another low pressure system will pass
through the forecast area, bringing a chance for snow showers area-
wide. Strong cold advection ensues Friday night, with lows
potentially dropping into the single digits across the Adirondacks
and into the teens elsewhere.
Winter isn't over yet. After a period of significant warmth this
week, expect below normal temperatures for the first full week of
March and the potential for snow on the ground in many
locations.
&&
.AVIATION /15Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A strong cold front will sweep east across the TAF sites late this
afternoon. A period of moderate to heavy rain showers, strong gusty
winds, and even a few rumbles of thunder will be possible as the
leading edge of the front moves through, with light to moderate rain
likely lingering in its wake. So expect conditions to drop to IFR or
lower within the stronger thunderstorms. There is also potential for
rain to change over to snow behind the front but this depends on how
quickly the cold air can invade the region. Shower chances should
gradually diminish after about 06Z/Sun but fog and low level
moisture will likely keep conditions at MVFR/IFR through the end of
the forecast period.
Winds will be southerly increasing to 10-15 kt by late this morning
with higher gusts around 25-30 kt at KALB. Some low level wind shear
may develop toward afternoon where surface winds are relatively
light and a southerly low level jet moves overhead. LLWS may need to
be mentioned in subsequent TAF issuances.
Winds will shift into the west with the cold front and increase to
10-20 KT with gusts of 25-35 KT possible, perhaps even stronger in
any embedded thunderstorms.
Outlook...
Sunday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Monday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Monday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Tuesday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of RA...SN.
Tuesday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of RA.
Wednesday: High Operational Impact. Likely RA.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Flood Watch in effect for the western Mohawk Valley, the upper
Hudson, the southern Adirondacks, Lake George Saratoga region and
southern Vermont from today through Sunday. Runoff will result
from a combination of snow melt over the past couple days and
heavy rainfall this afternoon into this evening.
At this time minor flooding of some main stem rivers is expected,
including the upper Mohawk, smaller rivers/streams in areas with
significant snow depth in the southern Adirondacks and southern
Green Mountains of Vermont, and possibly even portions of the upper
Hudson basin. There remains the potential for flooding for areas
south of the watch, but confidence is much lower with less
rainfall and snowmelt expected. So will continue to mention
the threat in the HWO for possible expansion of the watch if
conditions warrant.
A warm and and moist air will be over the region into this
afternoon. A quick moving, strong cold front is expected to
bring a period of moderate to heavy rainfall this afternoon and
early this evening. Total rainfall forecast of around a half an
inch to around 1.25 inches is forecast through tonight, with
the lowest amounts in the Mid- Hudson Valley and Northwest
Connecticut, and the highest amounts over the western/southern
Adirondacks. The time frame for greatest potential for flooding
is during and after the cold front passage due to heavy
rain/snow melt combination and subsequent runoff. The
precipitation will change to snow quickly behind the front
especially over the mountains, which will slow down the run-off
tonight.
Drier and colder air will filter in behind the cold front for
Sunday, with some lake effect snow possible across the western
Adirondacks and western Mohawk Valley. Strong west to northwest
winds of 15 to 25 mph with strong gusts will also slow down the
runoff later in the weekend.
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.
&&
.CLIMATE...
All-time February high temperature records set yesterday at
Albany and Poughkeepsie.
Albany reached 74 degrees, which broke the old all-time
February record of 69 set yesterday. Poughkeepsie reached 73
degrees, which broke the all time February record of 72 set
back in 1954.
Also, Glens Falls set a daily record high yesterday of 59
degrees breaking the old record of 55 degrees set in 1985.
&&
.ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
NY...Flood Watch through Sunday evening for NYZ032-033-038>043-
082>084.
MA...None.
