Event Summary

A low pressure system rapidly intensified as it moved northeast across the Great Lakes as a strong high pressure system northeast of New England moved slowly northeast during Sunday, December 17th. The difference in pressure between these systems caused increasing south winds. Here are selected wind damage reports and measured peak wind gusts: In Queens County, high winds downed trees onto buildings and lifted sidewalks as they uprooted. The peak wind gust measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at John F. Kennedy Airport was 54 mph at 8:32 pm