Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power is gearing up to safely respond to any outages, after forecasters predict possible powerful thunderstorms and potentially damaging wind gusts which could take down trees and power lines Thursday and Friday. GMP has lined up external crews to add to GMP’s own field force. Forecasters say possible strong thunderstorms will hit mainly Windham and Bennington Counties late today, and there is a potential for damaging wind gusts if any of these thunderstorms become severe. Forecasters say another round of thunderstorms Friday afternoon could have more widespread impacts across Vermont.
Adding to the potential for outages is a high wind event that is predicted to hit Vermont Friday night after thunderstorms move out of the area. Forecasters say wind gusts could be 40 to 50 MPH along the slopes of the Green Mountains with some above 60 MPH over the summits Green Mountains.
“The wind gusts predicted have us preparing for possible outages. We are following the forecast closely and preparing to respond as quickly and safely as possible,” said Mike Burke, Chief of GMP Field Operations. The storms are also predicted to affect most of the Northeast, not just Vermont.
GMP is reminding customers to be prepared for outages and to stay safe by staying away from downed trees and any downed lines. For storm safety tips go to:http://www.greenmountainpower.com/community/safety/be-safe-in-a-storm/
To get the latest information on outages and restoration times, customers can sign up for text service alerts, by texting REG to 46788 or GMPVT, or signing up online atgreenmountainpower.com/textalerts. Customers can also sign up for GMP’s app to report outages with a touch of a finger at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search for GMP.Customers may also report outages by calling1-888-835-4672, or visiting GMP’s Outage Center page atwww.greenmountainpower.com
Severe storms to blast central US for 3rd consecutive day, slice into northeastern US warmths
AccuWeather GlobalWeather Center --May 3, 2018--AccuWeather reportsfor the third consecutive day, severe weather will take aim at the central United States intoThursdaynight as violent storms also slice into the warmth in the Northeast. Residents across the Plains will not have much time to clean up from the severe weather that spawned tornadoes and produced dozens of reports of wind and hail damageTuesdayintoWednesday.
A complex weather situation is expected across the central U.S. with two separate areas of concern.
Thursdaystarted with a line of violent thunderstorms crossing central Texas and Oklahoma. Strong thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines, including around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This line of severe thunderstorms will continue to march eastward into Arkansas to close outThursday. Downpours and locally damaging winds can lead to delays for the evening commute in Little Rock. While clouds and lingering rain are expected to spare St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri, from severe weather, there may be enough breaks in the sun to fuel violent thunderstorms between the I-70 and I-80 corridors.
"Areas from around northern Missouri, including Kansas City, and southern Iowa have seen strong to severe storms move through each day since Tuesday and will face another threat intoThursdayevening," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda said.
Residents of Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa; and Chicago should closely monitor weather alerts and be ready to seek shelter.
All modes of severe weather are expected intoThursdayevening with damaging winds, large hail, flooding downpours and tornadoes.
The violent thunderstorms will also endanger motorists planning to travel on stretches ofinterstates 29, 35, 39, 70, 74 and 80. Ground stops may affect airline travelers.
North of the severe weather, heavy rain is anticipated to unfold and slow travelers from northern Iowa to northern Michigan intoThursdaynight.
Another round of severe thunderstorms and flooding may target central Texas laterThursdaynight intoFridayas the rest of the central U.S. finally quiets down.
Severe weather to slice into warmth in the Northeast
Unlike the past couple of days, severe weatheron Thursdaywill not be limited to the central U.S. Strong thunderstorms will also erupt from around Lake Erie to southern New England.
"As heat and humidity continue to build into the Northeast, a front will serve as the focus for thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail," Sojda said.
The winds can be strong enough to cause localized damage in and around Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany, New York; and eastward to Boston. The strongest thunderstorms may rattle the far northern and western suburbs of New York City.
Anyone enjoying the warmth outdoors ahead of the storms should seek shelter as soon as thunder is heard to avoid being struck by lightning.
"Even in these areas, a brief tornado or two cannot be ruled out," Sojda said.
Overnight, the danger for damaging winds and hail is expected to wane in the Northeast. However, Sojda is concerned for the flooding risk to increase.
"Thunderstorms may then 'train' (repeat) along the front overnight in the Northeast, elevating the threat for flash flooding," he said.
The risk for damaging winds will not end as the sun riseson Friday.
"The eastern Ohio Valley through the Northeast will have a repeat risk for thunderstorms with damaging wind gustson Fridayas a cold front pushes through," Sojda said.
Downpours will also be produced and can lead to flooding in areas that receive heavy rain intoThursdaynight.
The areas at greatest risk will lie across the eastern Great Lakes and the northern Appalachians. This includes Cleveland, Ohio, as well as Erie, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany, New York.
Wind damage may not be confined to thunderstorms. Especially downwind of the eastern Great Lakes, non-thunderstorm winds can reach 50 mphon Friday. Residents in Buffalo and Watertown, New York, will face an increased threat for power outages and tree damage.
The severity of the thunderstorms is expected to lessen prior to reaching the I-95 corridor. However, outdoor plans can still be impacted due to lightning concerns and downpours from Boston to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
The front will work to trim the warmth out of all of the Northeast by the start of the weekend, but there will still be opportunities for rain and thunderstorms to spoil outside plans across parts of the regionSaturdayintoSunday.
Green Mountain Power
GMPserves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with customers to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at:www.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP onFacebookand follow us onTwitter @GreenMtnPower.
Source: COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power. AccuWeather 5.3.2018