Severe Thunderstorm Warning 14, NWS Buffalo, NY

305 
WWUS51 KBUF 010003
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
803 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

NYC013-010012-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260401T0015Z/
Chautauqua NY-
803 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western New York.

&&

LAT...LON 4258 7874 4271 7876 4276 7880 4290 7880
      4304 7865 4311 7836 4265 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 247DEG 55KT 4300 7860 4260 7871 

$$

NYC029-037-121-010015-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260401T0015Z/
Wyoming NY-Erie NY-Genesee NY-
803 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN WYOMING...EASTERN ERIE AND WESTERN GENESEE
COUNTIES...

At 802 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Clarence to near Boston, moving east at 65 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Clarence, Lackawanna, Depew, Lancaster,
East Aurora, Williamsville, Darien Lakes State Park, and Elma.

This includes Interstate 90 between exits 48A and 49, and between
exits 52 and 55.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4258 7874 4271 7876 4276 7880 4290 7880
      4304 7865 4311 7836 4265 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 247DEG 55KT 4300 7860 4260 7871 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

PP

165 
WWUS51 KBUF 010014
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
814 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

NYC029-037-121-010024-
/O.EXP.KBUF.SV.W.0014.000000T0000Z-260401T0015Z/
Wyoming NY-Erie NY-Genesee NY-
814 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN WYOMING...EASTERN
ERIE AND WESTERN GENESEE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 815 PM EDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty 
winds and heavy rain are still possible with these thunderstorms.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western New York.

&&

LAT...LON 4258 7874 4271 7876 4276 7880 4290 7880
      4304 7865 4311 7836 4265 7826
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 270DEG 54KT 4306 7841 4266 7852 

$$

PP

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
227 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Issued a River Flood Warning for the Black River in Lewis County
with a crest expected Wednesday afternoon. Otherwise, minor changes
to the forecast with this update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms through tonight with
heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding.

2) Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon and this evening,
with the primary risk being localized damaging winds.

3) Active weather will continue Thursday and through the
weekend.&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms through
tonight with heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding.

A brief period of mid-level drying moved into the eastern Great
Lakes per latest GOES WV imagery as the shortwave from this
morning's storms moves across the northeast US. Late this afternoon
and evening, low pressure will move east down a frontal zone,
currently extending from southwest ON across Lake Ontario into the
Tug Hill region. The front will sag south across the eastern Great
Lakes tonight as a cold front. Another round of widespread showers
and thunderstorms is expected later this afternoon and evening as
large scale forcing and convergence increase just ahead of the
surface low and associated mid level shortwave. Scattered showers
and thunderstorms will develop by mid-afternoon with a weaker
shortwave propagating ahead of the main feature. The greatest
coverage of rain will be early this evening, with showers then
gradually tapering off from north to south overnight as the cold
front sags southward.

PWAT values will peak at or a little above 1.25" this evening, which
is close to 3 standard deviations above average for early spring.
The combination of strong dynamics and quality moisture will
continue to support heavy rainfall with the various clusters of
showers and thunderstorms crossing the region through this evening.
Latest RFC 1-hr Flash Flood Guidance suggests only 1" of rainfall
will be capable of small stream flooding (~1.5" for 3-hr FFG) due to
antecedent conditions.

While there still remains model uncertainty on where the corridor of
highest QPF will fall, in general expecting rainfall amount of
0.50" to 1.50". Hi-res CAM ensembles (REFS & HREF) have been
slightly shifting southward focusing in on the Southern Tier to
the western Finger Lakes region where localized amounts may
exceed 2.0" if thunderstorms train over the same area. Minor
flooding was reported in portions of Livingston and Ontario Co
from this morning's rainfall, so any additional precipitation
may exacerbate flooding concerns along already swollen creeks
and streams. Details on ongoing river flood concerns can be
found in the Hydro Discussion section below.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon and
this evening, with the primary risk being localized damaging winds.

After multiple rounds of thunderstorms across western NY earlier in
the morning, we have reached the midday break ahead of the next
round of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Latest GOES
imagery showed scattered high clouds, but breaks in the low-to-mid
level clouds will allow for sufficient diurnal heating to begin
destabilizing the boundary layer ahead of the next shortwave troughs
approaching. Locally overhead however, billow clouds continue to
suggest surface based convection in western NY remains capped at
this time.

