Unusual warmth & atmosphere the culprit
You know the weather is going to be unusual when before 5:00 am, temperatures are as warm as they have been for the whole year AND strong thunderstorms are striking Canadian cities and towns to our north. One batch of heavy thunderstorms over the North Country and Adirondacks has left the area. Central New York, as expected, received none of those thundershowers. As mentioned earlier this morning, the first risk for showers and thundershowers comes late this morning and midday. I am carefully watching to see if this area of rain fall will strengthen or diminish as it approaches our area between 11am and 12pm. Strong winds aloft have been noted with this activity, so it does bare watching. If these showers strengthen, they may tap into stronger winds. I still think the best chance for strong thunderstorms comes later this afternoon with a second round of rain.
That secondary batch of showers and thunderstorms will approach the area by mid to late this afternoon. If temperatures are warm enough and thunderstorms are triggered, there is a lot of atmospheric energy that can be tapped. Looking at the raw numbers in the weather center shows a chance for a major severe weather event locally somewhere across upstate New York and Pennsylvania. The Storm Prediction Center also agrees with the assessment that our area has a slight risk for severe thunderstorms. The primary concern would be for wind damage. However, hail and even an isolated tornado risk cannot be ruled out.
Stay tuned for updates online and on-air for any severe weather watches, warnings or alerts on any imminent weather dangers from thunderstorms, especially this afternoon. This is a fast changing situation. Follow along with me on my facebook page here.
On a side note: It's official! Syracuse is already up to 78° as of Noon. It's the first 70° day since October 27th, 2010 (166 days ago). It's the warmest since September 28th when it was 79° (195 days ago). Last 80° day was September 24th when it was 90°!
For more on your weather forecast, click on "Weather" and then the "Live Triple Doppler Radar" tab on our weather page. Make sure you refresh the Doppler radar to see the very latest information, as well. Furthermore, we have our new Interactive Doppler Radar on our website. You can zoom down to street level with Interactive Doppler Radar. You are in total control of where the radar can zoom in. Give it a try. Plus, click on our Severe Weather Tab and our Watches and Warnings map to see the very latest county specific watches and warnings.In addition, you can "follow" along with me on Twitter by either clicking on the "follow" button on the Twitter section of our weather page or by visiting www.twitter.com/PeteWeatherBeat.
