A line of strong to severe thunderstorms resulted in widespread damage over eastern New York on Wednesday September 8, 2021.
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.
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms resulted in widespread damage over eastern New York on Wednesday September 8, 2021.
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 Sep 8, 4:30 PM EST, 29 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Albany NY 530 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will sweep across the region tonight accompanied by a period of showers and thunderstorms. Some of these storms will be strong to perhaps severe. Thereafter, a cooler and less humid air mass for the remainder of the week with just a chance for a shower, perhaps an isolated thunderstorm. The first half of the weekend looks tranquil with seasonable temperatures. A bit warmer and humid air mass returns Sunday with the threat for a shower. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/... MESOSCALE UPDATE...Minor update to take into account radar/satellite trends with hourly temps/dewpts per observations. Line segments with some embedded bows moving into Montgomery County and northern Warren County. Prev Meso Disc...Surface dewpoints have advected northward with mid and upper 60s for Hudson River Valley locations as SBCAPES over 1000 J/Kg. Our special 18Z sounding reveals a cap around H700, however, ample shear with bulk magnitudes near 50kts. Hodographs depicts low level helicity values over 100 m2/s2 but those LCL's are a bit elevated for the time being. So expectations are for the upstream line(s) of convection to move through the region but seems this line will be over the region after max heating. So a bit mix signals with regard to severe weather but given the strengthening low level convergence and upper level trough/support approaching, a few severe events are possible. Local Maglenta equations point toward minor/major severe event across most of the CWA. Due to a bit slower eastward progress of this upstream front, this too would prolong the chance for showers/t-storms which was extended well into the evening hours. As instability wanes overnight, we will remove the threat of thunder from the forecast/grids. We will need to watch for some rainfall possible training across the southern areas tonight as this region remains rather wet and is within the slight risk of excessive rainfall (see hydro discussion for details). Southerly winds this afternoon and evening will be gusty as times outside of any convection. Those winds will become west- southwest tonight with diminishing speeds with nocturnal cooling and wet ground. Overnight lows into the 50s west of the Hudson with lower half of the 60s along and east of the Hudson. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... Impressive upper trough approaching and upper jet will be moving across the region through the day Thursday. This may prolong the showers along and east of the Hudson for most of the daylight hours. Otherwise, within the cyclonic flow and cooling temperatures aloft, diurnally driven showers are sure to develop. Forecast BUFKIT profiles suggest several hundred J/Kg of SBCAPE will be across eastern NY so we will introduce a slight chance for thunder in the grids. SPC SWODY2 keeps the region in a general thunder but would not be surprised for small hail to develop in any of the deeper convective elements and where sunshine is more prevalent. The core of the upper trough moves across the region Thursday night into Friday. As cold advection continues to move across Lake Ontario, some lake effect rain showers may impact portions of the Dacks and western Mohawk Valley. Otherwise, variable cloudiness with isolated rain showers expected across the region (mainly into the terrain) with lows generally into the 50s, some upper 40s across the Dacks. Highs Friday into the 60s generally with some upper 50s across the highest terrain and lower 70s for the mid-Hudson Valley and southern Litchfield County CT. Friday night into Saturday, a period of tranquil weather with surface ridge and building heights aloft. Should allow for mainly clear skies, diminishing winds and seasonable temperatures. The surface high slides off the Atlantic seaboard Saturday evening as warm advection occurs toward sunset. Overnight lows generally between 45-50F and highs into the 60s across the terrain to lower half of the 70s for valley locations. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... The overall synoptic pattern of the upcoming long term period will become quasi-zonal which will favor seasonably warm temperatures due to ongoing westerly flow. Overall forcing looks rather weak through at least early next week which should keep the forecast mainly dry. Next chance for potentially a more organized system looks to hold off until the middle of next week. Read on for details. Good news for anyone planning outdoor activities this weekend as surface high pressure building into the mid-Atlantic will keep eastern NY and western New England dry under mainly sunny skies on Saturday. Southwest return flow aloft should help advect in warmer temperatures so expect temperatures to warm into the 70s through the region with low humidity. Upper level ridging exits off the New England coast Saturday night and a shortwave trough tracking through Quebec should increase southwesterly flow downstream over the Northeast. This will enhance the warm air advection reaching into our area and allow some high clouds to spill into areas north of I- 90. As a result, temperatures should remain slightly mild Saturday night with lows only reaching into mid to upper 50s. However, the best forcing stays well to our north/west so maintained a dry forecast. Heading into Sunday, the attendant cold front associated with the disturbance tracking through Quebec will gradually sink southward from the NY/Canadian border towards our area. Guidance still suggests moisture and overall forcing remains weak so the front will be slow moving. In fact, the main wind shift boundary noted at 925hPa does not arrive until Sunday night or even Monday. With westerly flow staying strong in the mid-levels, very warm temperatures in the Midwest look to advect eastward into southern New England ahead of the sinking boundary. Therefore, temperatures Sunday should end up being warmer than Saturday with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s for most of the area. The warmest areas should be in the mid-Hudson Valley and NW CT closer to the penetrating warm nose. Precipitation wise, moisture and forcing remain weak and the boundary could get washed out as it runs into the