A strong area low pressure moved over the Great Lakes region and a warm front lifting north early in the day put the area into the warm sector of the system, ahead of an approaching cold front. While instability was limited, there was strong wind shear in place, and a line of gusty showers and thunderstorms along and ahead of the cold front produced locally damaging wind gusts.
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.
A strong area low pressure moved over the Great Lakes region and a warm front lifting north early in the day put the area into the warm sector of the system, ahead of an approaching cold front. While instability was limited, there was strong wind shear in place, and a line of gusty showers and thunderstorms along and ahead of the cold front produced locally damaging wind gusts. A funnel cloud embedded within the line was briefly observed south of the Syracuse area. There was also a tight pressure gradient in place which resulted in strong, locally damaging non-thunderstorm synoptic winds prior to the cold frontal passage as well.
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 Mar 16, 12:53 PM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
153 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong cold front will move through the area today, which
will bring rain showers, scattered thunderstorms and windy
conditions along with a chance for localized flooding. Showers
shift east by Monday afternoon, with temporarily cooler
weather. Warm temperatures return on Tuesday and Wednesday with
plenty of sunshine expected.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
135 PM Update:
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for western portions
of the forecast area, including the central southern tier of NY
and the western Finger Lakes; which is in effect until 7 PM this
evening. The atmosphere is destabilizing in this area and a
developing line of thunderstorms in western NY/PA is moving this
way. The line of storms will likely continue trekking east,
reaching the I-81 corridor by 5-6 PM this evening, then gradually
weakening as it reaches the Catskills/Mohawk Valley and Poconos
by 6-8 PM. The Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) was expanded with
the midday SPC outlook update...now reaching the I-81 corridor
with a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) now covering most of the
rest of the CWA, except far eastern areas. The biggest concern
is still the potential for strong, gusty and isolated damaging
winds. There is now also an isolated tornado potential, with SPC
including a 2% chance for most of the Central NY and NE PA.
1015 AM Update:
Main concerns are the increasing winds today, with 850mb winds
reaching 50-75 kts through the afternoon. KBGM VAD wind profile
is showing this already, with 62kt winds 1km Above Ground Level
(AGL) and 80-85 kt winds at 2km AGL as of 1008AM EDT. These are
impressive low level winds. These strong winds are occasionally
mixing down to the surface, where gusts are currently between
35-45 mph across the Finger Lakes and Syracuse area. The 12z
HRRR is showing the potential for these, and even stronger winds
40-60 mph mixing down to the surface for several hours this
afternoon across most of the CWA. There is even the potential of
gravity waves to occasionally drag down very strong gusts this
afternoon. Visible satellite imagery is showing partial
clearing back across western PA at this time, which will head
east into our area this afternoon...this should further
destabilize things in aid in mixing stronger winds to the
surface. Therefore, decided to expand the wind advisory to cover
the entire forecast area, and extended the time until 8 PM EDT
for the new eastern segment of the advisory.
Severe thunderstorm, and strong wind potential is increasing as
again the latest model guidance is picking up on the clearing
and enhanced daytime heating and instability that is heading
this way. SPC has upgraded the central southern tier region to a
slight risk (level 2 of 5) and expanded the marginal rise (level
1 of 5) further east to around the I-81 corridor. 12z NAM and
HRRR now show potentially 175-350 J/Kg of MLCAPE over at least
the western half of the CWA as a potential squall line of low
topped convection develops this afternoon. The main timing
window looks to be from about 2 PM in the west, 5 PM along I-81
and exiting east of the Catskills/Poconos by around 8 PM this
evening. Flood watch remains in effect for Oneida county, mainly
for rapid snow melt and some rainfall, up to about 1 inch as
well. We will monitor creeks and water levels very closely in
this area over the coming 24 hours or so.
655 AM Update:
Minor adjustments to PoPs for this morning, but otherwise the
forecast remains on track.
420 AM Update:
Overall, a very active near term forecast period is expected,
especially this afternoon. Main concerns will be the flooding
potential in Oneida County due to rainfall on top of rapidly
melting snow, localized flash flooding potential elsewhere,
gusty winds, and perhaps a few thunderstorms this afternoon that
may produce locally damaging winds.
