Deep moisture from the Atlantic Ocean was fed into a warm frontal zone located over Central New York by low pressure near New York City. This led to areas of moderate to heavy rainfall totaling between 3 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts.
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 BGM wrote it up.
Deep moisture from the Atlantic Ocean was fed into a warm frontal zone located over Central New York by low pressure near New York City. This led to areas of moderate to heavy rainfall totaling between 3 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts. This rainfall led to widespread flash flooding across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes 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 Binghamton, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 26, 6:03 AM EST, 5 hours 25 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
703 AM EDT Tue Oct 26 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong low pressure system will bring periods of rain through
tonight. Rain could be heavy enough for flash flooding in
northeast PA and the Catskills of NY. Dry and seasonably mild
weather returns Wednesday afternoon through Thursday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
412 am update...
Main challenge in the near term is centered around the complex
low pressure system developing off the coast and the resulting
rain, which could prove heavy at times and potentially lead to
pockets of flash flooding through today.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for portions of central
NY and all of northeast PA through this evening.
Current synoptic set up is very chaotic with the parent 500 mb
upper low over the nrn Great Lakes and a short wave extending
south into the mid Atlantic region...and a surface low which has
nearly completed a transfer to the coast of NJ and in the
beginning stages of phasing with a quasi-tropical low a couple
hundred miles off the coast. The low near NJ has started to draw
up a maritime air mass into itself and is starting to deposit
heavy rain in and around the NYC area. There is a weak amount of
instability present as well, which will aid in focusing the
deep convection over parts of nrn NJ, NYC and into CT. The
position of this heavy rain/deep convection could likely play an
important role in robbing areas of central NY and ne PA of both
moisture and instability through at least the mid morning
hours today...limiting the intensity of the rainfall during
this time.
So, for the rest of the morning hours, will likely continue to
see steady rain being ushered into the region along and east of
I-81 with rainfall rates around a tenth to a quarter inch per
hour. Farther to the west weak scattered convective rain showers
will continue to bubble up around the Finger Lakes with rates
around a tenth of an inch per hour.
Locations of the Poconos and into the Catskills have seen
around a half to 1 inch of rain so far since last evening. While
lesser amounts can be found farther west, except for a few
embedded heavier showers in the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley
that have produced several isolated one third to half inch
amounts.
Once the two surface lows merge off the coast later this
morning the low level dynamic field will pick up strength and
throw moisture and needed forcing back to the northwest along
the baroclinic zone in NY, which should act to enhance rainfall
rates initially over the watch area which could prove impactful
to areas that are already saturated, and then farther to the
west in the afternoon over areas that are not as wet and
potentially more able to handle the rain. The highest risk
timeframe will likely be around 10 am or so until about 3
pm...earlier over ne PA and s-central NY, and later across the
Finger Lakes. A broad area of 1-2 inches is expected in a
relatively short period of time which could cause some flooding
issues, especially in flood prone areas. Some headwater
locations and smaller streams and creeks which could rise
quickly and cause minor flooding issues.
The area of heavy rain this afternoon will continue shifting to
the west/sw into the early evening, but quickly get cutoff from
the moisture source and dissipate rapidly. Lingering light rain
showers are likely into the early overnight hours but most of
the rain will be gone by sunrise Wednesday. A slow improvement
in conditions will be felt on Wed with winds remaining steady
out of the n/nw around 5 to 15 mph, and clouds taking a good
portion of the day to scatter out. Temperatures will remain on
the mild side with highs topping out in the upper 50s to near
60.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
350 AM Update:
The short term period will be quiet with dry weather as upper
level ridging and surface high pressure will build into the
region. Mostly clear skies and relatively light winds will
create decent radiational cooling conditions Wednesday night
and allow temperatures to drop to the mid 30s to lower 40s, with
some lower 30s possible in the usual colder spots of the
Catskills and northern Oneida County. These lows are close to
normal for this time of the year.
