Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 26, NWS Buffalo, NY
NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 16, 2026, 6:51 PM EDT for Cayuga County, Oswego County, Wayne County, New York. It was in force for 54 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 16, 2026, 6:51 PM EDT (22:51 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 16, 2026, 7:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 54 min
- Issued by
- NWS Buffalo, NY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Cayuga County, NY, Oswego County, NY, Wayne County, NY
The radar
The Ft Drum radar (KTYX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:54 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 7:16 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Se Hannibal, NY | Tree downed. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 25 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 202 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 23 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -97 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 859 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 57 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 191 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 208 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
288
WUUS51 KBUF 162251
SVRBUF
NYC011-075-117-162345-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0026.260416T2251Z-260416T2345Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
651 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Wayne County in western New York...
Cayuga County in central New York...
Southern Oswego County in central New York...
* Until 745 PM EDT.
* At 651 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Clyde, or 14
miles north of Seneca Falls, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Fulton, Clyde, Central Square, Weedsport, Cato, Hastings, Volney,
Constantia, West Monroe, and Palermo.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 90 near exit 40.
Interstate 81 between exits 32 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4320 7621 4324 7626
4324 7627 4320 7627 4323 7631 4323 7648
4314 7649 4311 7647 4310 7650 4303 7650
4302 7685 4315 7693 4354 7592 4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 245DEG 39KT 4311 7677
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Mitchell4 follow-up statements
219
WWUS51 KBUF 162309
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
709 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
NYC117-162319-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260416T2345Z/
Wayne NY-
709 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4320 7621 4324 7626
4324 7627 4320 7627 4323 7631 4323 7648
4303 7650 4306 7656 4320 7671 4324 7671
4354 7592 4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 245DEG 35KT 4317 7658
$$
NYC011-075-162345-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260416T2345Z/
Cayuga NY-Oswego NY-
709 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR CAYUGA AND SOUTHERN OSWEGO COUNTIES...
At 709 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Cato, or 12
miles west of Baldwinsville, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Fulton, Central Square, Cato, Hastings, Volney, Constantia, West
Monroe, Palermo, Phoenix, and Ira.
This includes Interstate 81 between exits 32 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4320 7621 4324 7626
4324 7627 4320 7627 4323 7631 4323 7648
4303 7650 4306 7656 4320 7671 4324 7671
4354 7592 4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 245DEG 35KT 4317 7658
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Mitchell292
WWUS51 KBUF 162322
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
722 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
NYC011-162331-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260416T2345Z/
Cayuga NY-
722 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CAYUGA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4327 7621 4321 7621
4324 7627 4320 7627 4323 7631 4323 7648
4325 7648 4326 7650 4330 7654 4354 7592
4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 240DEG 38KT 4325 7645
$$
NYC075-162345-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260416T2345Z/
Oswego NY-
722 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHERN OSWEGO COUNTY...
At 721 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lysander, or
near Fulton, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Fulton, Central Square, Hastings, Volney, Constantia, West Monroe,
Palermo, Phoenix, Williamstown, and Parish.
This includes Interstate 81 between exits 32 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4327 7621 4321 7621
4324 7627 4320 7627 4323 7631 4323 7648
4325 7648 4326 7650 4330 7654 4354 7592
4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 240DEG 38KT 4325 7645
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Mitchell481
WWUS51 KBUF 162333
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
733 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
NYC075-162345-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260416T2345Z/
Oswego NY-
733 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN OSWEGO COUNTY...
At 733 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Central Square,
or 9 miles northeast of Baldwinsville, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Central Square, Constantia, West Monroe, Williamstown, Bernhards Bay,
Sand Ridge, Amboy Center, Mallory, and Gayville.
This includes Interstate 81 near exit 32.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4327 7621 4321 7621
4324 7627 4323 7627 4326 7631 4345 7587
4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 251DEG 42KT 4326 7621
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Mitchell978
WWUS51 KBUF 162341
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
741 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
NYC075-162351-
/O.EXP.KBUF.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260416T2345Z/
Oswego NY-
741 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN OSWEGO COUNTY
WILL EXPIRE AT 745 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire.
