Weather Service: No Tornado after Rare New York City Warning

Government meteorologists say there were plenty of damaging winds, but no twisters in a storm that spawned a rare tornado warning in New York City.

The National Weather Service says crews assessed damage Saturday around the metropolitan area, including a pocket of downed trees north of the city in Mount Vernon. The agency says it found evidence that Friday evening’s thunderstorm packed the strong downdrafts known as microbursts, but not tornados’ spinning winds.

Weather Service meteorologist Brian Ciemnecki (SIMM’-neck-ee) says winds reached 65 to 75 mph in Mount Vernon.

The storm’s heavy rains, hail and lightning brought a tornado warning, stalled commuter trains and flooded parkways during the evening rush hour.

Latest Comments

• August 20, 2008 at 12:51 pm

  Christ Follower says:

  You do have an alternative so that if this happens...and it will...call it alittle "fire" insurance policy...His name is Jesus. There really is no need to be upset about thos... read more
• August 18, 2008 at 1:39 am

  Reality Bites says:

  Lastie - I was on a northbound train during the storm and we were forced to wait an hour while the storm literally blew through. The winds had knocked tress and wires down in ... read more
• August 18, 2008 at 10:20 am

  lastbat says:

  I figure the end of the world must be near because the same day that New York had tornado warnings there were: 800+ wildfires in California, 100+ degree temperatures in Oregon... read more