Recap of April 26 severe storms

These pictures were taken shortly after a severe thunderstorm passed through eastern Monroe county on the afternoon of Saturday, April 26. Hail reports ranged from 3/4 - 1" in diameter, quite impressive for our area!

All the right factors were in place for strong storms that day. We saw temperatures really climb early, with a high of 85 by the early afternoon hours. Dewpoints, which are a good measure of the moisture content of the air, were also very reasonable for storm development. A powerful cold front pushed through, initiating the development of the storms and plenty of cold air above the surface let things really get going. During this time of the year, basically late spring or so, we tend to have the highest probability of hail. This is true because we are still relatively "cool" so to speak in the upper levels of the atmosphere. By the time summer arrives, it is very hard to get the freezing levels low enough to allow hail to form.

Either way, the storms were impressive. Fortunately for us, it doesn't look like any truly severe weather threatens for the next several days as we stay locked in a very "average" pattern this week, with temperatures holding within a few degrees of the low 60 normals.