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New York, NY

September 16, 2010
New York City Tornadoes and Macroburst

Macroburst Tree Damage

Summary: On the late afternoon of Thursday, September 16, 2010 a Quasi-Linear Convective System (QLCS) developed over New Jersey and tracked east across New York City, Long Island and Connecticut. The QLCS spawned at least two (2) tornadoes, two of which occurred in highly populated boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. One fatality and several injuries occurred as well. In addition, the QLCS resulted in a known recorded wind speed in the tri-state region of 123 mph at Robbins Reef Lighthouse in New York Harbor.

 

Damage Swath


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car on tree 112th 67th rd damage pic damage pic damage pic damage pic damage pic damage pic damage pic
damage pic damage pic damage pic damage pic damage pic Port Richmond roof tree on car forest hills tree on car park slope

Synopsis
There were several synoptic players in the intense convective development. Aloft there was a strong upper level jet streak rounding the base of an approaching vigorous mid-level shortwave. Meanwhile at the surface...an unseasonably strong low pressure system was tracking just north of the region pushing its associated warm front towards the New York metropolitan area. This warm front...marking the leading edge of a very warm and humid airmass...was the focus for the development of the QLCS.

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300mb at 21z 500mb at 21z
850mb
Surface
850mb at 21z Surface at 21z

 

Soundings
The following ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) soundings depict the highly unstable and highly sheared environment preceeding the convective line. This was an environment primed for damaging winds and tornadic potential.

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EWR (Newark Airport) ACARS Sounding
LGA (LaGuardia Airport) ACARS Sounding
Newark Airport ACARS Sounding LaGuardia Airport ACARS Sounding

 

Satellite Imagery
The following are GOES satellite loops of the intensifying QLCS as it swept through the New York Metropolitan area. Note the clearing behind the intense convective line. This clearing is indicative of the strong descending motion on the rear flank of the convective line...resulting in widespread wind damage and a couple of tornadic spin ups along the leading edge.

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Visible Satellite Loop
IR Satellite Loop
Visible Satellite Animation Visible Satellite Animation

 

Radar Data:

OKX 0.5 Degree Reflectivity Data

The following is a base reflectivity RADAR loop from the KOKX WSR-88D with cloud to ground lightning overlaid. Note the two mesocyclones - one that moved across New York City into Connecticut and the other that moves from central New Jersey to just south of the RADAR site.

Radar Loop

Additional Radar Animations

Upton Doppler Radar (KOKX) 4-Panel Reflectivity Loop

Upton Doppler Radar (KOKX) 4-Panel Storm Relative Velocity Loop

Mount Holly Doppler Radar(KDIX) 4-panel Reflectivity Loop

Mount Holly Doppler Radar(KDIX) 4-Panel Storm Relative Velocity Loop

Newark Airport Terminal Doppler Radar (TEWR) 4-Panel Reflectivity Loop

Newark Airport Terminal Doppler Radar (TEWR) 4-Panel Storm Relative Velocity Loop

JFK Airport Terminal Doppler Radar (TJFK) 4-Panel Storm Relative Velocity Loop

 


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