Prepare for pea-sized hail and thunderstorms to hit New York City on Monday

A report was issued by the National Weather Service at 9:58 p.m. Monday for severe thunderstorms through 11 p.m. for Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties.

Be aware of pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts up to 50 mph.

“At 9:58 p.m., Doppler radar detected severe thunderstorms along a line extending from Scaroon Manor Public Campground to 7 miles southwest of Fort Edward. Movement was east at 30 mph,” the weather service said. “Wind gusts could cause tree limbs to fall and loose objects to fly. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.”

The communities affected by the alert include Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, Warrensburg, Whitehall, Salem, Manchester, Lake George Village, Fort Edward, Granville, Hartford, Dorset, Hague, Comstock, Bolton Landing, Glens Falls North, Manchester Center, Rogers Rock Campground, West Glens Falls, Huletts Landing and Putnam. This includes Interstate 87 between Exits 16 and 25.

The weather service says: “If you are outside, consider taking shelter inside a building. Heavy rains also occur with these storms and can lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle on flooded roads. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until midnight for east-central New York.”

Preparing for approaching lightning: expert safety tips

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning kills approximately 20 people each year, according to the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as storms approach, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually diminishing as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a storm, consider the following recommendations:

Lightning Safety Plan:

When venturing outdoors, it is essential to have a clear plan for seeking shelter in the event of lightning.
Watch the sky for signs of danger and listen for thunder. If you hear thunder, it is an indication that lightning is nearby.
Quickly seek shelter in a safe place, preferably indoors.

Safety measures inside:

Once you have found shelter indoors, refrain from using landline phones, electrical appliances or plumbing fixtures, and avoid going near windows and doors.
These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, because lightning can follow conductive paths.

Wait for the green light:

After the last lightning or thunder strike, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm appears to have passed, so be careful.

When indoor shelter is not available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, follow these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops or ridges, which put you at higher risk of lightning.
Avoid large, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower trees.
If you are in a group, make sure that individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transmitting between people.
Camping in an open area during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no other choice, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. It is important to note that a tent does not provide any protection from lightning.
Stay away from bodies of water, wet objects, or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are efficient conductors of electricity and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when faced with the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparation are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roads ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

Rain can make roads dangerous. Stay informed and follow these tips from the weather service to stay safe during heavy rain:

Beware of fast water flow:

During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where flowing water can pose a serious hazard.

Maintain safe driving distances:

Follow the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. In heavy rain, allow an extra two seconds of following distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking efficiency.

Slow down and drive carefully:

On wet roads, it is essential to reduce your speed. Gradually release the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden braking to avoid skidding.

Choose your path wisely:

Stay in the middle lanes: water tends to collect in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Be especially vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-stained windows can obscure them.

Beware of slippery roads:

Be especially careful during the first half hour after the rain begins. Dirt and oil on the road mix with the water and make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. Water spray from their large tires reduces your visibility. Also, be careful when passing them; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can impair visibility. If rain is severely affecting your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or sheltered areas.

If the side of the road is your only option, pull over as far away as possible, preferably beyond the end of a guardrail, and wait out the storm. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your location.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your well-being in the event of heavy rain. Stay informed about weather conditions and heed the advice of local authorities to ensure your safety during your trip.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.