VT...Flood Watch through Sunday evening for VTZ013>015.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Wasula
NEAR TERM...JPV/Wasula
SHORT TERM...Wasula
LONG TERM...JVM
AVIATION...KL/JVM
HYDROLOGY...NAS/Wasula
CLIMATE...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albany NY 449 AM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 NYZ032-033-038>043-082>084-VTZ013>015-261200- Northern Herkimer-Hamilton-Southern Herkimer-Southern Fulton- Montgomery-Northern Saratoga-Northern Warren-Northern Washington- Northern Fulton-Southeast Warren-Southern Washington-Bennington- Western Windham-Eastern Windham- 449 AM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the western and southern Adirondacks, western and central Mohawk valley, and Lake George Saratoga region of eastern New York, as well as southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. There is a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms ahead of a strong cold front this afternoon into early this evening. The main threat from the potential severe thunderstorms will be damaging winds of 58 mph or greater. The thunderstorms are expected to move quickly from west to east at 40 to 45 mph. Locally heavy downpours are also possible with the thunderstorms The potential for post frontal gusty winds continues late Saturday night into Sunday. Wind Advisory headlines may eventually be needed in time, if confidence increases. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. The potential for gusty winds continues on Sunday. Wind Advisory headlines may eventually be needed if confidence increases for wind gusts greater than 45 mph. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to send any reports of flooding or wind damage to the National Weather Service. CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ047>054-058>061-063>066-261200- Northern Litchfield-Southern Litchfield-Northern Berkshire- Southern Berkshire-Schoharie-Western Schenectady-Eastern Schenectady- Southern Saratoga-Western Albany-Eastern Albany-Western Rensselaer- Eastern Rensselaer-Western Greene-Eastern Greene-Western Columbia- Eastern Columbia-Western Ulster-Eastern Ulster-Western Dutchess- Eastern Dutchess- 449 AM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the greater Capital District, Schoharie Valley, eastern Catskills, mid Hudson Valley and Taconics of eastern New York, as well as northwestern Connecticut and western Massachusetts. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms ahead of a strong cold front this afternoon into early this evening. The main threat from the potential severe thunderstorms will be damaging winds of 58 mph or greater. The thunderstorms are expected to move quickly from west to east at 40 to 45 mph. Locally heavy downpours are also possible with the thunderstorms. Some poor drainage flooding of low lying areas, and ponding of water on roadways is possible from the rainfall coupled with snow melt. Some significant within-bank river rises in some areas are possible. Widespread flooding is currently not anticipated, but the potential will continue to be monitored today. The potential for west to northwest gusty winds continues late Saturday night into Sunday. Wind headlines may eventually be needed if confidence increases for widespread gusts of greater than 45 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The potential for gusty winds continues on Sunday. Wind headlines may eventually be needed if confidence increases for widespread wind gusts of greater than 45 mph. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is possible later today.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albany NY 600 AM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 VTZ014-015-251300- Western Windham-Eastern Windham- Including the cities of Stratton, Londonderry, Brattleboro, Guilford Center, West Brattleboro, and Bellows Falls 600 AM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 ...LOCALLY DENSE FOG THIS MORNING IN WINDHAM COUNTY VERMONT... Some locally dense fog has formed this morning east of the southern Green Mountains in Windham County Vermont. Visibilities have lowered to a quarter mile or less in some locations near the Interstate 91 corridor. Caution is advised on the roadways this morning, where drivers encounter drastically reduced visibilities in the fog. Use low beams and leave extra space between vehicles while driving. The fog should start to burn off after 8 am. TAW
The Albany radar (KENX), 8 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:58 UTC.
32 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A power outage was observed.
Downed power lines.
Trees were blown down on wires.
Fifteen trees were uprooted.
Trees were blown down on wires.
Trees were blown onto wires.
A tree was downed.
A downed tree was reported.
A tree was downed.
A tree was downed at the intersection of Western Ave. and Manning Blvd.
A tree was downed.
A tree was downed.
A tree was blown down on Bone Hollow Road between Whitefield Road and Smith Lane.
A tree was blown down on Buck Road between Cherryhill Road and Mill Road.
A private weather station recorded 76 mph (66 kt).
A tree was knocked down on Plains Road at New Hurley Road.
A tree was reported down at 26 Fairview Avenue.
A tree was reported down on Pine Bush Road between Buck Road and County Route 2.
A tree was reported down on Legget Road near the intersection with State Route 209.
A tree was downed along with poles and wires, requiring an 8-hour road closure.
A tree was reported down on Old Post Road at Swarterkill Road.
A tree was downed.
One lane of the southern portion of River Road was closed due to a downed tree.
A downed tree was reported on New Salem Road between Callahans and Tooley Drive, which blocked one lane.
Connelly Road was closed between Route 9W and Millbrook Drive due to a downed tree.
Power lines were downed.
Trees and wires were down on Channingville Road, prompting a partial road closure.
Trees, wires, and poles were down along State Route 32.
A tree was blown over and fell through a house.
Over 50 trees were downed in the area.
Trees were downed, blocking a road.
Downed poles and power lines led to a six-hour road closure.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New York in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, February 2017
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: 678943, 677697, 677698, 677700, 677701, 677702, 677708, 677710, 677712, 677713, 677715, 677716, 677719, 677720, 677721, 677748, 677723, 677726, 677727, 677729, 677730, 677732, 677733, 677735, 677736, 677737, 677738, 677739, 677741, 677742, 677743, 677744, 677747.