Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 66, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 3, 2026Cayuga County, Wayne County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 3, 2026, 5:37 PM EDT for Cayuga County, Wayne County, New York. It was in force for 32 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 3, 2026, 5:37 PM EDT (21:37 UTC)
Expired
Jul 3, 2026, 6:09 PM EDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Cayuga County, NY, Wayne County, NY

The radar

The Ft Drum radar (KTYX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:39 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 3, 3:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 153 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 530 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 7 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
530 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-89 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1228 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
7 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
66 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

966 
WUUS51 KBUF 032137
SVRBUF
NYC011-117-032230-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0066.260703T2137Z-260703T2230Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
537 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 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...

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 537 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Chimney Bluffs State Park to near Newark,
  moving southeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Clyde, Sodus, Rose, Conquest, Savannah, Wolcott, Port Byron, South
  Butler, North Rose, and Alton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4326 7709 4320 7664 4303 7659 4302 7682
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 300DEG 38KT 4322 7697 4309 7706 

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

$$

TMA
1 follow-up statement
109 
WWUS51 KBUF 032209
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
609 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

NYC011-117-032219-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0066.000000T0000Z-260703T2230Z/
Wayne NY-Cayuga NY-
609 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE AND CAYUGA
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
central New York.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Buffalo.

&&

LAT...LON 4326 7709 4320 7664 4303 7659 4302 7682
TIME...MOT...LOC 2207Z 300DEG 38KT 4306 7659 4293 7668 

$$

Welch

What 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 Jul 3, 1:38 PM EDT, 3 hours 59 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Post peak heat and humidity will continue to ease through the holiday weekend, though still above normal warmth. 2) Showers and thunderstorms likely at times through the weekend, a few of which may be strong to severe. 3) Showers and thunderstorms remain possible to start the new work week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 1:38 PM EDT, 3 hours 59 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Minimal changes to the forecast with this package update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Post peak heat and humidity will continue to ease through the
holiday weekend, though still above normal warmth.

2) Showers and thunderstorms likely at times through the weekend, a
few of which may be strong to severe.

3) Showers and thunderstorms remain possible to start the new work
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Post peak heat and humidity will continue to ease
through the holiday weekend, though still above normal warmth.

A 596 dm ridge centered over the Southeast this afternoon will
weaken to around 590 dm and ease to the seaboard by Sunday...and
this will allow for 850 hPa temperatures to lower from around +20C
this afternoon to +16C Sunday afternoon as the core of the heat
drops southward. Pwats will also lower, from around 2.00 inches this
afternoon down to 1.50 inches Sunday, with the potential for sub
1.00 inch Pwats across the North Country Sunday.

The lowering of both heat and humidity will continue the downward
trend in apparent temperatures, such that todays mid 90s to lower
100s oppressive heat index values lower to upper 80s for Saturday
and lower 80s for heat indices for Sunday. Like recent days the max
heat index values will focus upon the Lake Ontario lake plain and
through the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes region. A heat advisory
will remain in effect through 8 PM this evening...and this will be
the last of the heat headlines with this heat wave.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Showers and thunderstorms likely at times through
the weekend, a few of which may be strong to severe.

Several convective shortwaves will pass across our region through
the weekend...these ahead of a deeper shortwave trough that will
remain across the Western Great Lakes through the weekend.

Showers and thunderstorms this afternoon will focus across areas
south of Lake Ontario, within a higher moisture rich airmass, and a
theta-E ridge situated across WNY. Initial development is presently
upon lingering outflow and lake breeze boundaries. This developing
lake breeze boundary may keep areas northeast of Lake Erie,
including the Buffalo metro dry through a good portion of the
afternoon, with a shower or thunderstorm possible late afternoon
or early evening with the weakening of the lake breeze boundary.

While high-res models are in poor agreement, they do focus the
stronger parameters for severe weather today with a 2000 J/KG MUCAPE
environment supporting taller storms, coupled with a 40 knot jet at
10K feet. Though favorable 0-6 km shear values remain across our
north, the taller storms will support strong downdrafts of which some
may become severe. A high melting layer will make for an unfavorable
environment for large hail, though smaller hail cannot be ruled out.

By Saturday the environment for severe storms will settle
southward, with better instability and wind flow near the State
line. This will line up with SPCs marginal risk outlined across our
southern zones...with again straightline winds the main focus for
severe potential.

A weak frontal boundary will be dropping southward across Western
New York supporting these showers and thunderstorms. Though PWATs
will lower some, a still 1.50 to 1.75 inches Pwat values will allow
for heavier downpours with flooding a possibility if any training of
storms occurred along this west to east frontal boundary.

There will still remain showers and thunderstorms on Sunday, but
behind the frontal boundary and lowering instability and wind
fields, the prospects for severe storms with wind damage
lowers...but heavy downpours remain, especially towards the State
line.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Showers and thunderstorms remain possible to start
the new work week.

