Severe Thunderstorms Threaten New England and New York

A few powerful thunderstorm complexes could blast through New England today. Damaging wind gusts and large hail will be the primary concerns. A separate area with the potential for severe thunderstorms will be found over a large swath of the Plains. 

At the same time as a large and strong high pressure builds over the Mississippi Valley, a disturbance aloft will skirt its northern and eastern fringe over New York and New England through this morning. Hot and humid air to the south clashing with cooler, drier air farther north, will lead to thunderstorms quickly traveling south during this time. On the western edge of this heat ridge, the same proccesses will occur over the Plains from Minnesota to northeastern New Mexico that will also cause severe thunderstorms to form. 

A complex of thunderstorms, where a few may be robust, will likely slide southward from Upstate New York to parts of New England this morning. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted this area with a Slight Risk. The best opportunity for isolated gusty winds of 45 to 55 mph and hail up to quarter-size would be in Upstate New York, including Watertown, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, and Oswego, and northern and western New England. A large swath of the Plains is also in a Slight Risk area today, as there is the potential for severe thunderstorms to develop this afternoon as heating of the day destabilizes the atmosphere.

Albany to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Hartford, Conn., to Worcester, Mass., will need to keep a watchful eye to sky for threatening weather this morning. Brief gusts up to 45 to 50 mph and small hail will be possible in the more intense thunderstorms. Over the Plains, thunderstorms with very large hail (some hailstones may be up to 2" in diameter), strong wind gusts of 50-60 mph and even a few tornadoes could be rumbling this afternoon and evening. Cities in this Slight Risk are Fargo, N.D., Aberdeen S.D., North Platte, Neb., and Dodge City, Kan. 

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A “watch” means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A “warning” means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"