A strong cold front swept across the region during Wednesday afternoon and evening, June 1st. Atmospheric conditions were favorable for severe thunderstorms including supercells with an explosive environment in place across the region. The thunderstorms had strong and persistent (sometimes rotating) updrafts.
Severe thunderstorms affected portions of east central New York particularly from the Mohawk Valley and eastward across Saratoga, Washington and Rensselaer counties. Large and historic hail occurred with only a few strong wind reports. Hail sizes of greater than one inch in diameter were common, with reports of baseball size hail, 2 3/4 inches, being reported in both Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, and Eagle Bridge, Rensselaer County.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 12:00:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: SARATOGA SPGS
Magnitude: 2.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Baseball size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Saratoga Springs on Gick Road. The hail dented the roofs of school buses.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 12:00:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAKERSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Barkersville.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 12:10:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: QUAKER SPGS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball size hail was reported during a thunderstorm approximately 4 miles southwest of Schuylerville.

Hail in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 12:40:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOOSICK FALLS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter size hail (measured) was reported during a thunderstorm in Hoosick Falls.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:03:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: MAPLE SHADE FARM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm approximately 5 miles south-southeast of Saratoga Springs.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:16:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: BEMIS HGTS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Stillwater.

Hail in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:20:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: BARKERS GROVE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Penny size size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Easton.

Hail in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:35:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAGLE BRIDGE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Baseball size hail (measured) was reported during a thunderstorm in Eagle Bridge.

Hail in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:35:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMBRIDGE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Ping-pong ball size hail was reported during a thunderstorm approximately 1 mile south of Cambridge.

Hail in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 17:45:00 to 01-JUN-11 17:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAUGERTIES SOUTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel to quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Saugerties.

Funnel Cloud in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:47:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAGLE BRIDGE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A funnel cloud was spotted near Buskirk during a thunderstorm at 1347 LST.

Hail in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 11:10:00 to 01-JUN-11 11:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: DENNIES HOLLOW
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm approximately 1 mile north-northeast of Gloversville.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 11:55:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALLSTON SPA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Half dollar size hail was reported during a thunderstorm approximately 1 mile north of Ballston Spa with an estimated wind gust of 60 mph.

Hail in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 12:16:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTOWN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Johnstown.

Lightning in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 12:23:00 to 01-JUN-11 12:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: MECHANICVILLE
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wires were reportedly struck by lightning approximately 1 mile south of Mechanicville.

Hail in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:20:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: HILL CORNERS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Perth. Also, a nearby home was reportedly struck by lightning.

Hail in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 13:40:00 to 01-JUN-11 13:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAGLE BRIDGE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny to nickel size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Buskirk. At 1340 EST, a spotter reported possible rotation, with a funnel cloud being reported at 1347 EST.

Hail in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 05:00:00 to 01-JUN-11 05:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: LINDSLEY CORNERS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball size hail was reported during a thunderstorm approximately 2 miles northwest of Tomantown.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 06:00:00 to 01-JUN-11 06:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: FONDA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Fonda.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 01-JUN-11 06:05:00 to 01-JUN-11 06:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST MILTON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in West Milton.