While instability will be limited (SBCAPE < 1000 J/kg), strong
synoptic scale forcing and strong shear (0-6 km ~ 40 kt) will
support an increased chance of organized convection. Forcing for
ascent will be strongest closer to the cold front this evening with
the more robust shortwave producing widespread showers and
thunderstorms. However, latest GOES WV imagery shows a subtle
shortwave crossing Lake Huron into southwest ON that will provide
additional lift along with any lake breeze circulations that can
develop by mid-afternoon for an earlier round of storms across
western NY, especially extending into the Southern Tier and western
Finger Lakes region. The primary hazard will be localized damaging
wind gusts, with the setup and CAM guidance suggesting the potential
for upscale growth into bowing segments with both rounds of storms.
Long and favorably curved hodographs are also forecast, with strong
low level shear suggesting the potential for an isolated tornado or
two in any discrete cells and possibly from a QLCS.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Active weather will continue Thursday and through
the weekend.

Wednesday initial southward moving cold front will stall near the
Mason Dixon line, while lingering a few showers over our region,
mainly towards the NY/PA state line through Wednesday night. A
cooler and drier airmass behind the front will settle southward from
Canada. High temperatures south of Lake Ontario will be some 15 to
25 degrees lower Wednesday versus today. Cold, northerly flow will
deepen the subfreezing airmass overnight for the North Country.

Thursday this frontal boundary will once again lift northward across
our region. There could be a little snow or wintry mix towards the
North Country and SLV early Thursday morning before the frontal
boundary, and its associated warmer airmass lifts through our entire
region. Instability Thursday will not be as great as today...with
MUCAPE values in the 250 to 750 J/KG, which is still plenty for at
least a slight chance for thunderstorms across our region to go
along with likely rain showers.

A shortwave trough ejecting from the desert Southwest will bring a
low pressure cutting through the Central Great Lakes, with a cold
front swinging across our region Friday afternoon and night. A
second, now PACNW shortwave trough will bring another slightly
deepening storm system through the Great Lakes Saturday night and
into Sunday morning. Modest instability ahead of both these late
week cold fronts will continue the risk for thunder, while PWATs of
1.25 to 1.50 will continue the risk for heavy rain, especially
within any thunderstorms.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
A wave of low pressure and its associated cold front will slowly
push across the Lower Great Lakes tonight. Out ahead of this
boundary...an approaching shortwave coupled with diurnal heating and
a subtle lake breeze boundary will generate an initial round of
showers and thunderstorms across western New York this afternoon
into very early this evening...with the strongest and most organized
portion of this likely focusing across the Southern Tier and
interior portions of the Finger Lakes. The surface wave and cold
front will then bring another...more widespread round of showers and
scattered thunderstorms to the area from this evening into the early
overnight hours...with the convection then diminishing from
northwest to southeast during the balance of the night.

As the above occurs...the current VFR/patchy MVFR ceilings south of
Lake Ontario will give way to lowering ceilings...along with reduced
visibilities (to MVFR/IFR) in any more organized/heavier showers and
storms. Meanwhile...general IFR/LIFR conditions will persist across
the North Country. Following the cold frontal passage...ceilings
will drop to LIFR/IFR areawide during the late evening and early
overnight hours. Another low level jet will also briefly move
overhead late today and this evening...which in tandem with
diminishing surface winds will allow for another short period of
LLWS at most locations.

On Wednesday expect some scattered showers to linger across the
western Southern Tier...with mainly dry weather found further north.
Otherwise a mix of IFR/MVFR ceilings to start the day will gradually
improve to MVFR across the Southern Tier...and VFR further north.

Outlook...

Thursday through Saturday...Periods of MVFR/IFR restrictions in
showers, with the chance of a few thunderstorms at times.

Sunday...MVFR/VFR with showers likely.

&&

.MARINE...
South of a stalled out frontal boundary...moderately brisk
southwesterly winds will continue across Lake Erie at times into
this evening. While this will produce choppy conditions...these are
expected to remain a little below advisory levels. Meanwhile Lake
Ontario will lie along/just to the north of this boundary...with
lighter/weaker easterly to northeasterly flow lingering into early
this evening. A few thunderstorms with locally higher winds and
waves will also be possible across Lake Erie into this evening.

