As Alumni Weekend BBQ festivities were wrapping up, we got a bit of a surprise (to some, but not Leon of course). On a day where the CAPE was supposedly only around 500J/kg, clear skies allowed for much stronger than anticipated surface heating, and with the help of an advancing cold front to the west, a line of thunderstorms developed. The line, which was NNE-SSW oriented, stretched from east of Lake Ontario through central NY and down through PA, where some of the storms were almost severe. The portion of the line that came through Ithaca was interesting to watch--a gust front running parallel and out ahead of the line by 5-10 miles created an ominous low shelf-ish cloud deck. We got out to Libe Slope just as the heaviest stuff came through, but unfortunately it was weakening and there wasn't too much in the way of downpours or even lightning to check out. But, a hit is a hit, and this one's number one.
-Dean
Tally update:
Total count: 2
Direct hits: 1
