The National Weather Service has scheduled two storm surveys to investigate storm damage from Thursday morning’s storms.
One survey will take place in the Rock Stream area of Yates County, southeast of Dundee near the west shore of Seneca Lake.
The second will be in the Groton and Cortland areas of northeastern Tompkins county and in and around the city of Cortland.
Preliminary survey results are expected to be published by the National Weather Service late Friday.
Storm surveys are conducted to determine whether damage was caused by a tornado or microburst, and how strong the winds were, in addition to timing and location details.
If you are in these areas and experienced damage, please visit https://www.weather.gov/bgm/helpStormReports to share your report.
On a personal note, I decided to chase the storm between Groton and Cortland as it passed nearby my house in order to notify the NWS if a tornado was visible. I did not see any tornado activity where I was, and the tree damage I saw was consistent with a microburst, but that does not mean a tornado did not occur elsewhere. I’ve included a picture of the storm as the core of it passed by and approached Cortland.
Storm chasing is not a casual activity, nor is it a decision I made lightly. I knew exactly where the strongest rotation was and exactly where to go to position myself safely. I did not chase for the thrill, but only to help the National Weather Service and the public. As a professional meteorologist, I strongly discourage storm chasing by the general public or those seeking a thrill. Stay at home and in shelter.
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