Hail and Damaging Wind in New York, May 18, 2017

Name: Hail and Damaging Wind in New York, May 18, 2017
Start: 2017-05-18T18:05
End: 2017-05-18T18:05
Location: New York

May 18, 2017 · NWS BTV · 2 events in 1 county or zone

Record setting heat set the stage for a moderately unstable air mass, while a mid-level atmospheric disturbance provided the forcing and strong winds to develop scattered thunderstorms by late afternoon into early evening, some of which produced damaging winds and hail.

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: $5,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

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 BTV wrote it up.

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 Burlington, VT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 18, 2:55 PM EST, 3 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 18, 2:55 PM EST, 3 hours 10 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Burlington VT
355 PM EDT Thu May 18 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
After another day of record heat, isolated strong to severe
thunderstorms are expected through this evening...with the primary
threat being gusty winds and hail. Much cooler and drier weather
arrives by midday Friday with some patchy frost possible by Saturday
morning. A warm front will produce scattered showers on Sunday
afternoon with temperatures returning to near normal.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
As of 350 PM EDT Thursday... Severe thunderstorm watch number
237 in effect for entire cwa until 03z this evening. Vis sat
shows vertical cumulus development occurring across the western
dacks with radar just showing the first signs of convective
development near Tupper Lake. Expect coverage to increase this
aftn/evening as better dynamics arrive and the cap lifts.

Wind advisory continues until 03z with kmss gusting to 44 mph
last hour.

Forecast concern this evening will be areal coverage and
magnitude of convection...followed by temps. Expecting isolated
strong to locally severe storms to fire late this aftn along
pre-frontal trof and associated weak embedded 5h vort in the
flow aloft. The pre- storm environment this aftn/evening shows
CAPE values between 1500 to 2000 j/kg with a ribbon of enhanced
0 to 3 km/0 to 6 km shear values between 40 and 50 knots. This
instability/shear supports isolated/scattered cluster of storms
with some individual bowing line segments. The 1st round looks
to impact mainly the eastern Dacks...southern/central CPV...and
parts of central/southern and eastern VT between 20-00z this
evening. Expecting a few strong to severe storms in this time
period. Meanwhile...another broken line of showers/storms will
be approaching the SLV by 00z this evening. Still some
uncertainty with regards to amount of instability with cool lake
water impacting environment...along with impacts of upstream
convection stabilizing atmosphere. If environment can recover
enough btwn 00z-03z...expecting a broken line of strong storms
with some enhanced wind threat associated with very strong 925mb
to 850mb winds of 45 to 55 knots. These storms will weaken as
they enter the CPV around midnight tonight.

A very mild start to the evening expected with temps mainly in the
70s to near 80f in areas away from convection...but as strong cold
front swings across our region after midnight...expect temps to
quickly fall. By morning...expecting temps to range from the upper
40s slv/western dacks to lower 60s near VSF.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
As of 350 PM EDT Thursday...sharp cold front is draped across
southern New England at 18z Friday with moderate low level caa
continuing across our cwa. Progged 850mb temps range between
10-12c around 12z...but fall between 2-4c by 18z
Friday...supporting nearly steady temps or falling during the
morning hours. Thinking clouds break up during the afternoon
hours and temps warm back into the mid 50s to lower 60s most
locations...but with breezy northwest will make for a chilly mid
May day. Some lingering mainly terrain drive rain showers are
possible from 12z to 16z...but rapid drying aloft...will quickly
dissipate showers by Friday afternoon.

Friday Night thru Saturday Night...1030mb high pres builds into the
region during this time period with dry conditions and cool temps.
Based on clear skies and winds decoupling in deeper protected
valleys...expect some patchy frost to develop. Best chances for
frost will be dacks and valleys of central/northern VT...including
the NEK. Will mention lows ranging from the mid/upper 20s NEK/SLK to
near 40F CPV/SLV. A nice day is expected on Saturday with plenty of
sunshine and slightly below normal temps.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 317 PM EDT Thursday...Upper level ridge and exiting
surface high pressure off the Atlantic seaboard will keep dry
conditions across the North Country to end the weekend with
increasing clouds ahead of our next system encroaching from the
west during the afternoon. Deep low pressure over southern
Ontario tracks eastward into central Quebec Sunday night through
Monday dragging a cold front through northern New York and
Vermont with showers developing late Sunday evening across
western areas and becoming widespread after midnight through
Monday as a weak wave of low pressure forms over the mid-
Atlantic states and rides northeast to the Gulf of Maine by
Monday night. In contrast to the previous forecast, the 12z
model suite indicates very little instability both at the
surface and aloft to support thunder so I've removed all
mention. Is a rumble or tow of thunder possible, sure. Just not
enough to justify it in the forecast.

