weather

From the National Weather Service in Buffalo:

A heat advisory will be in effect from 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, until 8 p.m. Friday, July 10. 

The temperature will be in the mid-90s tomorrow and Friday, then near 100 Thursday and Friday afternoon. The highest heat is expected inland from the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario shores, including Genesee County.

The hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses to occur. And warm overnight low termperatures will make it difficult to cool buildings that are not air-conditioned.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9-1-1.

From the Genesee County Office of the Aging:

With high temperatures, be sure you understand the possible dangers. To protect oneself from heat-related stress and prevent heat-related problems, the Centers for Disease Control recommends the following tips:

• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him/her how much you should drink when the weather is hot.)
• Rest.
• Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.
• If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
• Do not engage in strenuous activities.

Danger signs for Heat Exhaustion -- call the doctor if any of these symptoms arise:

• Heavy sweating                           
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting
• Skin – cool & moist
• Pulse rate – fast & weak
• Breathing – fast & shallow

Danger signs for Heat Stroke – needing immediate medical attention:

• Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F)
• Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and nausea

The National Weather Service reports a strong thunderstorm is moving through Genesee County at 35 mph.

Winds from the storm could exceed 40 mph.

Torrential rainfall is possible and may cause localized flooding.

After a heavy downpour this afternoon, the area under the train bridge on Cedar Street flooded for a short time.

The railroad underpasses on Ellicott Street and on Cedar Street in the City of Batavia is impassable due to flooding from heavy rain. The county is under a Flood Warning until 5:45 p.m. the National Weather Service has Buffalo announced.

City police are on scene at both places.

From the National Weather Service:

At 1:49 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to one inch of rain has already fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flooding include -- Batavia, Stafford and East Bethany. 

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area as additional thunderstorms move across the area. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. 

Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you can do so safely.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: "Ellicott Street has already started to drain so I don't think (the road closure) it will be too long," says an officer on scene.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo late this afternoon reported that: "a very hot and steamy airmass will allow for thunderstorms to develop through the early evening hours. Any storms that form will be very slow moving and will feature torrential downpours."

The National Weather Service is warning residents to expect a hot and humid day today with high temperatures reaching the upper 80s to low 90s.

The heat index could top out at 95 degrees.

"Take precautions if you need to be out in the heat today by taking frequent breaks inside and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated," the weather service advises.
 

Photo submitted by Dan Street from East Bethany.

Photo submitted by Lisa Ace from Batavia. Taken in Le Roy.

Photo by Josh Wallace, Le Roy.

It snowed in Genesee County today, so of course, Santa paid us a visit.

Photo submitted by Jean Grinnell.

Jason Smith shared this photo from his backyard in Batavia, where a cardinal yesterday munched on a suet cake despite the snowy and frigid conditions.

A high wind warning is in effect starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until 2 a.m., Tuesday.

The National Weather Service predicts southwest winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

"This will be a dangerous situation," the NWS states. "Very strong winds will result in numerous downed trees and power lines. Extensive power outages and property damage are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

"People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive."

Sarah Wessel, in Alexander, submitted this photo with a note that said, "Jasmine and Anabelle’s house. Spring is here."

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 6 p.m.

A wind advisory is in effect from 2 until 11 p.m.

Winds of 20 to 30 mph expected with gusts of 50 mph.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: Tristine Vanice submitted the photo above taken from her backyard off Lewiston Road, Oakfield, of the storm rolling in. Thunder and rain started in Batavia few minutes ago.

In case you didn't have enough to deal with right now, winter isn't done with you yet.

Accuweather is predicting a winter snowstorm, with up to eight inches of snow, hitting our region sometime Monday morning.

Weather.gov reports:

Sunday evening: Snow showers likely before 2 a.m., then rain and snow showers. Low around 30. East wind 8 to 13 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday: Rain and snow showers before 9 a.m., then rain. High near 41. South wind 10 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Press release:

National Grid is increasing staffing and closely monitoring Friday’s weather forecast (March 20), which calls for high winds, with gusts of up to 60 mph, across portions of Upstate New York. The company’s field force is at normal staffing levels and remains at the ready if the storm impacts service. Customers are encouraged to keep safety a priority with the following reminders:

           Electricity & Generator Safety

• If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.

