This was the first severe weather event of 2012. The combination of an unstable airmass in place over the region, the approach of a strong mid/upper level trough, the presence of a pre-frontal trough, and the passage of cold front set the stage for the development of severe thunderstorms across east central New York.
The pre-frontal trough became diffuse during the afternoon and consolidated with the cold front as it moved through. The convection formed into a broken line from mainly the Capital District north and east. Most of the severe reports were hail. The convection tended to diminish in severity by around 7 pm EDT, as by the time the cold front approached the southeast portion of the local area and the instability decreased.  Some additional convection did flare up over southern Berkshires in Massachusetts, eastern Columbia County east central New York, and northern Litchfield County Connecticut as the cold front moved through around 9 to 10 pm EDT, although these storms were not severe.

Hail in HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 14:22:00 to 16-MAY-12 14:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST FRANKFORT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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

Hail in HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 14:30:00 to 16-MAY-12 14:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOHAWK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 15:18:00 to 16-MAY-12 15:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLENS FALLS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees and wires were reported down due to strong thunderstorm winds about 1 mile northeast of Glens Falls.

Hail in WARREN, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 14:30:00 to 16-MAY-12 14:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAKE VANARE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Ping-pong ball size (measured)  hail was reported during a thunderstorm about 4 miles north-northeast of Lake Luzerne.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 15:42:00 to 16-MAY-12 15:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: KINGS STATION
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm about 4 miles north Saratoga Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:25:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTH GREENWICH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees and wires were reported down to strong thunderstorm winds about 4 miles north of Greenwich.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:04:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: GANSEVOORT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Ganesvoort. The hail covered the ground.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:15:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORTHUMBERLAND
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm near Northcumberland. The hail covered the ground.

Hail in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:35:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENWICH JCT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Penny size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm just west of Salem.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:45:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAYS CORNERS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Quarter size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Clifton Park.

Hail in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:46:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: NISKAYUNA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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

Hail in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:46:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: NISKAYUNA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

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

Hail in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:50:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOGHT CORNERS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Quarter size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Boght Corners.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:55:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAYS CORNERS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Clifton Park.

Hail in SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:55:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLIFTON PARK
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ping-pong ball size (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Clifton Park. Hail covered the ground.

Hail in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 16-MAY-12 16:40:00 to 16-MAY-12 16:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALEM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SHAVE Project

Quarter size hail was reported during a thunderstorm just north of Salem.