A strong and intensifying area of low pressure moved just north of the St. Lawrence River across southeast Ontario and Quebec provinces in Canada during the night of January 17th and early morning hours of January 18th.
The strong pressure gradient and cold air advection accompanying low pressure and associated cold front accounted for strong to damaging west to southwest winds with gusts in excess of 60 mph in the St. Lawrence River Valley with gusts in excess of 50 mph across most of northern New York. In addition, an earlier ice event still allowed for ice accretion remaining on trees prior to this wind event. Some specific measured wind gusts included;66 mph in Potsdam, 65 mph in Hannawa Falls, 63 mph in Massena (St. Lawrence County), 55 mph in Lake Clear (Franklin county) and Ellenburg (Clinton county).
The end result was numerous tree limbs, trees and power lines down along with thousands without power in the St. Lawrence River Valley with scattered tree limbs, trees and power outages in the Adirondacks.

Strong Wind in WESTERN ESSEX, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 01:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Numerous spotters reported measured wind gusts in the upper 40s to near 50 mph with scattered downed limbs, isolated trees and power outages throughout the Adirondacks. A report of 55 mph was measured at Lake Clear (Saranac Lake ASOS).

High Wind in SOUTHWESTERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
From 17-JAN-12 23:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS recorded 66 mph at Potsdam, 65 mph along with damage to trees and houses in Hannawa Falls with multiple reports of trees and power lines. An estimated 5,000+ customers without power.

Strong Wind in SOUTHEASTERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
From 17-JAN-12 23:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Numerous spotters reported measured wind gusts in the upper 40s to near 50 mph with scattered downed limbs, isolated trees and power outages throughout the Adirondacks. A report of 55 mph was measured at Lake Clear (Saranac Lake ASOS).

High Wind in NORTHERN ST. LAWRENCE, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 00:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Massena Airport ASOS recorded 63 mph gust along with numerous power outages across northern St. Lawrence and northern Franklin counties.

High Wind in NORTHERN FRANKLIN, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 00:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Massena Airport ASOS recorded 63 mph gust along with numerous power outages across neighboring northern Franklin county.

Strong Wind in SOUTHERN FRANKLIN, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 00:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Numerous spotters reported measured wind gusts in the upper 40s to near 50 mph with scattered downed limbs, isolated trees and power outages throughout the Adirondacks.  A report of 55 mph was measured at Lake Clear (Saranac Lake ASOS).

Strong Wind in EASTERN ESSEX, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 01:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous spotters reported measured wind gusts in the upper 40s to near 50 mph with scattered downed limbs, isolated trees and power outages throughout the Adirondacks as well as eastern Essex county.

Strong Wind in WESTERN CLINTON, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 01:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous spotters reported measured wind gusts in the upper 40s to near 50 mph with scattered downed limbs, isolated trees and power outages throughout the Adirondacks. A report of 55 mph was measured in Ellenburg.

Strong Wind in EASTERN CLINTON, NEW YORK
From 18-JAN-12 01:00:00 to 18-JAN-12 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous spotters reported measured wind gusts in the upper 40s to near 50 mph with scattered downed limbs, isolated trees and power outages throughout the Adirondacks as well as eastern Essex county.