• Never touch downed power lines; always assume they are carrying live electricity. Downed power lines should immediately be reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 9-1-1.

• Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure todisconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in theelectric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.

• Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642-4272. In a medical emergency, always dial 9-1-1.

• Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices before the storm.

• Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.

• Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.

  Stay informed and connected

  Information on National Grid’s pandemic preparedness and a customer Q&A can be found here.

• Customers with active electricity accounts who text "REG" to 64743 can have personalized alerts sent to them via text, email or phone call when we detect an outage on their properties.

• Customers also can text "OUT" to 64743 to report an outage.

• For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm safety information, visit National Grid’s Outage Central website. Customers who create an online profile also can sign up for email alerts.

• Visit our website.

From Accuweather:

Breezy, mild and very dry conditions, especially in areas that have lost the snowpack, will result in an elevated wildfire potential across portions of Western New York toward the Finger Lakes region.

The risk will be greatest in open and sufficiently dried out locations such as fields and less wooded areas. Any outside burning is strongly discouraged.

According to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the statewide open burn ban is in effect March 16 through May 14.

It's currently 60, sunny and breezy.

Press release:

The Buffalo office of the National Weather Service will be conducting a SKYWARN spotter training seminar in Batavia, at the Genesee County Fire Training Center, 7690 State Street Road, at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 30.

The training session will last about two hours and there is no cost for the training.

SKYWARN is a national effort to save lives during severe weather emergencies with an expanding network of trained volunteer weather spotters.

SKYWARN spotters support their local community and government by providing reports of severe weather directly to the National Weather Service in Buffalo by phone using the NWS spotter hotline, by email, or social media. The services performed by SKYWARN spotters have saved many lives.

The National Weather Service has an array of modern technology for detecting severe thunderstorms. Included in these are Doppler radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks. However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter.

By providing observations, SKYWARN spotters assist National Weather Service staff in their warning decisions and enable the National Weather Service to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property. Storm spotters are, and always will be, an indispensable part of the severe local storm warning program.

The basic training session provides a brief overview of the National Weather Service organization and our responsibilities, severe weather safety, and basic severe weather meteorology including how thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes develop.

Anyone can become a severe weather spotter for the National Weather Service. SKYWARN training is free and open to the public. The training is being sponsored by the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.

For further information, you can call the National Weather Service at (716) 565-0204, ext. 223.

More information about SKYWARN is available on the NWS Buffalo website at http://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

Register online, call or email the Genesee County Fire Training Center:

• Jeanette.diehl@co.genesee.ny.us
• 585-344-0078

National Weather Service on the Web:

• NOAA:   http://www.noaa.gov
• NOAA’s National Weather Service:   http://www.weather.gov
• NOAA’s National Weather Service in Buffalo:   http://www.weather.gov/buf

Closures and cancellations for today:

• Pavilion Central School
• Classic Optical

Schools that have canceled classes:

• Batavia City Schools
• Byron-Bergen Central School
• Elba Central School 
• LeRoy Central School 
• Notre Dame High School
• Oakfield-Alabama Central School
• Pavilion Central School
• GCC Batavia campus

Closures and cancellations:

• Richmond Memorial Library
• Office for the Aging has cancelled Meals On Wheels deliveries today and congregate meal sites are closed. Cients should use their emergency meals.
• Liberty Center for Youth is closed.
• GAPA's "Employee Engagement" event at the Dibble Center tonight is canceled.
• Classic Optical

Email closures and cancellations to howard@thebatavian.com

Heavy snow is expected tonight through tomorrow afternoon throughout Western New York.

A winter storm warning has been issued from 10 p.m. through 1 p.m. Thursday.

Snow accumulations of five to nine inches are expected with winds from 45 to 50 mph, which is likely to result in blowing and drifting snow.

The National Weather Service warns that travel will become difficult with very poor visibility and snow-covered roadways. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Graphic: Accuweather.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook was issued this afternoon by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo for portions of Western New York, including Genesee County. This afternoon and tonight south winds may gust in the 35 to 45 mph range, especially along the Lake Erie shore and across higher terrain.