weather

Dana Bowen and his dog Jake were out for exercise on Bank Street this morning on another beautiful day in Batavia. The seven-day forecast indicates we should expect more of the same, though slightly warmer.

Thea and Bella found a puddle to play in on Morton Avenue after the big straight-down rainstorm we had this evening.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Western Genesee County -- including Elba and Darien -- until 4:45 p.m.

The thunderstorm is capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. At 4:07 p.m., the storm was located near Hamburg and it's moving northeast at 35 mph.

Deadly cloud-to-ground lightning is possible. Go inside.

It was a beautiful day. I didn't have much time to just drive around and take pictures, but as long as I was out and about, I did grab a few.

Above, a barn at Gillette and Ivison roads, Byron.

Below, three sunflower pictures from the Oderkirk Farm on Route 33, Stafford.

A strong thunderstorm that has moved into the area has brought a halt to Bon Jovi's show at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Heavy rain, lightening and thunder hit the Darien area in the middle of Bon Jovi's performance, according to Tweets from fans at the show.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement warning that the storm has the potential to become severe.

Localized flooding is possible.

UPDATE 9:41 p.m.: The concert is restarting in five minutes.

The heat index is expected to reach 100 degrees again this afternoon, but there's also wind coming, and a possible thunderstorm, though the chance of severe whether is considered slight.

Heat and wind advisories are in effect from noon to 8 p.m.

Wind speeds are expected of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

After the wind, expect cooler temperatures.

This morning, a deputy talking with dispatch said, "It's as hot as Texas." The dispatcher agreed, and now so does the National Weather Service.

A heat advisory is effect from now until 8 p.m.

The heat index values are expected to climb to 100 to 104.

Exposure to high temperatures can be a health risk, especially for young children and the elderly.

From the advisory:

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK...THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY - CALL 9 1 1.

Remember, don't leave your dogs in parked cars. Somebody will call it in and The Batavian will report it.

Even leaving a dog outside in this heat is extremely dangerous. Yesterday in Erie County, a dog died some time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., even though the owner had left it with water.

Press release:

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory which will be in effect until 6 p.m.

The heat index will be as high as 100 degrees.

If proper precautions are not taken, heat exhaustion and other heat-related symptoms could develop in those exposed to hot and humid conditions, with the young and the elderly most at risk.

A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot termperatures and high humidity create a situation in which heat-related illnesses are possible.

Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun. Checks on neighbors and relatives.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, OSHA recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency -- call 9-1-1.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for all of Western New York now through 10 p.m.

Rain is moving in, according to the National Weather Service, and there may be pockets of thunderstorms that develop bringing possible strong winds and hail.

A strong storm with the potential to grow stronger is moving into the area and the National Weather Service is advising people to move inside immediately because of potential cloud-to-ground lightning.

The storm is moving northeast at 10 mph and is capable of producing small hail, but could turn to large hail.

Very heavy rain is anticipated.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a flood watch for Thursday through Friday afternoon.

Areas of heavy rain will spread across Western and North Central New York during that time, bringing total rainfall amounts between one and two inches. There is a potential for higher amounts locally, which could result in flooding, according to the weather service.

Rivers and creeks may continue to rise several hours after the heaviest rain has ended. There will be some ponding of water on roadways, especially in typically vulnerable low-lying areas. Locally, heavier amounts are possible in some locations, which could result in stream and small creek flooding as well as more widespread urban flooding issues.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warning. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Tim Yaeger, coordinator of Genesee County Emergency Services, reminded us that this is Lightning Safety Awareness Week and notes that the National Weather Service has updated its Lightning Safety page <http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/>

The page contains not only information about lightning safety, but the science of lightning, the health effect on victims, download-able posters and brochures, and much more.

There have already been seven lightning fatalities this year.

<http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm>

In Western New York, there have been 32 documented injuries by lightning since 1996. Monroe, Niagara and Erie counties have each seen seven injuries; three injuries each in Ontario and Cayuga counties; two injuries in Cattaraugus County; and one injury in Wyoming, Livingston and Chautauqua counties.

Doppler radar has picked up a strong thunderstorm in the Akron area that is moving east at 35 mph.

The National Weather Service says the storm is capable of producing small hail.

The storm has the capability to become stronger, generating damaging winds and large hail.

Organizers of the Stafford Carnival have canceled festivities for tonight. Just about everything -- including the beer tent -- is flooded.

Jamie Call said everything will be ready to go by tomorrow, however.

A flood watch is in effect for much of WNY through today and tonight.

From one to two inches of rain could fall by this evening, with as much as three inches in localized areas.

Creeks will rise and roadway ponding in low-lying areas is possible. Motorists are advised to drive with caution.

A tree limb down on North Lyon has knocked out power for a section of the city and town, including three traffic lights and police have asked that drivers be reminded to treat the intersections as four-way stops.

The limb down was reported at 12:30 p.m.

According to Sgt. Jason Davis, Batavia PD, National Grid has asked that rather than using city workers to cut up the tree that a National Grid crew do it. The company's tree-cutting crew is not on yet on scene and there's no ETA for its arrival.

Once the tree is out of the way, work crews will need to replace up to three utility polls.

According to National Grid, power should be restored by 6 p.m.

Nearly 440 customers in Batavia are without power.

The vehicle and traffic code requires drivers to treat an intersection with its traffic lights out as a four-way stop.

Davis wants to remind drivers to use caution at and approaching the affected intersections, which are on West Main Street and West Main Street Road (Town of Batavia) at River Street, Tops Plaza and Lewiston Road.

Time-Warner customers in the area are also without phone and Internet service.

UPDATE 7:03 p.m.: New ETA for power restoration is 10:30 p.m.

UPDATE: Power restored about 10 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm is moving into the area and the National Weather Service has issued a special weather alert until 6:45 p.m. The storm is capable of producing quarter-size hail, strong, gusty winds and very heavy rain. The storm was located near Oakfield and is heading in a northeasterly direction.

There's a frost advisory in effect from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. with temperatures expected to fall to the mid to upper 30s.

The National Weather Service advises covering sensitive vegetation or bringing it inside, if possible.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all counties in WNY through 9 p.m.

Thunderstorms are expected to pound the region through Thursday morning.

More than 600 National Grid customers in Genesee County are with out power this afternoon, including 590 in Batavia, as high winds play havoc with trees and power lines.

A tree came down on Clinton Street, which is what knocked out power around East Main and Clinton, including the intersection lights.

About 90 customers in Pembroke are also without power and there are a couple of small outages elsewhere in the county.

Power should be restored in Batavia by 4:45 p.m. and in Pembroke by 3:45 p.m.

There is a hazardous weather outlook in place because of strong winds into tonight. Winds are hitting 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.