Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 67, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 4, 2026Erie County, Niagara County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 4, 2026, 3:18 AM EDT for Erie County, Niagara County, New York. It was in force for 43 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 4, 2026, 3:18 AM EDT (07:18 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2026, 4:01 AM EDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Erie County, NY, Niagara County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 22 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:18 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 nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 00:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 25 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 759 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 82 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
759 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-88 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1421 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
81 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
2.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

300 
WUUS51 KBUF 040718
SVRBUF
NYC029-063-040815-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0067.260704T0718Z-260704T0815Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
318 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwest Erie County in western New York...
  Southwestern Niagara County in western New York...

* Until 415 AM EDT.

* At 317 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Niagara
  Falls, moving east at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, Kenmore, Amherst, 
  Tonawanda, Williamsville, and Grand Island.

This includes Interstate 90 near exit 50 and Interstate 190 north of 
Buffalo. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning
are 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.

&&

LAT...LON 4311 7906 4312 7907 4314 7904 4321 7905
      4315 7868 4302 7868 4291 7881 4294 7892
      4296 7893 4296 7897 4298 7901 4302 7902
      4306 7900 4307 7901 4308 7908
TIME...MOT...LOC 0717Z 292DEG 23KT 4312 7915 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Hitchcock
3 follow-up statements
498 
WWUS51 KBUF 040738
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
338 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

NYC029-063-040815-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0067.000000T0000Z-260704T0815Z/
Erie NY-Niagara NY-
338 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 AM EDT
FOR NORTHWEST ERIE AND SOUTHWESTERN NIAGARA COUNTIES...

At 337 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near North
Tonawanda, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, Kenmore, Amherst, 
Tonawanda, Williamsville, and Grand Island.

This includes Interstate 90 near exit 50, and Interstate 190 north
of Buffalo.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4311 7906 4312 7907 4314 7904 4321 7905
      4315 7868 4302 7868 4291 7881 4294 7891
      4296 7893 4296 7897 4298 7901 4302 7902
      4306 7900 4307 7901 4308 7908
TIME...MOT...LOC 0737Z 287DEG 25KT 4309 7892 

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

$$

Hitchcock
660 
WWUS51 KBUF 040749
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
349 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

NYC029-063-040815-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0067.000000T0000Z-260704T0815Z/
Erie NY-Niagara NY-
349 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 AM EDT
FOR NORTH CENTRAL ERIE AND SOUTH CENTRAL NIAGARA COUNTIES...

At 349 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near North
Tonawanda, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, Amherst, Tonawanda, Grand Island,
Pendleton, Sanborn, and East Amherst.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4318 7891 4315 7868 4302 7868 4298 7873
      4302 7892
TIME...MOT...LOC 0749Z 289DEG 24KT 4307 7880 

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

$$

Hitchcock
616 
WWUS51 KBUF 040801
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
401 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

NYC029-063-040810-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0067.000000T0000Z-260704T0815Z/
Erie NY-Niagara NY-
401 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL ERIE AND SOUTH
CENTRAL NIAGARA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds and
heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4318 7891 4315 7868 4302 7868 4298 7873
      4302 7892
TIME...MOT...LOC 0759Z 292DEG 23KT 4304 7870 

$$

Hitchcock

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 4, 2:09 AM EDT, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Showers likely at times today, along with scattered thunderstorms. Isolated severe thunderstorms possible across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. 2) Unsettled weather will continue Sunday through Monday with occasional showers and a few thunderstorms, especially across southern portions of the area. 3) Temperatures and humidity will continue to trend downward this weekend following the heat wave.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 2:09 AM EDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
209 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Minor changes to the forecast with this update.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Showers likely at times today, along with scattered
thunderstorms. Isolated severe thunderstorms possible across the
Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.

2) Unsettled weather will continue Sunday through Monday with
occasional showers and a few thunderstorms, especially across
southern portions of the area.

3) Temperatures and humidity will continue to trend downward this
weekend following the heat wave.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Showers likely at times today, along with scattered
thunderstorms. Isolated severe thunderstorms possible across the
Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.

Scattered showers and isolated thunder will continue to cross the
area from west to east through mid to late morning as a series of
weak, convectively modulated shortwaves cross the eastern Great
Lakes atop a weak east-west oriented frontal zone. The coverage of
showers should remain widely scattered through mid to late morning
with weak forcing and limited instability.

The coverage of showers and scattered thunderstorms will increase
during the midday hours with diurnal destabilization and the approach
of additional mid level height falls and small scale shortwaves. The
increase in background synoptic scale forcing will also interact
with lake breeze convergence zones as background flow gradually
veers today as the frontal zone drifts southward, but lake forced
southwest flow continues over and northeast of Lake Erie. Peak
coverage of showers and thunder will be this afternoon, then showers
will quickly diminish early this evening with the loss of daytime
heating, and as the frontal zone continues to sink southward towards
northern PA. Most of the thunder should end by sunset as the
boundary layer stabilizes.

