A massive and powerful storm system (990mb) moved from the northern Great Lakes on November 30th across Ontario into James Bay Canada on December 1st. An associated cold front slowly moved east across the Great Lakes toward New York and New England with development of several waves of low pressure. Meanwhile, a very strong area of high pressure (1032mb) was located across New Brunswick. The large pressure gradient (> 40mb) between both systems resulted in very strong south to southeast winds in a return flow. Very strong wind dynamics at all levels in the atmosphere resulted in fierce low-level winds in excess of 100 mph just 5000 feet above the surface.
Some of these winds eventually transitioned across the higher peaks of the Adirondacks and caused strong down slope winds on the northern slopes of the Adirondacks as well as some strong funneling winds in the Champlain Valley. South to southeast winds of 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts approaching 50 mph occurred for a prolonged duration from pre-dawn to the early afternoon hours. Some of the measured wind gusts included; 54 mph in Ellenburg (Clinton county), 52 mph in Malone (Franklin county), 51 mph in Saranac Lake (Franklin county) with 47 mph in Potsdam (St. Lawrence county) and 43 mph at Massena (St. Lawrence county).
The persistent strength and duration of this wind event accounted for numerous reports of limbs, branches and some trees downed by the wind that resulted in scattered to numerous power outages (more than 5000 utility customers) and some minor structural damage as a result of fallen debris.

Strong Wind in NORTHERN FRANKLIN, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Scattered to numerous power outages reported as well as some structural and vehicle damage due to fallen trees.

Strong Wind in EASTERN CLINTON, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 to 50 mph. Scattered power outages reported.

Strong Wind in EASTERN ESSEX, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 to 50 mph. Scattered power outages reported.

Strong Wind in WESTERN ESSEX, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Scattered to numerous power outages reported as well as some structural and vehicle damage due to fallen trees.

Strong Wind in SOUTHERN FRANKLIN, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Scattered to numerous power outages reported as well as some structural and vehicle damage due to fallen trees.

Strong Wind in NORTHERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 41.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Scattered to numerous power outages reported as well as some structural and vehicle damage due to fallen trees.

Strong Wind in WESTERN CLINTON, NEW YORK
From 01-DEC-10 08:00:00 to 01-DEC-10 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 47.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous tree branches and limbs downed by persistent and strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Scattered to numerous power outages reported as well as some structural and vehicle damage due to fallen trees.