A very strong area of low pressure passed to the north of Lake Erie during the afternoon hours of January 17th.  Strong and damaging winds occurred along and behind a cold front trailing the low.  Peak wind gusts at many locations were over 60 mph.  A few severe thunderstorms were also reported ahead of the cold front.

High Wind in OTTAWA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 15:46:00 to 17-JAN-12 15:46:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A 59 mph wind gust was measured by an automated sensor on the Sandusky Bay Bridge.

Thunderstorm Wind in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:37:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARDON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:45:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASHTABULA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:30:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAINBRIDGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds blew down a traffic light at the Intersection of U.S. Route 422 and State Route 306.

High Wind in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:32:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:32:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 61 mph wind gust was measured by an automated sensor at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:53:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: CONNEAUT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a 65 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in SUMMIT, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:35:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: AKRON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in MAHONING, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 17:33:00 to 17-JAN-12 17:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: YOUNGSTOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds downed a couple of trees on the east side of Youngstown.

High Wind in HANCOCK, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 14:23:00 to 17-JAN-12 14:23:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 59 mph wind gust was measured by an automated sensor at the Findlay Airport.

High Wind in RICHLAND, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 15:31:00 to 17-JAN-12 15:31:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 62 mph wind gust was measured by an automated sensor at the Mansfield Lahm Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:20:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH EUCLID
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 17:10:00 to 17-JAN-12 17:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRISTOLVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 17:20:00 to 17-JAN-12 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

High Wind in LORAIN, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:05:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:05:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds knocked a large tree down into a house on the southeast side of Elyria.  Several trees were reported down in Columbia and Eaton Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:35:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH RUSSELL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm winds knocked a large tree on to a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in GEAUGA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 16:45:00 to 17-JAN-12 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARKMAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 17:28:00 to 17-JAN-12 17:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: YOUNGSTOWN MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An automated sensor measured a 58 mph wind gust at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHTABULA, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 17:06:00 to 17-JAN-12 17:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASHTABULA CO ARPT
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

An automated sensor measured a 59 mph wind gust at the Ashtabula County Airport.

High Wind in LORAIN, OHIO
From 17-JAN-12 15:46:00 to 17-JAN-12 15:46:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A 60 mph wind gust was measured by an automated sensor at the Lorain County Airport.