A compact closed low passed just to the northwest of the area. Accompanying this system, a strong and well-mixed low-level jet advanced just to the east of Lake Erie. This was an unusual system since it originated in the southern branch of the jet stream and was already a closed mid-level low. This did not fit the pattern of what typically causes strong winds in our area, but it certainly did cause very strong winds with lots of damage and numerous measured gusts over 60 mph. There seemed to be a favorable environment for funneling along the Chautauqua Ridge and across the Niagara Frontier, as those were the locations with the strongest large scale wind gusts. Large scale wind gusts behind the front also caused a seiche on Lake Erie. The water level at Buffalo peaked at 11.4 feet above low water datum. Selected non-thunderstorm measured wind gusts included 69 mph in Fredonia, 60 mph at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, 62 mph in Batavia, 59 mph at the Rochester Airport, and 58 mph in Warsaw. In addition, ahead of the cold front, early morning convection affect the Lake Erie shoreline as well as the Buffalo area, convection redeveloped in the afternoon over the North Country with discrete cells resulting in concentrated damage in Lewis County.

High Wind in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:57:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in NIAGARA, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:57:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

High Wind in ORLEANS, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 11:10:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

High Wind in GENESEE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 11:10:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in WYOMING, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 11:30:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in CATTARAUGUS, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 11:30:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

High Wind in MONROE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 11:10:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Lakeshore Flood in CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:36:00 to 26-MAR-21 11:36:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

The Lake Erie level peaked at 11.4 feet at 12:06 PM EDT (11:06 AM EST).

Lakeshore Flood in SOUTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:36:00 to 26-MAR-21 11:36:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

The Lake Erie level peaked at 11.4 feet at 12:06 PM EDT (11:06 AM EST).

Lakeshore Flood in NORTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:36:00 to 26-MAR-21 11:36:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

The Lake Erie level peaked at 11.4 feet at 12:06 PM EDT (11:06 AM EST).

Thunderstorm Wind in LEWIS, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:08:00 to 26-MAR-21 10:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARRISBURG
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Damage was reported to a home on Route 26.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEWIS, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:10:00 to 26-MAR-21 10:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: NAUMBURG
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous trees were blown down with accompanying damage to a shed and barn on County Road 33 and Naumburg Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEWIS, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:17:00 to 26-MAR-21 10:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: CROGHAN
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down in Croghan.

Thunderstorm Wind in ERIE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 06:36:00 to 26-MAR-21 06:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLIAMSVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The observation was from the RSOIS tower at the upper air station at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport.

High Wind in CHAUTAUQUA, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:36:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in SOUTHERN ERIE, NEW YORK
From 26-MAR-21 10:57:00 to 26-MAR-21 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter