Damaging Winds in Vermont, May 4, 2018

Name: Damaging Winds in Vermont, May 4, 2018
Start: 2018-05-04T19:40
End: 2018-05-04T20:16
Location: Vermont

May 4, 2018 · NWS ALY · 9 events in 2 counties and zones

A powerful low pressure system formed on May 4th, pushing a strong cold front across New York and New England. A line of thunderstorms developed along this front and pushed into southern Vermont in the evening, resulting in dozens of downed trees and wires.

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: 9

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.

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 4, 6:53 PM EST, 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 6:53 PM EST, 47 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albany NY
753 PM EDT Fri May 4 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will sweep across the region this evening preceded
and accompanied by showers and thunderstorms. Some storms are
expected to be strong to severe. Behind the cold front tonight
westerly winds will be strong and gusty. With the passage of the
front a more seasonable airmass will be ushered in for the
weekend. Expecting dry weather Saturday, however Sunday some
rain showers are expected.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch #77 is now in effect until 2 am for
the Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady,
Schoharie and Ulster counties in NY and western New England.

Tornado Watch #76 remains in effect until 10 pm for Herkimer,
Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, Saratoga and Washington counties.

We are in a high-shear low-CAPE environment with a squall line
occurring ahead of an approaching cold front. The line extents
from northern NY across the central portion of the state into
central PA with numerous warnings in effect. CAMS indicate this
squall line moves across the local area through the mid evening
hours passing over the Capital District 00-01Z with the
convection weakening by around 02-03Z.

Wind Advisory remains in effect for for all but eastern Ulster,
Dutchess and Litchfield counties 8 pm this evening to 8 am
Saturday. Very strong pressure couple with this low pressure
system. Strong and gusty westerly flow expected across the area
tonight as the surface low passes to our north across eastern
Canada. Sustained winds 20 to 35 mph are expected with gusts 40
to 50 mph.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY/...
A more seasonable airmass will be ushered in with the wake of
the cold front for Saturday.Ecpecting highs mainly in 60s with
lower to mid 70s up the Hudson River Valley. Winds will remain
brisk mainly north of I-90 and especially in the morning. Winds
will decrease as the pressure gradient weakens especially late in
the day into the evening.

A weak low moving up the east coast and another cold front
approaching from the west will bring widespread chances for
showers to the area for Sunday mainly during the afternoon and
evening. It will be a bit cooler due to the cloud cover and
showers with highs in the upper 50s to upper 60s.

With the passage of this cold front a cooler airmass will be
ushered in with highs mainly in the 50s with some lower 60s in
the mid Hudson Valley. Higher pressure will be building in at
the surface however aloft a short wave will swing through have
just slight chance pops for showers during the day.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Things start out sunny, warm and dry, then deteriorate at the end of
the work week.  High pressure dominates through mid-week, starting
out from the Great Lakes to southern New England, and translating to
an eastern seaboard ridge orientation, before breaking down in
response to low-pressure tracking east from the nation's mid-
section.  By Friday morning, the low will be centered over northern
Maine, with a trailing cold front sliding southeast across New York
State.  A shallow and weakening cold front may bring a few extra
clouds to the region on Wednesday, but that's about it.

High temperatures on Tuesday will range from the mid and upper 50s
in the high peaks...to around 70 degrees down the Hudson Valley,
moderating to from the upper 60s to near 70 degrees for Wednesday
and Thursday.  Behind the front, readings cool to highs in the mid
and upper 50s in the Adirondacks, Catskills and Greens, with
highs repeating in the lower 70s in the Mid-Hudson Valley where
the front comes through late in the day. Lows Monday night will
be a bit chilly...from around 30 degrees in the northern
Adirondacks...to around 40 degrees down the Hudson Valley.
Thereafter, nightly moderation ensues, and lows Thursday night
will be mostly in the upper 40s and lower 50s.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Squall line moving across the region will impact the TAF sites
early in the period with gusty winds and brief heavy rainfall.
Expect MVFR with brief IFR possible with the convection. The
convection is occurring ahead of cold front which will sweep
through this evening. Strong and gusty westerly winds are
occurring in the wake of this cold front as the surface low
passes to our north across eastern Canada with a strong
fall/rise couplet associated with it. The winds will remain
strong through the night with the winds decreasing some by
sunrise Saturday. A Wind Advisory is in effect for through
12Z/Saturday for wind gusts up to 45 knots are possible. Winds
will remains brisk and gusty Saturday and will really decreasing
late in the day. Cover cloud will decrease tonight with mostly
clear skies developing and continuing through the day Saturday.

Outlook...

Saturday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Sunday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA.
Sunday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA.
Monday: Low Operational Impact. Slight Chance of SHRA.
Monday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Tuesday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Tuesday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Wednesday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A cold front will sweep across the region tonight preceded and
accompanied by showers and thunderstorms. Behind the cold front
tonight westerly winds will become strong and gusty. Winds will
remain brisk much of day Saturday mainly north of I-90. With
the passage of the front a more seasonable airmass will be
ushered in for the weekend. Expecting dry weather Saturday,
however Sunday some rain showers are expected.

Minimum relative humidities values are expected to be in the
30s Saturday afternoon and in t he 50s Sunday afternoon.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Locally heavy rainfall possible with any thunderstorms into this
evening. No widespread hydro issues are not anticipated as the
storms will be fast moving.

Dry weather for Saturday however chances for rain return for
Sunday as weak low moves up the east coast and a cold front
approaches from the west. Generally around a quarter of an inch
are expected. Dry weather returns for early next week.

