Event Summary

A weak tornado developed along the leading edge of a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms. A storm damage assessment team observed rotational tree damage on Morani and Leona Streets, bound by Richmond Avenue to the West, and Victory Boulevard to the East. At least 8 trees were uprooted and 2 others were damaged. Some aluminum siding was ripped off the sides of 2 houses. A non-NWS Meteorologist observed that the rear end of two cars moved from their parked position toward the middle of the street. Based on the damage, wind speeds were estimated at around 70 mph. As a cold front approached the East coast, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms developed just out ahead of the frontal boundary. Aided by a 50 to 60 knot jet located just above the boundary layer, a few thunderstorms became severe by mixing down these winds to the surface. The strong vertical wind profile also created enough shear to produce a weak tornado, as well as a gustnado in Staten Island during the late afternoon.