Low pressure will then ride east along the frontal boundary and push
it southeast across New York State tonight. This will bring a round
of widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms...some of which
could produce localized strong wind gusts and higher waves.
Following the frontal passage winds will turn northwesterly and then
northerly while diminishing to 15 knots or less late this evening
and overnight...with generally light to modest northerlies expected
across the region Wednesday. East-northeasterlies will then freshen
across both lakes Wednesday night and Thursday out ahead of the next
wave of low pressure...and will likely lead to a round of SCA
conditions on Lake Ontario.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Afternoon update continue to suggest elevated flows expected along
area creeks and streams after widespread overnight precipitation. A
River Flood Warning has been issued for portions of the Black River
downstream of Boonville for late tonight through Thursday with a
crest expected on the higher end of Minor Flood Stage Wednesday
afternoon. Additional forecast points in western NY are expected to
briefly touch Minor Flood Stage early Wednesday morning including
the Buffalo creeks, but for the time being decided to hold off on
issuing any additional warnings until mid-afternoon convection takes
shape.

A look at the MMEFS of the NAEFS and the GEFS ensembles suggests
that the peaks in the rivers/creeks late this week and into the
weekend with these subsequent periods of showers and thunderstorms
will be slightly lower than the early-mid week peaks. We will need
to watch the slower responding Tonawanda Creek and Black Rivers as
mid week peak levels may run into the late week/weekend rain
events.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for NYZ001>008-010>014-
     019>021-085.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Brothers/Hitchcock/Thomas
AVIATION...JJR
MARINE...JJR
HYDROLOGY...Brothers/Thomas

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
231 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

NYZ001>006-010>014-019>021-085-011845-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Northern Erie-
Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-
Southern Erie-
231 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 79 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north
central New York.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.
   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

Several rounds of scattered thunderstorms are expected today through
this evening. A few storms may contain strong winds and hail from
mid afternoon through mid evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

NYZ007-008-011845-
Jefferson-Lewis-
231 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central New York.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

LEZ020-LOZ030-011845-
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River-
231 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 79 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie and Lake
Ontario.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

Several rounds of scattered thunderstorms are expected today through
this evening. A few storms may contain strong winds and hail from
mid afternoon through mid evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

LEZ040-041-LOZ042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-011845-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin Beach-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence
River-
Lake Ontario open waters from the Niagara River to Hamlin Beach-
Lake Ontario open waters from Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay-
Lake Ontario open waters from Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay-
Lake Ontario open waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence River-
Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg-
Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis-
231 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie, Lake
Ontario and Saint Lawrence River.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Several rounds of scattered thunderstorms are expected today through
this evening. A few storms may contain strong winds and hail from
mid afternoon through mid evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

This product, along with other watches, warnings, advisories, and
statements issued by the National Weather Service office in Buffalo
can be found on the internet at http://www.weather.gov/buf

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
358 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0317 PM     Hail             Gowanda                 42.46N 78.93W
03/31/2026  M1.50 Inch       Erie               NY   Public

            Received report with photo.

&&

MB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
406 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0309 PM     Hail             Perrysburg              42.46N 79.00W
03/31/2026  M1.25 Inch       Cattaraugus        NY   CO-OP Observer

            Updating previous report from Perrysburg.
            Half dollar size hail. Cars dented. Holes in
            siding due to wind driven hail. Large
            accumulations of hail making roads slushy.

&&

MB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
435 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0314 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Gowanda                 42.46N 78.93W
03/31/2026                   Cattaraugus        NY   Public

            Report from Facebook of tree falling on a
            house. Time estimated based on radar.

&&

MB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
535 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0334 PM     Hail             4 SSW Springville       42.46N 78.69W
03/31/2026  M1.00 Inch       Cattaraugus        NY   Public

            Received report on Facebook of accumulating
            hail on Route 219 just south of Cattaraugus
            Creek. Time estimated based on radar.

&&

MB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
542 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0425 PM     Hail             6 WNW Alfred            42.30N 77.88W
03/31/2026  E0.88 Inch       Allegany           NY   Public

            Received report with photo.

&&

MB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
559 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0317 PM     Hail             Collins                 42.50N 78.92W
03/31/2026  E1.50 Inch       Erie               NY   Public

            Received report with photo via Facebook.

&&

MB