Brief break in precipitation occurs Tuesday as we'll be in
between systems, with the next chance for showers and potential
thunderstorms coming Wednesday/Wednesday night as deepening low
pressure over Great Lakes Tuesday night tracks northeast through
the St. Lawrence Valley.

Temps through the period will be very seasonal with highs in
the mid 60s to low 70s, and lows in the mid 40s to low 50s.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Through 18Z Friday...Primarily VFR conditions are expected
through 12Z Friday with 2 rounds of scattered showers and
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening briefly reducing
vsby/cigs to MVFR/IFR. After 12Z, there will be a gradual trend
towards MVFR as cigs lower behind a cold front passage. For
winds, gusty to locally strong south-southwest with gusts in the
20-35kt range persist through about midnight before shifting to
the west-northwest at 8-15kts.

Outlook...

Friday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX.
Saturday: VFR. NO SIG WX.
Saturday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX.
Sunday: VFR. Slight Chance SHRA...TSRA.
Sunday Night: VFR. Likely SHRA...TSRA.
Monday: MVFR. Likely SHRA...TSRA.
Monday Night: VFR. Slight Chance SHRA.
Tuesday: VFR. Slight Chance SHRA.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Max Temp Records for 5/18/17

KBTV...89 set in 1989
KMPV...90 set in 1962
K1V4...92 set in 1906
KMSS...90 set in 1962

&&

.BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VT...None.
NY...Wind Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for NYZ026-027-087.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Taber
NEAR TERM...Taber
SHORT TERM...Taber
LONG TERM...Lahiff
AVIATION...Lahiff
CLIMATE...WFO BTV

Hazardous weather outlook, May 18, 2:54 AM EST, 15 hours 11 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Burlington VT
354 AM EDT Thu May 18 2017

NYZ026-027-087-190800-
Northern St. Lawrence-Northern Franklin-Southwestern St. Lawrence-
354 AM EDT Thu May 18 2017

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 11 PM EDT
THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern New York.

.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.

   Wind Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NYZ028>031-034-035-VTZ001>012-016>019-190800-
Eastern Clinton-Southeastern St. Lawrence-Southern Franklin-
Western Clinton-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-Grand Isle-
Western Franklin-Orleans-Essex-Western Chittenden-Lamoille-Caledonia-
Washington-Western Addison-Orange-Western Rutland-Windsor-
Eastern Franklin-Eastern Chittenden-Eastern Addison-Eastern Rutland-
354 AM EDT Thu May 18 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern New York, central
Vermont, northeast Vermont, northwest Vermont and southern Vermont.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop late
this afternoon and continue into the evening hours. A few of these
storms may become strong to severe with hail and strong winds as the
primary threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 18, 4:55 PM EST, 1 hour 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
555 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0541 PM     HAIL             UNDERHILL               44.53N  72.95W
05/18/2017  M0.25 INCH       CHITTENDEN         VT   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATE WINDS BETWEEN 32 AND 38 MPH.

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1701910

TABER

Local storm report, May 18, 4:57 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
557 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0533 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W WILLISTON           44.44N  73.09W
05/18/2017                   CHITTENDEN         VT   NWS EMPLOYEE

            TREE DOWN BLOCKING HIGHWAY 2A.

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1701911

VERASAMY

Local storm report, May 18, 5:17 PM EST, 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
617 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0555 PM     TSTM WND DMG     EAST BURKE              44.59N  71.94W
05/18/2017                   CALEDONIA          VT   PUBLIC

            TREES DOWN

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1701912

TABER

Local storm report, May 18, 5:38 PM EST, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
638 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 PM     HAIL             WEST ADDISON            44.08N  73.39W
05/18/2017  M0.75 INCH       ADDISON            VT   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1701913

TABER

Local storm report, May 18, 5:43 PM EST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
643 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0627 PM     HAIL             ADDISON                 44.09N  73.30W
05/18/2017  M1.00 INCH       ADDISON            VT   PUBLIC

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1701914

TABER

Local storm report, May 18, 6:00 PM EST, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BURLINGTON VT
700 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0632 PM     HAIL             2 E ADDISON             44.09N  73.26W
05/18/2017  M0.75 INCH       ADDISON            VT   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER BTV1701915

TABER

The radar

The Burlington radar (KCXX), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:05 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Essex

When: May 18, 6:05 PM EST
Where: Essex County, 0.69 mi N of Underwood
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.090, -73.680

Quarter-size hail reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Essex

When: May 18, 6:05 PM EST
Where: Essex County, 0.69 mi N of Underwood
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 44.090, -73.680

Trees down blocking Route 9 in Underwood.

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 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in New York, May 2017

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: 687576, 687578.