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...Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 2 AM EDT Saturday for CTZ001-
     013.
NY...Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Saturday for NYZ032-033-038>043-
     047>054-058>061-063-082>084.
     Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 2 AM EDT Saturday for NYZ040-
     047>049-051>054-058>061-063>066.
     Tornado Watch until 10 PM EDT this evening for NYZ032-033-038-
     039-041>043-050-082>084.
MA...Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Saturday for MAZ001-025.
     Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 2 AM EDT Saturday for MAZ001-
     025.
VT...Wind Advisory until 8 AM EDT Saturday for VTZ013>015.
     Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 2 AM EDT Saturday for
     VTZ013>015.

&&

SYNOPSIS...IAA
NEAR TERM...IAA
SHORT TERM...IAA
LONG TERM...ELH
AVIATION...IAA
FIRE WEATHER...IAA
HYDROLOGY...IAA

Hazardous weather outlook, May 4, 5:33 PM EST, 2 hours 7 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Albany NY
633 PM EDT Fri May 4 2018

CTZ001-013-NYZ064>066-051200-
Northern Litchfield-Southern Litchfield-Eastern Ulster-
Western Dutchess-Eastern Dutchess-
633 PM EDT Fri May 4 2018

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 77 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SATURDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwestern Connecticut and
eastern Ulster and Dutchess Counties in 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.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested.

NYZ032-033-038-039-041>043-050-082>084-051200-
Northern Herkimer-Hamilton-Southern Herkimer-Southern Fulton-
Northern Saratoga-Northern Warren-Northern Washington-
Southern Saratoga-Northern Fulton-Southeast Warren-
Southern Washington-
633 PM EDT Fri May 4 2018

...TORNADO WATCH 76 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Herkimer, Hamilton, Warren,
Saratoga, Washington, and Fulton Counties in eastern 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.
   Wind Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested.

MAZ001-025-NYZ040-047>049-051>054-058>061-063-VTZ013>015-051200-
Northern Berkshire-Southern Berkshire-Montgomery-Schoharie-
Western Schenectady-Eastern Schenectady-Western Albany-
Eastern Albany-Western Rensselaer-Eastern Rensselaer-Western Greene-
Eastern Greene-Western Columbia-Eastern Columbia-Western Ulster-
Bennington-Western Windham-Eastern Windham-
633 PM EDT Fri May 4 2018

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 77 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SATURDAY...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Massachusetts,
southern Vermont, the Greater Capital District, central Mohawk
Valley, eastern Catskills, northern and central Taconics, eastern
Greene, and western Columbia Counties in eastern 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.
   Wind Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Wind Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 4, 7:22 PM EST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
822 PM EDT FRI MAY 04 2018

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

0811 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSW BALLSTON SPA      42.98N  73.86W
05/04/2018                   SARATOGA           NY   PUBLIC

            THREE TREES DOWN IN BACK YARD.

&&

EVENT NUMBER ALY1800044

SND

Local storm report, May 4, 7:28 PM EST, 12 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
828 PM EDT FRI MAY 04 2018

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

0812 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N SCOTIA              42.84N  73.96W
05/04/2018                   SCHENECTADY        NY   911 CALL CENTER

            TREES DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER ALY1800045

SND

Local storm report, May 4, 7:35 PM EST, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
835 PM EDT FRI MAY 04 2018

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

0827 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N GUILDERLAND         42.74N  73.90W
05/04/2018                   ALBANY             NY   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN NEAR WILDWOOD SCHOOL.

&&

EVENT NUMBER ALY1800046

SND

Local storm report, May 4, 7:36 PM EST, 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
836 PM EDT FRI MAY 04 2018

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

0825 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ROTTERDAM               42.78N  73.95W
05/04/2018                   SCHENECTADY        NY   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES AND WIRES DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER ALY1800047

SND

Local storm report, May 4, 7:37 PM EST, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
837 PM EDT FRI MAY 04 2018

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

0827 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNE GUILDERLAND       42.71N  73.88W
05/04/2018                   ALBANY             NY   911 CALL CENTER

            TREES DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER ALY1800048

SND

Local storm report, May 4, 7:38 PM EST, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
838 PM EDT FRI MAY 04 2018

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

0827 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SW HALFMOON           42.84N  73.76W
05/04/2018                   SARATOGA           NY   AMATEUR RADIO

            TREES DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER ALY1800049

SND

The radar

The Albany radar (KENX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:41 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bennington

When: May 4, 7:40 PM EST
Where: Bennington County, 1.47 mi SSW of East Arlington
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.050, -73.160

Several trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bennington

When: May 4, 7:41 PM EST
Where: Bennington County, 1.22 mi SE of Dorset
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.240, -73.080

Several trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bennington

When: May 4, 7:45 PM EST
Where: Bennington County, 0.86 mi SE of Manchester
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.160, -73.060

Multiple large trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bennington

When: May 4, 7:52 PM EST
Where: Bennington County, 2.13 mi WNW of Bondville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.160, -72.920

Trees were reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Windham

When: May 4, 8:00 PM EST
Where: Windham County, Jamaica
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.100, -72.780

A tree was down on Route 30.

Thunderstorm Wind, Windham

When: May 4, 8:06 PM EST
Where: Windham County, 0.5 mi E of Grafton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 43.170, -72.610

Several trees were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Windham

When: May 4, 8:08 PM EST
Where: Windham County, 0.86 mi NW of Newfane
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 42.990, -72.660

Multiple trees and wires were downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Windham

When: May 4, 8:16 PM EST
Where: Windham County, 0.5 mi W of Westminster Station
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.080, -72.460

Trees were reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Windham

When: May 4, 8:16 PM EST
Where: Windham County, 1.55 mi NNE of West Brattleboro
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.891, -72.591

A maple tree was uprooted and several large pine branches were downed. A barn roof was slightly damaged.

What these are

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 Vermont in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Vermont, May 2018

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: 751650, 751651, 751653, 751654, 751655, 751656, 751658, 751659, 751660.