The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southeastern Schenectady County, Central Albany County and Southwestern Rensselaer County until 4:15 p.m.
At 3:18 p.m. the weather service observed a severe thunderstorm located over Altamont, near Rotterdam, moving east at 20 mph. This storm is capable of wind gusts of 60 mph and quarter-size hail.
The storm is projected to follow a line that will impact Albany, Troy, Rotterdam, East Greenbush, Watervliet, Rensselaer, Colonie, Delmar, Guilderland, Menands, Voorheesville, Altamont, Castleton-On-Hudson, Loudonville, West Sand Lake, Wyantskill, Feura Bush, Wynantskill, North Greenbush and New Scotland.
The National Weather Service advises residents to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.