UPDATE 4: Heavy Rain & Damaging Winds To Continue Today

Current Alert Details:
         The National Weather Service In Burlington, VT has issued a High Wind Warning for the Western Slopes of the Northern Green Mountains for Wind gusts up to 70MPH with locally higher gusts. A Flood Watch continues for much of Vermont, and portions of Northern New York, for the potential of Ice Jam flooding. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Champlain Valley, and Updated for the Western slopes of the Central Green mountains in Vermont, and for the Adirondack mountains in Northern New York excluding the St. Lawrence Valley for winds in the 25-35MPH range with gusts 45-55MPH. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the remainder of Vermont for the potential of wind gusts in excess of 45MPH.

         The National Weather Service in Albany, NY continues a Flash Flood Watch for extreme Southern Vermont, for the potential of Flash flooding from heavy rainfall accumulations of 1-2 inches with local amounts nearing or exceeding 3 inches. As well as the potential for icejam flooding. A Wind Advisory remains in effect for extreme southern Vermont for strong wind gusts in the 45-55MPH range, with isolated higher gusts in the most favorable higher terrain.

         Champlain Valley Weather has updated the High Wind Warning for the Western Slopes of the Green mountains for sustained winds of 30-45MPH with gusts to 70MPH, localized gusts to 85MPH are possible in favored mountain gap locations of the Western slopes of the Green mountains. A High Wind Warning has been issued for the Vermont side of the Champlain Valley for sustained winds in the 25-40MPH range with gusts up to 55MPH. A Wind Advisory has been issued for the remainder of Vermont, and continues for Northern New York, excluding the St. Lawrence Valley for winds in the 15-30MPH range with gusts to 50MPH. The Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Vermont, and Northern New York for the potential of flooding of smaller creeks and streams, and the potential for Ice Jam flooding on many area waterways.

Champlain Valley Weather Discussion:
         Significant update to the forecast this afternoon. I have had to issue a High Wind Warning for the Vermont side of the Champlain Valley as winds have been very strong, and reports of power outages, trees down, and some minor structural damage have been received. Sustained winds on the Vermont side of the Champlain Valley have been ranging from 25-40MPH. Of even more concern is the fact the Western slopes of the green mountains have been seeing even greater winds then initially expected. A Wind gust of 82MPH was reported in Cambridge, Vermont at 10:43AM. Also in the town of Bakersfield, Vermont in Eastern Franklin County an older Barn was blow down. Thus I have updated the High Wind Warning for the Western slopes to include sustained winds of 30-45MPH with gusts to 70MPH, and isolated gusts to 85MPH. Also winds have increased across the remainder of the area with gusts ranging from 45-50MPH across the remainder of Vermont and Northern New York. Additional damage and power outages are likely this afternoon. Winds should begin to diminish around 3PM.

         As far as the rain is concerned, it has been able to hold out of Vermont for much of the day, due to significant downsloping/ drying winds. Rain has now begun to develop in ernest across Vermont, and the heavy rain is still likely to occur, it has just been delayed. This is not good either has sun was able to break out in many places and temperatures have warmer into the mid to upper 50's in many Valley locations, and mid 40's to lower 50's in the higher elevations. This has increased snowmelt, and already with not much rain, significant runoff is occur from the snowmelt alone. Conditions will continue to be monitored for any Flood Warnings or Advisories. Stay tuned for further updates on this serious weather event.