A warm front extending from a strong area of low pressure moving
into the Great Lakes Region continues to push through the region
early this morning. Temperatures and dew points early this
morning have been gradually rising with this warm front passage.
A few light showers/drizzle have occurred (and will continue
through the remainder of the morning), but the bulk of the rain
will hold off until this afternoon with the cold front passage.
High temperatures today are expected to be well into the 60s and
perhaps near 70 degrees in some of the lower elevations.
The aforementioned cold front is expected to drag a line (or at
least a broken line) of heavier showers through the region this
afternoon. Instability will be limited, but with plenty of shear
present, there could be a few thunderstorms as well that may
produce locally damaging winds. Even if there isn't any thunder
present (which is a possibility with the limited instability),
the convective nature of the showers will still have the
ability to bring the locally damaging winds down to the surface.
Another hazard today will be the locally heavy rainfall,
combined with a lot of snowmelt across Oneida County which will
likely result in flooding of area creeks/streams/tributaries
there. A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Oneida
County. Please refer to the Hydrology section of this AFD for
more details on the flooding threat. Elsewhere, localized
instances of flash flooding are possible, but with the rather
progressive nature of the cold front passage and the lack of
snow on the ground to melt, the flooding threat will be less
widespread.
Finally, another hazard today will be the gusty synoptic winds
with a strong southerly flow and a tight pressure gradient.
Occasional wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible at times for
most areas west of I-81 and along the NY Thruway Corridor. A
Wind Advisory was already in effect for parts of the Finger
Lakes Region to southern Oneida County, but confidence in seeing
some advisory-level gusts has increased for Bradford and Wyoming
counties in Northeast PA as well as Chemung and Tioga counties
in the Southern Tier of NY. As a result, the Wind Advisory was
expanded to include those areas.
The cold front will continue it's progression eastward through
the area this evening. Showers and perhaps a thunderstorm will
be most likely east of I-81 before midnight, before the front
clears the area. A few lingering showers will still be possible
after midnight, but otherwise a drying trend is expected the
remainder of the night. Low temperatures by daybreak Monday
morning will likely be in the mid 30s to lower 40s west of I-81,
with upper 30s to mid 40s east of I-81.
High pressure begins to move into the area on Monday, which will
bring gradual clearing skies. A lingering shower or two still
cannot be ruled out in the morning across the Poconos-Catskills
and perhaps a few light lake enhanced rain or even snow showers
across parts of the Finger Lakes Region, but otherwise Monday
will mark the start of a dry weather pattern that will last
until Thursday. Behind the cold front, it will be noticeably
cooler with highs in the upper 30s to mid 40s. These highs are
at, or just a touch below normal for this time of the year.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
115 PM update...
Main concerns in the short term are focused on the ridge of
higher pressure building in from the southwest and rapidly
warming air moving into the region.
Weather conditions will be generally quiet Tuesday and
Wednesday this week with no precipitation expected, but with
rising temperatures and dry weather conditions, there is an
increasing risk for enhanced fire weather conditions.
A cool/moist air mass in place Monday will be exiting to the
east/northeast on Tuesday as the northern edge of a relatively
low amplitude ridge expands from the Ohio Valley into the Mid
Atlantic and Northeast. As this occurs, 850mb temperatures will
rise from around +1 deg C Tuesday morning to about +7 deg C
Tuesday evening, and to around +12 C Wed afternoon. The initial
push of warm air and weak ridging on Tuesday will be re-
enforced and further emphasized on Wednesday as a deep trough
digs into the Central Plains and amplifies the ridge to the east
and pulls north an even warmer air mass.
The result of this pattern will be mostly sunny skies on
Tuesday with afternoon highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s. Low
dew points on Tuesday will drop RH values into the 25 to 30 pct
range. The clear skies on Tue night will allow temperatures to
fall into the 30s with recovery RH values into the 70-80 pct
range. Slightly warmer temperatures on Wed...well into the 60s
along with slightly higher dew points (into the mid 30s) will
produce another day with RH values bottoming out in the mid 30
pct range.
