The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for northern and central Vermont, New York’s North Country, and northern New Hampshire. This watch is in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday for most areas, extending to 7 a.m. Wednesday for southern Vermont. Residents should be prepared for damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, large hail up to two inches in diameter, frequent lightning, and torrential downpours. While the risk of a tornado is present, it is not guaranteed.
The affected regions include several counties in each state. In Vermont, the watch covers Chittenden, Washington, Addison, Orange, Rutland, Windsor, Bennington, and Windham counties. In New York, Clinton, Franklin, Essex, and St. Lawrence counties are included. Grafton, Sullivan, and Coos counties in New Hampshire are also under the watch.
Understanding the Watch and Warning System
A watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of Severe thunderstorms, but storms may not necessarily hit every location. On the other hand, a warning indicates that a storm is imminent or occurring. Residents are advised to stay alert for changing weather conditions and be prepared to seek shelter in a sturdy building if a warning is issued for their area.
Storms that have already impacted the region have shown a history of producing large hail and damaging winds. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning has also been reported. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning, so it is crucial to seek shelter immediately.
Timing and Impacts of the Storms
The threat for severe storms will continue through the early morning hours of Wednesday. A cold front moving through the region is expected to bring additional storms as the night progresses. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed the northern parts of the region under an enhanced risk for severe weather, which is a level 3 out of 5 on the severe risk scale. This level of risk is relatively rare, occurring only once every one to two years.
The greatest risk associated with these storms is damaging winds. Wind gusts of 70+ mph can cause scattered power outages and damage similar to, or worse than, a tornado. Large hail and heavy downpours are also expected, although the risk for flooding is considered minor as the storms are expected to move quickly.
The SPC has indicated a 2% and 5% risk for tornadoes in the northern half of the region. While these percentages may seem low, all tornadoes that have occurred this year in the region have spawned during similar risk levels. The outlook includes the possibility of potentially strong tornadoes meaning above EF-2.
Safety Measures and Preparedness
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is crucial to seek shelter immediately. This means going indoors and getting to a basement or the lowest level of your home, away from windows. The best option is an interior room with no windows or a closet. A car or mobile home is not a safe place to shelter.
Residents are advised to turn off Do Not Disturb on their devices before going to bed to ensure they receive important weather alerts. It is also a good idea to charge devices now, just in case of power outages. The further north you are, the higher the risk of severe weather.
Utility crews, campers, and emergency officials are all preparing for the potential severe storms. The Red Cross has opened emergency evacuation shelters in Newport, Vermont, and Haverhill, New Hampshire. Utility companies like Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Co-op have crews on standby to respond to any power outages or damage.
Residents are encouraged to keep flashlights and batteries on hand, charge their phones and electronics, and fill their cars with gas. Being prepared is the best way to stay safe during these heavy storms, which are becoming more common in the region.