A deeper, closed, shortwave trough that remained to our west this
holiday weekend will become an open wave as it advances eastward,
passing across the eastern Great Lakes next Monday and Tuesday. This
will continue the potential for showers and thunderstorms,
especially during the peak heating of the afternoon and evening.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
For the 18Z TAFs VFR flight conditions are present with a few
showers and thunderstorms beginning to blossom. Within an
environment with favorable instability, storm coverage will increase
through the afternoon hours, especially for the TAF sites south of
Lake Ontario.

While VFR will be dominate this afternoon, any storm will have the
potential to bring brief IFR flight conditions within downpours of
rain. Ceiling heights will largely remain VFR through the evening
hours, but deeper into the night a layer of MVFR stratus may
develop.

Another round of showers is possible late tonight...though
confidence in timing of this convective shortwave is low at this
time.

Any morning showers Saturday will end around 14-16Z, with daytime
instability bringing another round of afternoon
activity...especially south of the Thruway by around 17-18Z.

Outlook...

Saturday afternoon through Monday...VFR/MVFR with occasional showers
and scattered thunderstorms. Greatest coverage of rain over the
southern half of the area. Brief/local IFR in thunderstorms.

Tuesday...Mainly VFR with a chance of a few showers and
thunderstorms, mainly inland from the lakes.

Wednesday...Mainly VFR.

&&

.MARINE...
Light winds tonight through Saturday with minimal wave action.
Behind a weak frontal boundary winds will become northwesterly on
Lake Ontario tomorrow afternoon, and then as surface high pressure
builds southward Sunday winds will predominately become
northeasterly on both lakes. Winds to close out the holiday weekend
and into Monday will remain 15 knots or lower, leaving minimal waves
on the Lakes, though waves may reach 2 feet on the western waters of
Lake Ontario with a longer fetch to the northeast wind

Scattered thunderstorms are expected from midday through early
evening today, and again Saturday. Some storms may produce locally
stronger winds and higher waves.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Hot and humid conditions will continue today. Here are the record
maximum and high minimum temperatures for Buffalo, Rochester,
and Watertown.

                    7/3
Buffalo, NY
High Max          94(1949)
Warm Low          74(1911*)

Rochester, NY
High Max          100(1911)
Warm Low          75(1911)

Watertown, NY
High Max          91(1966)
Warm Low          74(1973)

Average Temperatures for July 3
Buffalo
Max           79
Min           62

Rochester
Max           82
Min           61

Watertown
Max           78
Min           58

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NYZ001>008-
     010>014-019>021-085.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Thomas
AVIATION...Thomas
MARINE...Thomas
CLIMATE...Hitchcock
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 3, 1:38 PM EDT, 3 hours 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

NYZ012>014-019>021-085-041745-
Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-
Southern Erie-
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western 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.

   Heat Advisory.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected today, especially
from mid afternoon through early evening. Some storms may be severe,
with localized damaging winds the main risk. A swath of more
significant wind damage is possible if thunderstorms organize into a
line.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Another round of showers and scattered thunderstorms is expected
Saturday. A few isolated storms may become severe during the
afternoon and evening, with localized strong wind gusts the primary
hazard.

.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

NYZ001>006-010-011-041745-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Northern Erie-
Genesee-
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 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.

   Heat Advisory.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected today, especially
from mid afternoon through early evening. Some storms may be severe,
with localized damaging winds the main risk. A swath of more
significant wind damage is possible if thunderstorms organize into a
line.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

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

NYZ007-008-041745-
Jefferson-Lewis-
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS 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.

   Heat Advisory.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected today, especially from mid
afternoon through early evening. Some storms may be severe, with
localized damaging winds the main risk.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

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

LEZ040-041-041745-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected today, especially from this
afternoon through early evening. A few storms may contain locally
strong wind gusts and higher waves.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday, especially from
early afternoon through early evening. A few storms may contain
locally strong wind gusts and higher waves.

.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-LOZ030-042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-041745-
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-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-
138 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected today, especially from mid
afternoon through early evening. A few storms may contain locally
strong wind gusts and higher waves.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 3, 5:17 PM EDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
517 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0504 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NNW Irondequoit       43.24N 77.59W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   911 Call Center

            Large tree down on Shorewood Dr.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 3, 5:18 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
518 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0457 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Greece                  43.21N 77.70W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   911 Call Center

            Several trees down in Greece.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 3, 5:22 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
522 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0458 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 ENE Greece            43.24N 77.64W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   911 Call Center

            Tree down on house on Hilltop Road.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 3, 5:24 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
524 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0501 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NE Rochester          43.18N 77.59W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   911 Call Center

            Tree and wires down on North Lane Dr.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 3, 5:26 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
526 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0501 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Gates-North Gates       43.17N 77.71W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   911 Call Center

            Tree and wires down on Cole Ave.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 3, 5:28 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
528 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0501 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NNW Rochester         43.18N 77.62W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   911 Call Center

            Tree down on Saranac Street.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 9:18 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF43 min
Jul 3, 3:44 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF61 min
Jul 3, 4:12 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF63 min
Jul 3, 4:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFMonroe, Wayne60 min
Jul 3, 5:03 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF57 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.