A warm southerly flow allowed for temperatures to reach well into the 80s to near 90 on Wednesday, July 2nd.  In addition, it was rather humid with dewpoints nearing 70 degrees.  With the warm and humid conditions in place, the atmosphere became quite unstable during the afternoon and evening hours.
Well ahead of a cold front, a surface trough was in place across upstate New York.  This caused thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon hours.  Many of these storms became severe, producing wind damage to trees and power lines.  A few storms also contained large hail.  In addition, the very humid air mass in place gave the storms the capability of producing very heavy rainfall in a short period of time.  This allowed for a few of the storms to produce flash flooding in urban areas, such as around the Capital Region.
In addition, these storms produced a significant amount of cloud to ground lightning.  Several highway employees were struck by lightning in Rotterdam during a thunderstorm, but luckily escaped serious injury.
Although most of the storm ended by the late afternoon hours, a few additional severe storms during during the evening across the western Adirondacks and western Mohawk Valley.  These storms ended by the late evening hours, as nocturnal influences helped wane the development of additional thunderstorms.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:38:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAVENA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Post Office

Numerous tree limbs were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in Ravena.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:15:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ATHOL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and wires were reported down in the town of Thurman due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:07:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: OHIOVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Wires were reported down in New Paltz due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:07:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUMMIT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was reported down in Summit due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:30:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRARYVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was reported down in Craryville due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:33:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCHOHARIE
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter recorded a wind gust of 74 MPH during a thunderstorm in the village of Schoharie.  The wind downed one tree at this spotter's location as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:12:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMONDVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Numerous trees and wires were reported down in Richmondville due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:34:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCHOHARIE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree and wires were reported down in Schoharie due to thunderstorm winds.

Flash Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:40:00 to 02-JUL-14 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARKERS CORNERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy rain from thunderstorms caused flash flooding in the town of Guilderland.  A portion of U.S. Route 20 was closed between Fuller Station Road and Route 158 due to high water.  Media reported that water remained on the roadway even into the next day.

Flash Flood in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:35:00 to 02-JUL-14 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCHENECTADY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Thunderstorm heavy rainfall led to flash flooding in Schenectady.  The two right hand eastbound lanes of Interstate 890 between Exits 5 and 6 had to be closed due to high water.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:37:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: ANCRAM
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were reported down in Ancram due to thunderstorm winds.

Flash Flood in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:40:00 to 02-JUL-14 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms led to flash flooding Schenectady. Amateur radio reported high water on Curry Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:50:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: AUSTERLITZ
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and wires were reported down in Austerlitz due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 21:17:00 to 02-JUL-14 21:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLUMBIA CENTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and wires were reported down in Columbia Center due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 21:35:00 to 02-JUL-14 21:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: ST JOHNSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Wires were reported down in Midenville due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:10:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: NISKAYUNA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Small trees were reportedly downed by thunderstorm winds two miles west-southwest of Niskayuna.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:25:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: LACKAWACK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and wires were reported down due to thunderstorm winds near Napanoch.

Flash Flood in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:55:00 to 02-JUL-14 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: NISKAYUNA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm heavy rainfall led to flash flooding in Niskayuna.  Fire department crews rescued two people trapped in a vehicle surrounded by high water on Merlin Drive in Niskayuna.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:45:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: ATWOOD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and wires were downed and lying across a road due to thunderstorm winds in Atwood.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:05:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALPS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds 1 mile north-northwest of Denault Corners.

Flash Flood in DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:58:00 to 02-JUL-14 14:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCHULTZVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms led to flash flooding in the town of Clinton.  A portion of Nine Partners Road was briefly closed due to high water.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:30:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLOVERDALE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple trees and power poles were reported down in Cleverdale due to thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 13:10:00 to 02-JUL-14 13:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARMAN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Three Rotterdam Highway Department employees were struck by lightning on Curry Road in Rotterdam.  The employees were outdoors loading empty boxes onto a truck during the thunderstorm when they were struck and knocked over.  All three only received minor injuries and escape serious injury.  The employees were sent to a local hospital, but were shortly released.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:15:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: HANNACROIX
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trees were reported to be downed due to thunderstorm winds in Hannacroix.

Hail in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:38:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCHODACK LNDG
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Public

Ping pong ball size hail was reported during a thunderstorm in Schodack Landing.

Thunderstorm Wind in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:45:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: KRUMVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Wires were reported down in Krumville due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 19:55:00 to 02-JUL-14 19:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEWPORT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were reported down in Newport due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 19:50:00 to 02-JUL-14 19:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: POLAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees were reported down in Poland due to thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 14:57:00 to 02-JUL-14 14:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPACKENKILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

Trees were reported down due to thunderstorm winds in Poughkeepsie.

Flash Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 14:30:00 to 02-JUL-14 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: STANFORD HGTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A pond near British-American Boulevard in Colonie overflowed its banks due to heavy rainfall from thunderstorms. The water flowed into the roadway.

Flash Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 14:20:00 to 02-JUL-14 15:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: MAYWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Thunderstorm heavy rainfall led to flash flooding in Colonie.  The Lisha Kill Creek overflowed its banks and flooded Consaul Road.

Flash Flood in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 15:23:00 to 02-JUL-14 17:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARLBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm heavy rainfall led to flash flooding in Marlboro.  A vehicle became stuck at the intersection of Route 9W and Old Post Road due to high water.

Flash Flood in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 16:35:00 to 02-JUL-14 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARTMANS CORNERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flash flooding was reported in Guilderland.  A portion of Route 20 between Route 146 (Carmen Road) and Willow Street was closed due to high water from thunderstorm heavy rainfall.

Flash Flood in ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 14:35:00 to 02-JUL-14 17:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: COTTEKILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms led to flash flooding in Rosendale.  A portion of State Route 32 was closed between Kallop Road and Washington Avenue in Rosendale due to high water.

Thunderstorm Wind in RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:55:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST GREENBUSH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trees and wires were reported down along Columbia Turnpike (U.S. Routes 9 & 20) at the intersection with Spring Hurst Drive due to thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 02-JUL-14 12:35:00 to 02-JUL-14 12:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALCOVE
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

An unoccupied barn at 251 Alcove Road in Coeymans Hollow was struck by lightning.  The barn burned down as a result of the lightning strike.