A warm and humid air mass was in place over the region.  A potent storm system was moving across the Upper Great Lakes with a surface cold front across southern Canada.  A pre-frontal trough out ahead of this system moved across eastern New York during the afternoon and evening hours.  Despite weak wind shear aloft, large amounts of instability and steep lapse rates over the area allowed storms to grow rather tall.  Large hail, some as large as 2.50 in diameter, occurred with some storms across parts of eastern New York.  In addition, thunderstorm winds produced damage to trees as well.  These storms produced a large amount of lightning, which drew a lot of attention from area residents.  A lightning strike one mile from North Winfield caused a structure fire, but damages were unknown.  Thunderstorm activity waned by the late-night hours.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 13:09:00 to 23-JUL-12 13:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: FONDA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Nickel sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Fonda.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 13:13:00 to 23-JUL-12 13:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLEN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Reported by: Public

Tennis ball sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Glen.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 13:10:00 to 23-JUL-12 13:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: FULTONVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Nickel sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Fultonville.

Hail in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 13:32:00 to 23-JUL-12 13:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW SCOTLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Public

Quarter sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in the Town of New Scotland, just to south of the village of Voorheesville.

Hail in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 14:35:00 to 23-JUL-12 14:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMONDVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Richmondville.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 14:43:00 to 23-JUL-12 14:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW BALTIMORE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in New Baltimore.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 14:55:00 to 23-JUL-12 14:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE RNBOW ARP
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in Greenville.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 15:22:00 to 23-JUL-12 15:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: ATHENS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in Athens.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 22:12:00 to 23-JUL-12 22:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW SCOTLAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in New Scotland.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 22:15:00 to 23-JUL-12 22:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALBANY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds reportedly downed a tree, which blocked a road, in the city of Albany.

Thunderstorm Wind in HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 23:30:00 to 23-JUL-12 23:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ILION
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in Ilion.

Hail in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 15:43:00 to 23-JUL-12 15:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUMPHREYSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Nickel sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm 1 mile northwest of Linlithgo Mills.

Hail in WARREN, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 17:36:00 to 23-JUL-12 17:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: SILVER BAY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Penny sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Silver Bay.

Hail in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 22:58:00 to 23-JUL-12 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROADALBIN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Penny sized hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Broadalbin.

Hail in HAMILTON, NEW YORK
From 23-JUL-12 17:00:00 to 23-JUL-12 17:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: INLET
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Golf-ball sized (measured) hail was reported during a thunderstorm two miles east-southeast of Inlet.