There will be more cloud cover today than recent days, which will
limit destabilization in some areas. Nonetheless, breaks in the
clouds will allow the very warm and humid airmass to destabilize
sufficiently to support at least a low end risk of severe
thunderstorms this afternoon. Effective shear will be quite weak,
but a few isolated strong to severe storms are possible in the
afternoon with peak heating. The main risk will be localized strong
wind gusts from precipitation loading and collapsing cores, mainly
across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. The limited severe risk
will quickly diminish early this evening with the loss of diurnal
instability.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Unsettled weather will continue Sunday through
Monday with occasional showers and a few thunderstorms, especially
across southern portions of the area.

A weak mid level trough will gradually sharpen across the Great
Lakes Sunday through early Monday, then cross the eastern Great
Lakes late Monday through Monday night. At the surface, a weak low
will develop over Ohio Sunday, then drift east towards the Mid
Atlantic Monday. A plume of deep moisture will remain in place
across Ohio and Pennsylvania and likely the Southern Tier of NY as
well. Much drier air will be poised just north of the region across
Ontario and Quebec, resulting in a sharp northern edge of clouds and
rain chances.

Occasional showers and a few scattered thunderstorms will continue
Sunday through Monday across the Southern Tier in close proximity to
more favorable moisture and forcing. Rain chances will be lower
along and north of the NY Thruway, although there is still some
uncertainty with respect to the northern edge of the rain with this
system. The North Country will be deeper into the dry air associated
with high pressure over Quebec, and have the lowest chance of rain
through the period.

The mid level trough will linger over the Northeast US Tuesday, and
may still support a few scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms
mainly inland from the lakes. Mainly dry weather will return by
Wednesday as high pressure builds into the Ohio Valley and eastern
Great Lakes.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Temperatures and humidity will continue to trend
downward this weekend following the heat wave.

The heat wave is now behind us as the strong mid/upper level ridge
continues to flatten and drift off the southeast US coast this
weekend. It will still be quite muggy today with surface dewpoints
in the lower 70s, but clouds and showers will help to keep highs in
the low to mid 80s in most areas. The heat index will peak in the
mid to upper 80s. Temperatures will return to typical mid summer
values Sunday through early next week, with dewpoints also pulling
back into the 60s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
An east-west oriented frontal zone will remain draped across the
eastern Great Lakes today, bringing another day of showers and a few
thunderstorms to the region. The timing and placement of clusters of
more organized showers and thunderstorms is highly uncertain. In
general, expect scattered showers and isolated thunder through mid
morning, with coverage ramping up late morning through the afternoon
before diminishing again early this evening. A few storms may
contain gusty winds, especially across the Southern Tier and Finger
Lakes. VFR will prevail most of the time, but any of the heavier
showers and storms will produce brief/local MVFR to IFR conditions.

The coverage of showers and thunderstorms will diminish this
evening, although a few scattered showers may continue overnight
especially across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. Late tonight,
chances of low stratus and associated MVFR CIGS will increase south
of Lake Ontario as northeast flow develops behind the weak cold front
sagging south of the area. Patchy IFR may develop across the higher
terrain of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.

Outlook...

Sunday 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.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Hitchcock
AVIATION...Hitchcock
MARINE...Hitchcock
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 2:12 AM EDT, 1 hour 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
212 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

NYZ012>014-019>021-085-050615-
Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-
Southern Erie-
212 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Showers and scattered thunderstorms will develop again today, with
the best coverage of thunderstorms this afternoon. There is chance of
a few isolated severe thunderstorms, with locally strong wind gusts
the main hazard.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

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

NYZ001>008-010-011-050615-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Northern Erie-Genesee-
212 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

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

LEZ040-041-050615-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo-
212 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Showers and scattered thunderstorms will develop again today, with
the best coverage of thunderstorms this afternoon. There is chance of
a few isolated strong thunderstorms, with locally strong wind gusts
and higher waves the main hazard.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

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

LEZ020-LOZ030-042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-050615-
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-
212 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

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

Hitchcock

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 3, 9:25 PM EDT, 5 hours 53 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
925 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0508 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 N Webster             43.26N 77.44W
07/03/2026                   Monroe             NY   Public

            Report of several trees and branches down
            near Lake Shore Drive and Great Lakes Seaway
            Trail.

0508 PM     Marine Tstm Wind 4 NNW Webster           43.27N 77.44W
07/03/2026  E58 MPH          LOZ043             NY   Public

            Report of several trees and branches down
            onshore near Lake Shore Drive and Great
            Lakes Seaway Trail.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 2:56 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF54 min
Jul 4, 8:25 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF65 min
Jul 4, 1:45 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF60 min
Jul 4, 2:39 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF66 min
Jul 4, 2:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFMonroe, Ontario, Wayne63 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.