&&
LAT...LON 4333 7589 4331 7586 4326 7587 4320 7608
4323 7610 4327 7620 4327 7621 4321 7621
4324 7627 4323 7627 4326 7631 4345 7587
4341 7584
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 245DEG 39KT 4329 7612
$$
MitchellWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Buffalo, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 16, 2:29 PM EDT, 4 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and early this evening, with damaging winds as the main hazard. 2) Another round of widespread showers expected with a few possible thunderstorms Saturday into Saturday night. 3) The very warm pattern continues through Saturday before much colder air arrives by early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 16, 2:29 PM EDT, 4 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Buffalo NY 229 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Increased coverage of fog and lower ceilings tonight. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and early this evening, with damaging winds as the main hazard. 2) Another round of widespread showers expected with a few possible thunderstorms Saturday into Saturday night. 3) The very warm pattern continues through Saturday before much colder air arrives by early next week. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1...Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and early this evening, with damaging winds as the main hazard. Low pressure near the Ontario-Quebec border early this afternoon will slide east to the Saint Lawrence Valley by this evening...then on to the Canadian Maritimes tonight. In the process...this feature will finally sweep the frontal boundary that has been in our vicinity the past few days southeastward across our area as a cold front through early this evening...with the boundary then departing to our southeast tonight and Friday...with the latter finally allowing for a bit of a break in the active weather for later tonight and Friday. Out ahead of the front...some partial sunshine/diurnal warming of our airmass coupled with sfc dewpoints in the vicinity of 60 has already allowed for the development of 500-1000 J/kg of MLCAPE across portions of western/central NY away from the influence of the lakes...with the greatest instability in our area found approximately from about the interior of the Southern Tier/Genesee Valley eastward across the Finger Lakes. Within this latter region...continued destabilization over the next couple hours should allow for pockets of moderate instability to develop by mid to late this afternoon...with weaker/more modest instability expected further back across extreme far WNY...lowest within the area currently shadowed by Lake Erie. Within this environment...a few spotty showers have already managed to form along lake breeze boundaries across WNY and Lake Ontario... and more scattered showers and storms should continue to develop along these features over the next couple hours with further airmass destabilization. As the parent shortwave trough accompanying the surface low begins to increasingly impinge upon the region along with its associated cold front during the mid to late afternoon hours...showers and thunderstorms will tend to become more numerous/ widespread and make their way eastward...before diminishing from west to east early this evening following the cold frontal passage. With a fast/strong flow in place aloft along with 0-6 km bulk shear values in the vicinity of 45-55 knots...the environment should be favorable for the development of strong to severe multicells/linear segments and perhaps also a few supercells. Strong/damaging winds will continue to be the primary threat with these...however there is also a low risk for large hail/an isolated tornado or two within any stronger supercellular convection that can develop. This latter risk will be greatest from portions of the Genesee Valley/Finger Lakes eastward into central NY...where instability should be greatest and the convection may have an opportunity to tap into enhanced low level shear along a potential lake breeze boundary/convergence zone. While we do have a very moist airmass in place for this time of year (PWATs of around 1.50" - supportive of heavy downpours) and ground conditions are also rather moist...the fast movement of the convection should generally help to limit hydro concerns...unless repeated training of cells occurs over the same areas...in which case shorter-fused flood/flash flood warnings may become necessary. KEY MESSAGE 2...Another round of widespread showers expected with a few possible thunderstorms Saturday into Saturday night. After a relative break in the active weather later tonight through Friday night...things will turn much more active again on Saturday as a deepening upper level trough overspreads the Great Lakes...and its associated surface low makes its way to the vicinity of James Bay. This next system will sweep its trailing strong cold front across our region Saturday afternoon and evening...with daytime heating of the warm and moist airmass out ahead of the front supporting the development of another round of widespread showers and widely scattered to scattered thunderstorms...with the potential for the latter greatest across western New York where instability looks to be highest. Should these materialize...the strong/fast deep- layer flow out ahead of the front may support a linear convective mode with a few localized strong wind gusts. With daytime heating/mixing...the stronger flow aloft may also allow for a period of rather breezy to downright windy conditions prior to the frontal passage. KEY MESSAGE 3...The very warm pattern continues through Saturday before much colder air arrives by early next week. While temps will cool off a few degrees for Friday in the wake of the cold front, above average temperatures will easily persist through Saturday. The more substantial pattern change will come behind the cold front described in Key Message (2) as deep upper level troughing crosses the Northeast. 