anomalously strong area of high pressure positioned over the southern CONUS. Therefore, we limited POPs to slight chance and only for areas north/west of I- 90. Humidity levels also rise as dew points within the westerly flow regime climb into the 60s. The boundary weakens and stalls over our area Sunday night into Monday. Weak impulses within the fast westerly flow track through our area on Monday which should help push the boundary southward and could allow some showers to develop. Again, overall forcing and moisture are unimpressive so limited POPs to slight chance but placed POPs for most of the region as there is still uncertainty on how quickly the boundary sinks southward. Winds shift to the northwest behind the boundary so temperatures should cool a bit and dew points/humidity should decrease. Even still, expecting seasonably warm temperatures with highs in the mid to upper 70s, again warmest in the mid-Hudson Valley and NW CT ahead of the boundary. The front should reach into the mid-Atlantic or NYC area by Tuesday with a strong area of high pressure from Quebec building southward into northern New England. Depending on where the boundary stalls will determine if we maintain a dry forecast or if we have some chances for showers. For now, we kept chance POPs for Tuesday as the boundary may lift northward as a warm front. && .AVIATION /22Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... VFR conditions will persist through the afternoon before a cold front approaches and tracks through the region between about 23Z/today and 05Z/Thur. A convective line of showers and thunderstorms are expected with the frontal passage. MVFR to IFR visibilities are likely with ceilings gradually lowering with and behind the front. Have included TEMPO groups to account for the timing of the front with fog/low stratus settling in across all TAF sites behind it. Gusty southerly winds will continue through the afternoon and early evening with sustained winds 10-15 kts and gusts up to 20-25 kts. Winds will weaken overnight. Outlook... Thursday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Friday: Low Operational Impact. Breezy. NO SIG WX. Friday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Saturday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Saturday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Sunday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Sunday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX. Monday: Low Operational Impact. Slight Chance of SHRA. && .FIRE WEATHER... A cold front will sweep across the region tonight accompanied by a period of showers and thunderstorms. Some of these storms will be strong to perhaps severe. Thereafter, a cooler and less humid air mass for the remainder of the week with just a chance for a shower, perhaps an isolated thunderstorm. The first half of the weekend looks tranquil with seasonable temperatures. A bit warmer and humid air mass returns Sunday with the threat for a shower. Southerly winds occasionally gusty through this evening with values above 20kts, diminishing to less than 10kts tonight. Maximum relative humidity values at or above 90 percent. Thursday, winds become westerly to west-northwest at 10kts or less with minimum relative humidity values between 55 and 75 percent. && .HYDROLOGY... Weather Prediction Center Excessive Rainfall Outlook (ERO) continues with a slight risk area covering the immediate Capital Region, Taconics, mid-Hudson Valley, Berkshires and portions of southern VT and northwest CT. Surrounding this area is a marginal risk. As moisture surging ahead of the approaching cold front, showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavy downpours late this afternoon into the evening hours. Some storms may produce over an inch of rainfall in a short period of time. While the entire line should be progressing west to east, some heavy bursts of rainfall may repeat over the same area. There will be a threat for isolated to scattered reports of flash flooding, especially in urban,low lying and poor drainage areas. Locations that saw heavier rainfall last week during the remnants of Ida (such as across the Catskills, mid Hudson Valley and NW CT) will be most susceptible for additional flooding. While some small streams and creek will see sharp rises and could cause minor flooding, larger rivers and streams should remain within their banks, so main stem river flooding is not expected to be an issue. Some additional showers are possible on Thursday and Friday thanks to the passing upper level trough, but these amounts look fairly light (generally under a quarter of an inch). This will allow for any rivers/streams that saw rises to recede. Mainly dry weather is expected over the weekend into 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...None. NY...None. MA...None. VT...None. && SYNOPSIS...BGM NEAR TERM...BGM SHORT TERM...BGM LONG TERM...Speciale AVIATION...JLV FIRE WEATHER...Frugis/BGM HYDROLOGY...Frugis/BGM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Albany NY 359 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021 CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ032-033-038>043-047>054-058>061-063>066- 082>084-VTZ013>015-091200- 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- 359 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York, eastern New York and southern Vermont. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Showers are thunderstorms are expected through this evening and into the first part of the tonight. There is a marginal to slight risk for severe thunderstorms. The main threat will be damaging wind gusts as storms track west to east across the area. Brief, isolated tornado cannot be ruled out as well. Showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing heavy downpours. There is a marginal to slight risk for flash flooding. Urban, low lying and poor drainage areas are most as risk, especially for locations that recently experienced flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Widespread hazardous weather is low at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed into this evening. Spotters are encouraged to pass along any reports of wind damage, heavy rainfall or flooding to the National Weather Service via phone, email or social media.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
520 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021
NYZ038>040-047-082-082145-
Southern Fulton NY-Schoharie NY-Northern Fulton NY-
Southern Herkimer NY-Montgomery NY-
520 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of south central Fulton,
northwestern Schoharie and Montgomery Counties through 545 PM EDT...
