Slow-moving thunderstorms trained over Rensselaer County during the afternoon of the 14th, resulting in a bullseye of 2-5 of rainfall over two to three hours over central and southern portions of the county. The runoff from the rainfall washed out or destroyed numerous roads and bridges, some of which would take weeks to months to reconstruct.
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 ALY wrote it up.
Slow-moving thunderstorms trained over Rensselaer County during the afternoon of the 14th, resulting in a bullseye of 2-5 of rainfall over two to three hours over central and southern portions of the county. The runoff from the rainfall washed out or destroyed numerous roads and bridges, some of which would take weeks to months to reconstruct. Damages to roads and bridges totaled around $3 million, according to county officials. The Rensselaer County Executive declared a state of emergency and urged no unnecessary travel after the storms. Governor Hochul requested a Physical Disaster Declaration from the Small Business Administration, citing major damage to 18 homes and 9 businesses totaling $1.895 million, and minor damage to 281 homes and 14 businesses totaling $2.3 million. Some flash flooding extended into the northern portion of Columbia County as well. Some of the storms also produced wind damage with reports of trees and wires down.
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 Jul 14, 12:34 PM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Albany NY 134 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 .SYNOPSIS... Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to work their way from west to east across the area today from the mid-morning into the evening. Some of the storms could be severe with damaging winds. Seasonable temperatures are expected. A dry day is expected Thursday with seasonably warm and humid conditions. Hot and humid Friday for areas from Albany south and east. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will be possible again, especially north and west of Albany. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Broken band of showers and scattered thunderstorms developing from the Lake George Saratoga Region through central Mohawk Valley west into central NY. CAPEs are up to the 1000-2000 j/kg range and could become a little more unstable before showers and storms increase in coverage. Mesoscale analyses show a weak wind shift in central NY that is associated with one small upper impulse and sharp midlevel drying feature in water vapor satellite imagery. Low level forcing very weak but surface based instability and the weak wind shift boundary along with some lake breezes and upslope into terrain will help increase the coverage of showers and storms, along with intensity. Some storms could reach marginal severe levels if thunderstorm cores descend and get enhanced by the midlevel drying seen in water vapor imagery, not so apparent in 12Z upper air data. Temperatures well into the 80s for highs this afternoon. Storms should dissipate after sunset with a slightly drier airmass taking hold as PWATs fall to 1-1.25 inches. Lows mainly in the 60s. Weak high pressure building in, along with clearing skies and light winds, should support patchy fog formation, especially in areas that see rainfall today. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... Thursday, midlevel heights rise slightly in the wake of Wednesday's trough. Not much of an airmass change overall, with 500 mb heights in the mid to upper 580s (dam) and 850 mb temps in the mid to upper teens (C). Humid conditions will continue with a light southwesterly flow promoting dewpoints in the 65-70F range most areas. Pockets of SBCAPE of 1000-1500 J/kg forecast to develop by the HREF Mean, but due to a lack of trigger and copious midlevel dry air noted on forecast soundings, will continue dry forecast. Seasonably warm highs mainly in the 80s expected. Tranquil night expected Thursday night as the pattern does not change much. Partly cloudy skies with mild lows in the mid-60s to near 70. A couple of showers or an isolated thunderstorm could sneak into portions of the western Adirondacks. Friday into Friday night, loosely organized, baggy trough approaches from the west. Upper jet max/low-level baroclinic zone gradually approaches from the northwest. Ahead of this area, surface to 850 mb temps are forecast to warm modestly, with 925mb temps approaching 25C and 850mb temps in the upper teens. This will likely yield high temps a couple degrees warmer than Thursday from the Upper Hudson Valley to the central Mohawk Valley and points south and east, with highs in the valleys around 90F. These temps combined with still muggy conditions with dewpoints around 70F may yield heat indices exceeding advisory criteria (95F). Deep-layer moisture will increase along and ahead of the approaching baroclinic zone, with PWAT values forecast to reach 1.50-1.80 inches. Some uncertainty here though, with the 00Z.14 NAM keeping the better moisture to the north and west, compared with the GFS/ECMWF. Will go with likely PoPs north and west of Albany closer to the better forcing, with chance PoPs elsewhere. Forcing mechanism is in question from the Capital District south and east, but it does appear that respectable surface- based instability will develop, and storms could fire along a differential heating boundary or weak surface trough. Will retain likely PoPs N/W of Albany as waves may ripple along the boundary, inducing lift in the moist airmass. Lows mainly in the 60s. