Severe Thunderstorm Update – 4:30 PM Tuesday

Late Afternoon Update

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for the Finger Lakes until 11 PM with the primary threat for severe storms coming during the early evening hours.

Scattered, disorganized thunderstorms have popped up in the daytime heating across the Finger Lakes. These storms lack the necessary winds aloft and support from the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere to become well organized.

These storms will continue to push north-northeastward, cycling between weak periods and briefly stronger periods. An isolated case of damaging winds will be possible, but for the most part, these should remain below severe limits.

However, back to the west, a line of thunderstorms has developed and come through eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania with numerous reports of damaging winds.

These storms are associated with some energy in the mid-levels of the atmosphere this is lifting northeast. Some additional support from winds aloft are also helping these storms along.

There remains plenty of fuel to keep these storms churning, and as the disturbance pushes east, they should remain at least semi-organized.

As a result, the greatest severe threat for the Finger Lakes will come this evening, especially between 6-10 PM, as the storms track northeast across the region. Damaging winds are the primary threat, but some hail or a brief tornado, in addition to flash flooding in the areas that have seen recent excessive rain, will be possible.

Do not be fooled by the initial disorganized storms in the Finger Lakes now or the sun setting. These storms should persist well after dark.

As with most severe weather events, however, much of the region will probably not see damage. Nonetheless, please take all warnings seriously and seek shelter if the storms arrive in your neighborhood.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

» Zip Code Forecasts

» Your Forecast