Light southerly winds on Tuesday will be replaced by strong
winds on Wednesday. Look for south/SE winds 15 to 20 mph and
gusts up to 30 mph.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
115 PM update...
The warm air mass in place on Wednesday will linger Wed night
and the early part of Thu as a deepening trough of low pressure
rotates through the Ohio Valley into the East Coast. This system
will bring a period of persistent rain showers to the region,
mainly during the day Thursday, and as the cold air moves in on
the back side of the system, many of the rain showers will mix
with and potentially change to snow showers Thu evening. Surface
temperatures will fall from the upper 50s Thu morning into the
lower 40s by the early evening hours and eventually into the
upper 20s and lower 30s late Thu night.
The cold Canadian air will push in aggressively from the
northwest during the day Friday and act to produce lake enhanced
showers, mainly in the form of snow in the morning, but likely
a mix of snow and rain in the lower elevation areas Friday
afternoon. Snow accumulations will be very light to none. The
fast northwest flow (NW winds 15 to 25 mph and gusts to 35 mph)
should keep most of the snow showers southeast of Lake Ontario
and by late Friday evening the 850mb ridge axis is expected to
move in and allow the winds to back and most of the snow showers
to come to an end.
More seasonable temperatures will be felt on Saturday with
highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s. High pressure looks to
build in before the next round of showers Saturday night into
the latter part of the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
145 PM Update
A mix of MVFR and lower end VFR conditions across the forecast
area early this afternoon. Conditons are expected to deteriorate
down to MVFR/MVFR Fuel Alt areawide later this afternoon and
early evening as rain overspreads the region. A line of
thunderstorms is also expected to move west to east through the
area mainly between 20-22z at ELM, ITH and SYR, and 20-23z at
BGM...included a tempo at these sites for TSRA...not enough
confidence at RME and AVP to include TSRA just yet as the CAMs
were not showing much convection reaching these sites. Will
amend to include TSRA if probabilities increase at these taf
sites. The rain is looking slower to exit, and could linger
through at least the late evening hours. Model guidance shows a
brief wind from about 00z to 03z where CIGs improve back to
lower end VFR; confidence in this happening is only moderate.
Then, as winds shift NW CIGS and VSBYs drop back to MVFR, MVFR
Fuel Alt for all tafs sites...except IFR likely at BGM and ITH
late tonight through Monday morning.
Gusty southerly winds (occasional gusts of 30-40 kts) are
expected this afternoon, before diminishing this evening and
shifting to more west-northwesterly. LLWS is also expected
through most of the day, before dissipating this evening.
Outlook...
Monday afternoon...Post-frontal ceiling restrictions lingering
into the afternoon, then gradual improvement back to VFR between
about 21z to 24z.
Tuesday through Wednesday...Mainly VFR.
Thursday...Occasional restrictions possible along with scattered
rain showers.
Friday...Restrictions possible with scattered snow and rain
showers.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Moderate to locally heavy rainfall is expected today, which may
result in isolated flash flooding across Central NY and
Northeast PA. Of larger concern is this rainfall occurring in
Oneida County, particularly across northern Oneida County where
there is still between 6-12 inches of liquid contained within
the very deep snowpack. Warm temperatures are also expected,
coupled with gusty southerly winds and higher humidity. Snow
pack temperatures have risen to 32 degrees and is saturated so
rain will run directly into rivers. The warm rain will also help
accelerate snowmelt during the rainfall. The combination of the
rain and snowmelt is likely to cause flooding in parts of
Oneida County Sunday into Monday. The Fish Creek watershed is of
particular concern for flooding; both east and west branches
and especially from the confluence down through where it empties
into Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach. However, the tributaries of
the Mohawk River upstream of Delta Lake are also looking to be
of higher concern. There is significant snow-water equivalent
in the headwaters of the branches; a big portion of which will
get sent down the branches of the Mohawk along with runoff from
any rain.
&&
.BGM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Wind Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for PAZ038-043.
Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for PAZ039-040-044-
047-048-072.
NY...Flood Watch through Monday evening for NYZ009-037.
Wind Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for NYZ015>018-
022>025-036-037-044-055.
Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NYZ045-046-056-
057-062.
&&
SYNOPSIS...BJG/MJM
NEAR TERM...BJG/MJM
SHORT TERM...BJT
LONG TERM...BJT
AVIATION...BJG/MJM
HYDROLOGY...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Binghamton NY 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 NYZ046-057-062-PAZ040-048-072-171800- Otsego-Delaware-Sullivan-Northern Wayne-Pike-Southern Wayne- 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York and northeast Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not 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. NYZ009-171800- Northern Oneida- 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Also, showers and possibly a few thunderstorms may result in strong winds this afternoon into the evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .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. NYZ037-171800- Southern Oneida- 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .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. NYZ045-056-PAZ039-044-047-171800- Chenango-Broome-Susquehanna-Lackawanna-Luzerne- 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York and northeast Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not 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. NYZ017-018-024-025-036-044-055-PAZ038-043-171800- Southern Cayuga-Onondaga-Chemung-Tompkins-Madison-Cortland-Tioga- Bradford-Wyoming- 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York and northeast Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not 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. NYZ015-016-022-023-171800- Yates-Seneca-Steuben-Schuyler- 151 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 55 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not 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.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
244 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0242 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Enfield 42.43N 76.63W
03/16/2025 Tompkins NY 911 Call Center
Reports of trees and poles down.
0243 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Dryden 42.49N 76.30W
03/16/2025 Tompkins NY 911 Call Center
Reports of multiple trees and poles down.
&&The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:25 UTC.
34 thunderstorm wind, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong thunderstorm winds resulted in multiple reports of trees knocked down. A tree also fell down onto a residence.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down several trees in the area.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees.
Strong thunderstorm winds partially tore off a roof of a building.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 62 mph gust at the Addison New York State Mesonet Station.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees. A brush fire also started.
Strong thunderstorm winds uprooted numerous trees with some trees falling on sheds. Some docks on Lamoka Lake were lifted up.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and a car became stuck.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 62 mph gust at the Tyrone Mesonet Station.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 63 mph gust at KPEO.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 58 mph gust at KELM.
Strong thunderstorm winds caused the front porch and the southside roof of a residence on County Line Road to be blown away.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees, mostly in the woods, but there were a couple of cars that had trees fall on them.
Strong thunderstorm winds partially ripped off a metal roof.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down a tree and limbs onto the roadway blocking one lane.
Strong thunderstorm winds snapped a large tree in the middle. Another nearby large tree landed on a house.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down 10 to 12 trees near Hillendale Golf Course.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down several trees as well as damaged a camper. A personal weather station recorded 59 mph winds.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 72 mph gust at the Scipio Center New York State Mesonet Station.
Strong thunderstorm winds uprooted and snapped a few small trees, knocked down numerous large tree branches and a stop sign around and just off of Cornell University property.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down multiple trees and wires in the area.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 72 mph gust at the Skaneateles New York State Mesonet Station: Station ID DVI12379.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 61 mph gust at the Groton New York State Mesonet Station.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees.
A funnel cloud was observed by the public that moved from Onondaga Nation north of Nedrow. It lasted less than a minute.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 61 mph gust at KSYR. Another 61 mph wind gust was recorded shortly after at 16:08 EST.
Strong thunderstorm winds led to an industrial building to lose part of its roof.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down multiple trees and wires in the area.
Strong thunderstorm winds produced a 62 mph gust at the Fayetteville New York State Mesonet Station.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down multiple trees and wires in the area.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees on Route 31, Maple Road and Mud Mill Road.
Strong thunderstorm winds lifted off the roof of a barn.
Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down trees throughout the county.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New York in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, March 2025
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: 1244242, 1244251, 1244249, 1244245, 1244255, 1244283, 1244263, 1244258, 1244378, 1244253, 1244385, 1244348, 1244260, 1245668, 1245669, 1245672, 1245674, 1244261, 1244290, 1244345, 1244340, 1245641, 1244707, 1245635, 1244262, 1245594, 1244695, 1244422, 1245633, 1244425, 1245636, 1245592, 1245599, 1245650, 1245659.