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... A positively tilted mid and upper level trough will be upstream of the Northeast to open the weekend. A cold front will be slowly moving south/southeast from the St Lawrence River Valley and the Great Lakes Region. Another bout of showers and thunderstorms is possible on Saturday. The amounts of instability varies on the medium range guidance, but with increasing shear with the approaching front and some heating, then some stronger thunderstorms may be possible. PWATS will be elevated in excess of 1.50" or +1 to +2 STDEVs above normal, so some locally heavy rain is possible. Max temps will be in the upper 70s to lower and spotty mid 80s in the valleys, and upper 60s to mid 70s over the higher terrain. The showers and thunderstorms diminish at night with some muggy conditions expected with lows in the 60s, except for mid 50s over the southern Dacks and Greens. Sunday...A secondary cold front and the upper trough axis will attempt to move across the region with still some scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. Substantial sfc heating may be lacking this day, as highs will be lower than Saturday with 70s to lower 80s with a few upper 60s over the mtns. The scattered showers will taper off Sunday night with lows in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Monday to Tuesday....High pressure builds in from the Midwest and Great Lakes Region late Monday into Tuesday. The front remains near New England early Monday, so a threat for isolated to scattered showers or an isolated thunderstorm continues. Some of the activity will be diurnally driven due to differential heating in the valleys to mtns. Temps will be seasonable on Monday in the 70s to around 80F over the mtns and hills, and lower to mid 80s in the valleys. Lows will be similar to Sunday night with lowering dewpts. Most of Tuesday should be dry with weak sfc ridging early on, but then a weak sfc trough of cold front may approach late in the day with isold to scattered showers or an isold thunderstorm. Seasonal temps continue on Tue. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... An upper level disturbance sfc trough will move across the region this afternoon focusing scattered showers and thunderstorms. High pressure will bring fair weather back tonight into Thursday. VFR conditions are expected this afternoon outside of showers/thunderstorms, with brief periods of MVFR/IFR Vsbys within showers/storms. Best chance for thunderstorms will be through 22Z/Wed at KGFL and KALB, through 23Z/Wed at KPSF, and through 00Z/Wed at KPOU. For tonight, abundant low level moisture and light winds should allow areas of fog to form, especially in areas which receive downpours prior to sunset. There is a chance for IFR/LIFR Vsbys/Cigs at all TAF sites, mainly between 06Z-12Z/Thu, although could start earlier at KGFL and KPSF. Once any fog/low clouds lift between 11Z-13Z/Thu, VFR conditions are expected for the remainder of Thursday. Winds will be south to southwest at 5-10 KT this afternoon, with some gusts of 15-20 KT possible. Winds will become southwest to west and decrease to less than 5 KT this evening, and light/variable overnight. On Thursday, winds will be mainly southwest to west at 5-10 KT. Winds will be stronger, and variable in direction in and near any thunderstorms this afternoon. Outlook... Thursday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Friday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA. Friday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA. Saturday: High Operational Impact. Likely SHRA...TSRA. Saturday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA. Sunday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA. Sunday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA. Monday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA. && .FIRE WEATHER... A warm and humid day is expected today with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Rain is not expected on Thursday, with seasonably warm temperatures and minimum RH values in the 50 to 60 percent range. Winds will be fairly light. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible again on Friday, especially north and west of Albany, with minimum RH values 50 to 70 percent. && .HYDROLOGY... Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to move from west to east across the region today. Locally heavy rainfall is possible, which could result in some minor urban/poor drainage flooding, especially since soils are fairly saturated. However, the storms should be progressive, which should mitigate a more widespread flood threat. Dry weather returns on Thursday, but more periods of rain are expected Friday into 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. && .ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CT...None. NY...None. MA...None. VT...None. && SYNOPSIS...Thompson NEAR TERM...NAS/Thompson SHORT TERM...Thompson LONG TERM...Wasula AVIATION...KL FIRE WEATHER...Thompson HYDROLOGY...Thompson