850mb temps of +12C to +15C Saturday afternoon will tumble to -4C to -6C by Sunday morning, before bottoming out around -12C Monday morning. This will result in high temperatures averaging 10-15 degrees (F) below normal Sunday through Monday. Overnight lows will be similarly cold, with areawide temps dipping below freezing and potentially even into the teens across the higher terrain areas, depending on the amount of clearing that takes place. This colder airmass moving through the region combined with some minor lake enhancement and upsloping will even support a few snow showers or flurries at times later Sunday/Sunday night/into Monday...though the relatively dry airmass and short temporal window (coupled with the now-much warmer ground conditions) should result in these having little if any accumulation/impact. Ridging all levels cresting across/east of the area should then cause a southerly flow to develop by Tuesday, thereby allowing temperatures to recover back to near climatological normals. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Low pressure near the Ontario-Quebec border will move east to the Saint Lawrence Valley by this evening...then on into the Canadian Maritimes tonight. In the process...this feature will push its trailing cold front southeastward across the region this afternoon and early this evening...with the front and lake breeze boundaries generating numerous to widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms in the process. In addition to heavy downpours and corresponding reductions to IFR/MVFR...some of the storms will also be capable of strong wind gusts to/over 50 knots and hail... particularly from the Genesee Valley eastward across the Finger Lakes into central New York. Following the passage of the cold front this evening...some scattered showers will probably linger across the region for a good portion of the night. Of more concern to aviation interests... copious amounts of low level moisture should also linger across the region right through tonight. Coupled with weak/light winds...this will allow for the development of widespread LIFR/IFR conditions in low stratus and/or fog. Any lingering scattered showers will then dissipate Friday morning...with flight conditions gradually improving back to VFR through the course of the day as high pressure and drier air builds across our region. Outlook... Friday night...VFR. Saturday...VFR in the morning...then deterioration to IFR/MVFR with showers and scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon and evening. Also breezy to windy. Sunday/Sunday night...A mix of MVFR/IFR with upslope/lake effect rain showers mixing with and changing to snow showers. Monday...Improvement to VFR/MVFR with leftover scattered lake effect/upslope snow showers ending. Tuesday,,,Mainly VFR. && .MARINE... An approaching cold front will generate numerous to widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms as it crosses the region this afternoon and early this evening...a few of which may produce strong surface wind gusts and locally higher waves. Otherwise the warmer airmass and relatively cold lake temperatures will result in limited mixing of synoptic winds...thereby precluding any real risk of advisory-level conditions. Relatively light winds and minimal wave action are then expected later tonight and Friday as high pressure builds across the Lower Great Lakes...before winds increase out of the south/southwest Saturday/Saturday night in association with the approach/passage of a strong cold front. This may result in the next round of SCA conditions with the frontal passage also accompanied by another round of showers and storms...some of which could produce locally stronger winds and higher waves. && .BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NY...None. MARINE...None. && DISCUSSION...JJR AVIATION...JJR MARINE...JJR
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 16, 2:32 PM EDT, 4 hours 19 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 232 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026 NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-171900- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis- Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua- Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie- 232 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Showers and scattered thunderstorms will cross the region this afternoon and early this evening. Some of the storms may become severe, with the primary severe weather risk coming in the form of damaging wind gusts. This being said...large hail and an isolated tornado or two are also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is 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 LEZ020-040-041-LOZ030-042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-171900- Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo- Lower Niagara River- 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- 232 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the New York waters of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Showers and scattered thunderstorms will cross the region this afternoon and early this evening. Some of the storms may become severe, with the primary severe weather risk coming in the form of damaging wind gusts. This being said...large hail and an isolated tornado or two are also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. 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 JJR
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 16, 2:28 PM EDT, 4 hours 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
228 PM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0814 PM Tornado 3 SSW Lime Lake-Machias 42.39N 78.51W
04/15/2026 Cattaraugus NY NWS Storm Survey
Several trees uprooted in multiple
directions shortly after the intersection of
Tug Hill Road and Gulf Hill Road. Primary
residence had a window blown in the upper
most story of the house, with a secondary
residence loosing a few roof shingles.
&&
EAJThe office that day
Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 8:10 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | BUF | Allegany, Cattaraugus | 16 min |
| Apr 15, 8:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BUF | Allegany, Cattaraugus, Livingston, Ontario | 32 min |
| Apr 16, 4:32 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 43 min | |
| Apr 16, 5:13 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 62 min | |
| Apr 16, 5:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BUF | Cayuga, Oswego | 34 min |
| Apr 16, 6:07 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 38 min | |
| Apr 16, 6:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BUF | Lewis | 49 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in New York, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.