Thursday looks to be a pleasant late October day with mostly
sunny skies. Highs are expected to be in the upper 50s to lower
60s. By Thursday night, the high pressure system will depart the
area as the next storm system approaches from the southwest.
This will result in increasing clouds and perhaps a few isolated
rain showers from the Wyoming Valley to the Twin Tiers. That
being said, the majority of the area should remain rain-free
until after daybreak on Friday. Lows Thursday night are expected
to be in the upper 30s to mid 40s.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
350 AM Update:
Overall, the long term period looks rather unsettled once
again, at least through the weekend.
A low pressure system will track northeastward through the Ohio
Valley and into the Northeast Friday through Saturday. While
there remains some minor timing differences between the various
model solutions, confidence is high for seeing periods of rain
ahead of this system on Friday and as the system passes through
on Saturday. Rain may become more showery in nature by Saturday
with perhaps some breaks, but still looking like an overall
dreary start to the weekend. Rainfall totals are a bit uncertain
this far out, but will have to watch for potential localized
flooding issues, especially after the rainfall from today's
storm system. Temperatures will be seasonably cool with highs
likely in the 50s on Friday and in the mid 50s to lower 60s on
Saturday.
The storm system will exit the region to the northeast on Sunday
with some weak ridging moving in from the west. However, a cool
northwest flow will allow for some lake enhanced rain showers
for portions of the area, especially across Central NY.
Otherwise, mostly cloudy skies are expected to continue with
highs in the 50s.
Drier conditions are expected for the beginning of next week,
although a few isolated rain showers still cannot be ruled out.
Temperatures will be seasonable with highs mainly in the 50s and
lows in the 30s and 40s.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
A broad area of steady, moderate rain continues to spread across
the region this morning and there is expected to be a secondary
push of moderate to maybe heavy rain this morning that will move
across AVP and then BGM and ELM/ITH/SYR/RME by this afternoon.
Flight restrictions will continue to vary wildly but the
predominant level will be below alt minimums to fuel alternate
required. Winds will be gusty around 10 to 20 kt today and even
into tonight. However, the overall trend later today and this
evening should be to shift IFR conditions to MVFR/fuel alternate
as the rain dissipates...and then a brief return to IFR in fog
late tonight before conditions start to improve north to south
after 10Z.
Outlook...
Wednesday through Thursday...Mainly VFR.
Friday through Saturday...Restrictions likely with rain.
&&
.BGM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for PAZ038>040-043-044-
047-048-072.
NY...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for NYZ045-046-055>057-
062.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BJT
NEAR TERM...BJT
SHORT TERM...BJG
LONG TERM...BJG
AVIATION...BJT/MPHHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Binghamton NY 413 AM EDT Tue Oct 26 2021 NYZ045-046-055>057-062-PAZ038>040-043-044-047-048-072-270815- Chenango-Otsego-Tioga-Broome-Delaware-Sullivan-Bradford-Susquehanna- Northern Wayne-Wyoming-Lackawanna-Luzerne-Pike-Southern Wayne- 413 AM EDT Tue Oct 26 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York and northeast Pennsylvania. .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. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. Please relay any information about severe weather to the NWS while following local, state and CDC guidelines. NYZ009-015>018-022>025-036-037-044-270815- Northern Oneida-Yates-Seneca-Southern Cayuga-Onondaga-Steuben- Schuyler-Chemung-Tompkins-Madison-Southern Oneida-Cortland- 413 AM EDT Tue Oct 26 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1036 AM EDT TUE OCT 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1010 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 ENE FOREST PARK 41.16N 74.99W
10/26/2021 E3.85 INCH PIKE PA PUBLIC
RAINFALL ESTIMATED FROM PIC OF RAIN GAUGE
SHARED ON TWITTER.