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albany NY 411 AM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ032-033-038>043-047>054-058>061-063>066- 082>084-VTZ013>015-151100- Northern Litchfield-Southern Litchfield-Northern Berkshire- Southern Berkshire-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 Columbia-Eastern Columbia-Western Ulster-Eastern Ulster- Western Dutchess-Eastern Dutchess-Northern Fulton-Southeast Warren- Southern Washington-Bennington-Western Windham-Eastern Windham- 411 AM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York, eastern New York and southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a marginal to slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and evening with the main threat being isolated to scattered damaging wind gusts. Locally heavy rainfall could result in isolated minor urban and poor drainage flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday through Sunday, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. The return of warm and humid conditions may result in heat index values reaching the mid and upper 90s Friday in the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys as well as lower portions of the Berkshires and Litchfield Hills. Heat Advisories may be necessary. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Albany NY 108 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 NYZ041-083-084-141745- Southern Washington-Southeast Warren-Northern Saratoga- 108 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN SARATOGA AND SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES... At 108 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Corinth, or 11 miles northwest of Saratoga Springs, moving east at 30 mph. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Fort Edward, Corinth, Greenwich, Kings, Mount Pleasant, Gates, Wilton, Northumberland, Schuylerville, Victory, Argyle, Center Falls, Grangerville, Kings Station, Greenfield Center, Middle Falls, North Greenfield, Porter Corners, Starks Knob and Clarks Mills. This includes Interstate 87 between exits 16 and 17N. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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. This storm 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. LAT...LON 4314 7401 4324 7401 4329 7343 4304 7345 TIME...MOT...LOC 1708Z 272DEG 28KT 4319 7393 KSL
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
117 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021
NYZ042-043-141800-
Northern Washington-Northern Warren-
117 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN WARREN AND NORTH
CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTIES...
At 116 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Rogers Rock
Campground, or 15 miles north of Whitehall, moving northeast at 65
mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Hague, Rogers Rock Campground, Putnam, Wright, Sabbath Day Point,
Indian Kettles, Graphite, Putnam Station, Silver Bay and Glenburnie.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If you are on or near Lake George, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
LAT...LON 4380 7338 4377 7335 4374 7337 4372 7337
4369 7341 4366 7351 4379 7359 4381 7338
TIME...MOT...LOC 1716Z 246DEG 55KT 4377 7347
ATESpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Albany NY 153 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 NYZ041-084-VTZ013-141845- Southern Washington-Northern Saratoga-Bennington- 153 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL SARATOGA...SOUTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTHWESTERN BENNINGTON COUNTIES... At 152 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Fort Edward, or 8 miles south of Glens Falls, moving east at 30 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Salem, Fort Edward, Greenwich, Gates, Porter, Northumberland, Schuylerville, Rupert, Victory, Sandgate, Argyle, Cossayuna, Center Falls, Goose Island, Grangerville, East Hebron, Middle Falls, West Rupert, Fitch Point and Starks Knob. This includes Interstate 87 between exits 16 and 17N. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. LAT...LON 4309 7315 4309 7375 4326 7371 4332 7325 TIME...MOT...LOC 1752Z 265DEG 26KT 4319 7364 KSL
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
207 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021
NYZ041-053-054-084-VTZ013-014-141845-
Western Rensselaer-Eastern Rensselaer-Southern Washington-Northern
Saratoga-Western Windham-Bennington-
207 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL SARATOGA...SOUTHERN
WASHINGTON...NORTHEASTERN RENSSELAER...NORTHWESTERN BENNINGTON AND
WEST CENTRAL WINDHAM COUNTIES...