At 519 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near St. Johnsville to near Cherry Valley to
Elk Creek. Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Gloversville, Johnstown, Cobleskill, Canajoharie, Fonda, Fort Plain,
Ephratah, Sharon Springs, Ames, Tribes Hill, Glen, Carlisle, Sharon,
Seward, Charleston, Fultonville, Palatine Bridge, Nelliston, Meco and
Zeh Corners.
This includes Interstate 90 between exits 28 and 29.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4313 7438 4288 7426 4267 7444 4264 7463
4274 7467 4279 7467 4283 7465 4288 7483
4292 7484
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 250DEG 44KT 4295 7478 4278 7471 4261 7485
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RathbunSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
546 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021
NYZ039>041-047>050-082-082215-
Southern Fulton NY-Eastern Schenectady NY-Schoharie NY-
Northern Fulton NY-Western Schenectady NY-Montgomery NY-
Southern Saratoga NY-Northern Saratoga NY-
546 PM EDT Wed Sep 8 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Schenectady,
southeastern Fulton, southwestern Saratoga, north central Schoharie
and southeastern Montgomery Counties through 615 PM EDT...
At 546 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Gloversville to near Tribes Hill to near
Richmondville. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Amsterdam, Gloversville, Johnstown, Fonda, Glenville, Duanesburg,
Broadalbin, Hagaman, Mayfield, Fort Johnson, Delanson, Galway,
Cranberry Creek, Rotterdam Junction, Tribes Hill,
Pattersonville-Rotterdam Junction, Charlton, Perth, Glen and
Carlisle.
This includes Interstate 90 between exits 27 and 28.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4287 7439 4312 7443 4320 7400 4292 7392
4275 7414 4273 7450
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 263DEG 34KT 4309 7436 4288 7433 4268 7461
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
RathbunThe Albany radar (KENX), 42 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:01 UTC.
28 thunderstorm wind, 2 lightning, 1 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported four trees had been uprooted, one tree snapped, and an outhouse overturned.
A tree was reported down on Jockey Street.
Route 9 in the town of Warrensburg (one mile north of Route 28) was closed due to several downed trees.
There was a report of a tree down on Tannery Hill Road and Miner Road.
Downed trees were reported between Walker Lane and Stonebridge Road in the town of Hague.
A trained weather spotter reported numerous trees snapped and uprooted along Exit 22 north of 9N.
Trees were reported down near Exit 22 and Route 9N on the Northway.
A tree was reported down on Bluebird Road.
Trees and wires were reported down in Kingsbury.
A tree was reported down on the roadway on State Route 149.
Wires were reported down on Park Avenue.
An emergency manager reported a tree on wires and a tree on a residence on Catherine Street in Hudson Falls.
A tree was reported down on the roadway on Duer Road in Fort Edward.
A tree was reported down on Tripp Road.
A tree was reported on wires on Guilder Hollow Road in Granville.
Trees and wires were reported down in Hebron.
A tree was reported down on the road near Route 113.
A tree was reportedly down blocking a roadway.
A large tree limb was reported down on Soc Ring Road.
NWS Employee reported wires down on Johnston Road between Ashford Drive and Ildra Lane.
A large tree limb was reported down.
Wires were reported down.
Albany International Airport reported a wind gust of 70 mph.
Several trees were downed on Aldershoot Road in Colonie.
Lightning caused a fire at a residence near Route 29 in Middle Falls.
Lightning caused a fire at a private residence.
Trees were reported down on Curtis Hill Road in Nassau, NY.
A tree was reported down on State Route 2 in Grafton.
A tree was reported down between Fox Hollow Road and Route 22.
A tree was downed near Ramsey School Road and Route 23A.
Route 385 at Lawrence Ave has all lanes closed due to flooding.
Sheriff reported some minor flooding on State Route 9J.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Washington | 2021-09-08 | Unknown | Direct |
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, September 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: 985287, 985288, 985289, 985290, 985291, 985292, 985293, 985294, 985295, 985352, 986316, 985351, 986324, 985343, 986323, 985297, 985298, 985300, 985301, 985340, 985341, 985342, 985344, 986018, 985389, 986017, 985345, 985346, 985347, 985348, 985349, 985350.