&&
AJGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1054 AM EDT TUE OCT 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1054 AM HEAVY RAIN BEACH LAKE 41.60N 75.14W
10/26/2021 M3.04 INCH WAYNE PA TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
AJGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1056 AM EDT TUE OCT 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1050 AM HEAVY RAIN FOREST HOME 42.45N 76.47W
10/26/2021 M1.00 INCH TOMPKINS NY TRAINED SPOTTER
1 INCH AT CORNELL SINCE 10 PM LAST NIGHT.
&&
AJGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1139 AM EDT TUE OCT 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1130 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 NE BEACH LAKE 41.60N 75.14W
10/26/2021 M3.25 INCH WAYNE PA COCORAHS
2.25 INCHES BETWEEN 9PM AND 7AM, AN
ADDITIONAL INCH HAS FALLEN SINCE 7AM.
&&
AJGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1210 PM EDT TUE OCT 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 PM HEAVY RAIN LIBERTY 41.80N 74.74W
10/26/2021 M3.56 INCH SULLIVAN NY TRAINED SPOTTER
REPORTED 2.09 THIS MORNING, RECEIVED ANOTHER
1.47 SINCE 7AM WITH A TOTAL NOW OF 3.56.
&&
AJGPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BINGHAMTON NY
1224 PM EDT TUE OCT 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1224 PM HEAVY RAIN BEACH LAKE 41.60N 75.14W
10/26/2021 M4.00 INCH WAYNE PA TRAINED SPOTTER
UPDATED TOTAL FOR BEACH LAKE. 4 INCHES AND
STILL RAINING.
&&
AJGThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
33 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe flash flooding reported on NY-52. All lanes blocked.
Vehicle reported in the river near NY-17B and Mesmer Hill Rd. Water washing out roadway.
Flash flooding reported on US-20 between Tully Farms Road and Case Hill Road. All lanes closed.
Numerous roads were flooded in the Village of Hancock.
Numerous roads were flooded in and around Margaretville.
Numerous roads reported flooded in the area. Water rescues were underway.
Numerous roads were flooded. Water rescues in progress.
Numerous roads were flooded with water rescues underway.
Numerous roads were flooded with water rescues underway.
Numerous roads were flooded with water rescues underway.
Up to 8 inches of water was rapidly flowing across Gully Road.
Flash flooding reported on NY-290 between North Manlius Street and Clemons Road.
Flooding on Interstate 81, NY-11 and U.S. Route 20 near Exit 15 in Lafayette. All lanes closed.
Multiple locations along Route 11 in, and around, Cortland were under water due to flash flooding.
Oquaga Creek was reported to be flooding the area.
Social media reported that water was out of banks on the creek in Marcellus Park.
Flooding reported on Warren Road just south of Hanshaw Road near the Cornell Golf course.
State Route 26 in Glen Aubrey was closed due to flash flooding.
Flooding of properties along Triphammer Road near Asbury Road was reported by social media.
Flooding of properties along Mott Road in Dryden reported via social media.
Flash flooding reported across Bull Street in Cicero.
Flash flooding damaged numerous roadways and homes. Voluntary evacuation of 14 homes occurred due to flooding.
Widespread road flooding in the vicinity of Kirk Park was reported.
Widespread flooding of roads led to many closures in Cortland.
Nanticoke Creek reported to be flooding several locations along Tiona and Nanticoke Roads.
There was significant flash flooding of roads, yards, outbuildings and homes in Locke near the junction of NY-90 and NY-38.
Numerous roads, and a few homes, were flooded throughout the village. Many roads were closed and a State of Emergency was in effect for the area.
Widespread flash flooding occurred throughout the city.
Numerous roads and homes were flooding in the area.
Widespread flooding of roads and homes was occurring in the area.
Significant flooding along Owasco Inlet and in the Village of Moravia occurred. Water was deep across West Cayuga Street.
Flash flooding along Mill Creek inundated several roads and homes.
Widespread flooding of city streets on the south part of Ithaca.
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, October 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: 989686, 989687, 989691, 989692, 989695, 989696, 989697, 989698, 989699, 989700, 989701, 989702, 989856, 989855, 989850, 989847, 989846, 989843, 989832, 989829, 989830, 989817, 989819, 989822, 989827, 989816, 989810, 989809, 989803, 989805, 989806, 989808, 989802.