At 206 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Greenwich, or
10 miles northeast of Mechanicville, moving east at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Arlington, Salem, Manchester, Shaftsbury, Cambridge, Greenwich,
Manchester Center, Gates, Lee, White Creek, Easton, Stillwater,
Schuylerville, Sunderland, Victory, Sandgate, Glastenbury, Somerset,
Deans Corners and Center White Creek.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 4295 7295 4292 7366 4293 7366 4294 7365
4294 7364 4295 7366 4295 7367 4310 7370
4322 7301
TIME...MOT...LOC 1806Z 261DEG 31KT 4302 7357
ATESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
232 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021
NYZ041-050-053-054-084-141915-
Western Rensselaer-Eastern Rensselaer-Southern Washington-Southern
Saratoga-Northern Saratoga-
232 PM EDT Wed Jul 14 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN SARATOGA...
SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON AND NORTHWESTERN RENSSELAER COUNTIES...
At 231 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Country Knolls,
or near Clifton Park, moving east at 15 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Clifton Park, Mechanicville, Waterford, Round Lake, Country Knolls,
Halfmoon, Malta, Lee, Pittstown, Easton, Stillwater, Schaghticoke,
Valley Falls, Schaghticoke Hill, Johnsonville, Willow Glen, Coons,
Pleasantdale, Elnora and North Cambridge.
This includes Interstate 87 between exits 8A and 12.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 4279 7339 4278 7370 4280 7372 4282 7372
4282 7373 4279 7377 4279 7379 4278 7379
4278 7382 4279 7383 4296 7387 4305 7345
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 260DEG 14KT 4288 7375
ATEThe Albany radar (KENX), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:45 UTC.
14 flash flood, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
There were several reports of trees and wires down in the Poestenkill area.
There was a report of trees down blocking Coila Road.
There were several reports of trees and wires down in Center Brunswick.
Route 278 and Route 7 were flooded with 2-3 feet of moving water at the intersection. There were reports that Route 278 was impassable and closed.
There were several reports of roads flooded or washed out in the Brunswick area, including Moonlawn Road.
There were several reports of roads flooded or washed out in the Eagle Mills area, including Garfield Road, Creek Road, and Dater Hill Road.
There were several reports of roads flooded and washed out in the Poestenkill area, including Plank Road, Snyders Corner Road, and Blue Factory Road.
Several inches of moving water was reported flowing over Route 43 in several locations between West Sand Lake and Averill Park. Route 66 was washed out as well north of Averill Park. Several other roads were closed or washed out in the Town of Sand Lake, including Holcomb Road, Burden Lake Road, Old Best Road, and Taborton Road.
One lane of Columbia Turnpike was reported closed. In addition, rocks and debris were washed onto some roads in the East Greenbush area.
There were reports of water reaching homes and flooding basements along Berkshire Drive and Evergreen Way.
There were several reports of roads flooded or washed out in the town of Schodack.
Several roads were closed or washed out due to flooding in the eastern portion of Sand Lake, including Holcomb Road, North Nassau Road, and Burden Lake Road. A parking lot was washed out at a restaurant on Crooked Lake.
There was a significant amount of flood damage to the northern portion of the Town of Nassau. Several roads were closed, including Burden Lake Road and Nassau-Averill Park Road. Route 66 was closed due to debris over the road at Pike's Pond.
State Route 66 at the intersection of Dardess Drive was flooded.
State Route 295 was reported flooded at Colane Road Intersection.
New Concord Road was flooded between State Route 295 and County Route 9.
There was a report that County Route 24 between County Route 9 and Stonewall Road was flooded.
There were reports of evacuations of about 10 homes along Wyantskill Creek near Brookside Avenue.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New York in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, July 2021
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: 971677, 971676, 971673, 971638, 971640, 971645, 971647, 971652, 971649, 971653, 971650, 975697, 975698, 971657, 971654, 971655, 971656, 971669.