In upstate areas, the immediate threat of storms began to pull away from the region Wednesday as New York started to watch the worst of the rain move out. The worst of the storms have passed, but weather experts are still warning residents to stay aware, as changing conditions might bring more heavy rain, high winds, and isolated storms. Scattered flooding and travel problems are still expected in areas that had strong thunderstorms earlier in the day as the wet weather continues in spots. Residents are advised to continue to check local forecasts and not to assume all weather threats have passed.
National Weather Service Watertown
The National Weather Service Watertown storm report said the severe thunderstorm warning has expired as the worst storms moved out of the affected regions. However, a weather watch for sections of the region was still in effect since conditions in the atmosphere were still favorable for further thunderstorms to develop. The bad weather is either here or imminent. A watch implies people should be on alert for changing weather conditions. Officials asked people to stay tuned throughout the day for updates, especially if they are planning to be out and about, or traveling.
Warning Over, But Watch Still Active
“The warning has expired, but the watch still means the weather is still conducive to producing severe storms.” Thunderstorms can occur with little warning and may produce destructive wind gusts, frequent lightning, and heavy rain.
Residents in low-lying areas should be prepared for local flooding, especially if there has been heavy rain in the past. Motorists are also urged to use caution on wet roads where driving could be unsafe due to poor visibility and pooling water. “The best thing you can do is continue to watch the weather notifications until the watch is lifted.”
Other Regions That Could Be Affected
The Watertown forecast region should monitor local conditions. Even when the heaviest storms pass offshore, sporadic thunderstorms can still bring short periods of torrential downpours and high winds.
Further storm cells are expected, and outdoor events, recreation, and evening transportation may be disrupted. Everyone in the vicinity should secure any unsecured items outside and be ready to move indoors quickly if the severe weather resumes. Weather changes from one community to another, so local weather reports are very important.
Storm Safety Tips
The warning has ended, but it is still important to be prepared. Residents are encouraged to:
- Make a habit of listening to weather forecasts and emergency announcements.
- Avoid any unnecessary travel during intense rain or thunderstorms.
- If you hear thunder close by, go inside.
- Power outages: Charge your mobile devices.
- Even if the water looks shallow, don’t drive over flooded roads.
- These simple actions will help mitigate the risk during quickly changing weather conditions.
What Happens Next?
The existing system should clear the area, and conditions should slowly get better. But scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms could continue until the atmosphere stabilizes. Meteorologists will be monitoring radar, satellite data, and the storm’s progression before deciding whether to cancel the rest of the watch.
