Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena - CIG

Storm Data and Unusual Weather PhenomenaTimePath PathNumber ofEstimatedLocal/ Length WidthPersonsDamageLocation DateStandard (Miles) (Yards) Killed Injured Property Crops Character of StormMarch 1998NEW YORK, NorthNYZ026>031-034>035 Northern St. Lawrence - Northern Franklin - Northeast Clinton - Southern St. Lawrence - Southern Franklin- Southwest Clinton - Western Essex - Eastern Essex14150800EST0200EST0 0Light SnowAn area of low pressure moved across northern New York Saturday (March 14) and then into northern New England. The systemcontinued east and moved into the Canadian maritimes Sunday (March 15). A complex pattern of snowfall resulted withaccumulations of generally 3 to 6 inches across northern New York.NYZ026>031-034>035 Northern St. Lawrence - Northern Franklin - Northeast Clinton - Southern St. Lawrence - Southern Franklin- Southwest Clinton - Western Essex - Eastern Essex21221000EST1400EST0 0 50KHeavy SnowA storm system along the Virginia coast on Saturday (March 21) moved slowly northeast into the Gulf of Maine late Sunday andSunday night (March 22) . Snow was heavy Saturday night into Sunday morning with a number of traffic accidents reported andbrief power outages. The snow tapered off to snow showers Sunday night. Snow accumulations were generally 8 to 18 inchesacross northern New York. The following are a few snow accumulations from across the area:Clinton CountyCountywideEssex CountyCountywideSt. Lawrence CountyCountywideFranklin CountyCountywideNEW YORK, WestNYZ010-012-019>020Ellenburg DepotSouth ColtonMaloneRay Brook(Clinton county)..............18.0 inches(St. Lawrence county).....14.0 inches(Franklin county).............12.0 inches(Essex county)................. 9.0 inches.28 1550EST0 0 250KFlood31 2359ESTUnseasonably warm weather resulted in dramatic snowmelt with rapid rises on rivers the last few days of March. In addition,showers and thunderstorms with heavy downpours moved across the area on the 30th aggravating the flooding. Among the streamsand rivers flooding were the Great Chazy which began flooding at 350 pm est Saturday March 28 and the Saranac River whichbegan flooding at 8 AM Sunday March 29th. These rivers continued to exceed flood stage through the end of the month with roadclosures. By March 30th, road washouts were especially severe in the towns of Chazy, Altona, Champlain, Mooers and Ellenburg.By late Sunday (March 29), a state of emergency was declared in the county especially for the towns of Ellenburg and Champlain.30312330EST0500EST0 0 10KFloodUnseasonably warm weather resulted in dramatic snowmelt with rapid rises on rivers the last few days of March. In addition,showers and thunderstorms with heavy downpours moved across the area on the 30th enhancing the runoff into area rivers. TheAusable River experienced minor flooding between Jay and Au Sable Forks.31 0300EST0 0 10KFlood2359ESTUnseasonably warm weather resulted in dramatic snowmelt with rapid rises on some rivers the last few days of March. In addition,showers and thunderstorms with heavy downpours moved across the area on the 30th enhancing the rises in rivers. Among thestreams and rivers flooding were the Oswegatchie and Raquette. These rivers continued to exceed flood stage through the end of themonth with extensive field flooding and some road closures.31 0300EST0 0 10KFlood2359ESTUnseasonably warm weather resulted in dramatic snowmelt with rapid rises on rivers the last few days of March. In addition,showers and thunderstorms with heavy downpours moved across the area on the 30th enhancing the runoff into streams and rivers.The Salmon River, among others, experienced flooding from early on the 31st through the end of the month. This resulted in localroad closures.Erie - Wyoming - Chautauqua - Cattaraugus14 1733EST0 0 50KHeavy Snow15 0200ESTCold air crossing the warmer waters of Lake Erie produced lake effect snow squalls. The heavy snow resulted in slick roadways andnumerous accidents. One chain-reaction accident, involving over 30 cars, forced the closing of the Skyway in downtown Buffalo forabout 90 minutes. Snowfall amounts included: 6" at the Buffalo Airport; 7" in Jamestown; 8" in Ellicottville; 10" in Arcade andSouth Dayton; and 12" in Perrysburg.122 116