Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 72, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 18, 20264 counties in New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 18, 2026, 12:35 PM EDT for 4 counties in New York. It was in force for 70 min. 2 reports 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
Jul 18, 2026, 12:35 PM EDT (16:35 UTC)
Expired
Jul 18, 2026, 1:45 PM EDT
In force
70 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Livingston County, NY, Monroe County, NY, Ontario County, NY, Wayne County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 121 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:38 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 18, 12:53 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Se Honeoye Falls, NYTree and wire down on Ontario Street.
Jul 18, 1:34 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 N Geneva, NYTree down, partially across Gambee Road.

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 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 18 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, 4.6 hours before the alert went out and 118 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 2026-07-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 176 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°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 2026-07-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 173 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
176 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-138 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
958 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
173 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
212 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

349 
WUUS51 KBUF 181635
SVRBUF
NYC051-055-069-117-181745-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0072.260718T1635Z-260718T1745Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1235 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southern Wayne County in western New York...
  Northeastern Livingston County in western New York...
  Southern Monroe County in western New York...
  Ontario County in western New York...

* Until 145 PM EDT.

* At 1234 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Fairport to near Scottsville, moving east at 30
  mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Rochester, Irondequoit, Geneva, Canandaigua, East Rochester,
  Webster, Fairport, Brighton, Henrietta, and Penfield.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 390 between exits 9 and 12.
 Interstate 90 between exits 42 and 46.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4290 7791 4300 7791 4323 7741 4308 7670
      4306 7672 4302 7672 4301 7696 4276 7698
      4276 7730
TIME...MOT...LOC 1634Z 288DEG 25KT 4307 7742 4299 7778 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Brothers
2 follow-up statements
133 
WWUS51 KBUF 181714
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
114 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

NYC051-181724-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260718T1745Z/
Livingston NY-
114 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4283 7759 4285 7759 4286 7755 4287 7755
      4294 7758 4298 7756 4308 7704 4308 7670
      4306 7672 4302 7672 4301 7696 4276 7698
      4276 7730
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 288DEG 25KT 4298 7707 4291 7743 

$$

NYC055-069-117-181745-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260718T1745Z/
Wayne NY-Monroe NY-Ontario NY-
114 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE...SOUTHEASTERN MONROE AND ONTARIO COUNTIES...

At 114 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Phelps to Bloomfield, moving east at 30 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Geneva, Canandaigua, Newark, Lyons, Victor, Bristol, Clifton Springs,
Clyde, Phelps, and Bloomfield.

This includes Interstate 90 between exits 42 and 44.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4283 7759 4285 7759 4286 7755 4287 7755
      4294 7758 4298 7756 4308 7704 4308 7670
      4306 7672 4302 7672 4301 7696 4276 7698
      4276 7730
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 288DEG 25KT 4298 7707 4291 7743 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Brothers
094 
WWUS51 KBUF 181740
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
140 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

NYC055-069-117-181750-
/O.EXP.KBUF.SV.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260718T1745Z/
Wayne NY-Monroe NY-Ontario NY-
140 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE...
SOUTHEASTERN MONROE AND ONTARIO COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 145 PM EDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and have exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire.  However, heavy rain is still possible with
these thunderstorms.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4283 7759 4285 7759 4286 7755 4287 7755
      4294 7758 4298 7756 4308 7704 4308 7670
      4306 7672 4302 7672 4301 7696 4276 7698
      4276 7730
TIME...MOT...LOC 1740Z 288DEG 25KT 4292 7684 4285 7720 

$$

Brothers

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 18, 7:16 AM EDT, 5 hours 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Canadian wildfire smoke will continue to cause poor air quality today. 2) Showers and thunderstorms are expected at times through this evening, with numerous severe thunderstorms able to produce damaging winds and locally heavy rain. 3) Gusty winds are expected northeast of Lake Erie this afternoon.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 7:16 AM EDT, 5 hours 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
716 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
An Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms (3 of 5) covers the entire
forecast area today.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Canadian wildfire smoke will continue to cause poor air quality
today.

2) Showers and thunderstorms are expected at times through this
evening, with numerous severe thunderstorms able to produce damaging
winds and locally heavy rain.

3) Gusty winds are expected northeast of Lake Erie this afternoon.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key Message 1...Canadian wildfire smoke will continue to cause poor
air quality today.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires extends into western NY this morning.
A warm front will move across the region today, and smoke will lift
back northward. Based on the latest HRRR and REFS, surface smoke is
expected to improve across western NY late this morning through
afternoon, and by evening across north-central NY. Air Quality
Alerts remain in effect today.

Key Message 2...Showers and thunderstorms are expected at times
through this evening, with numerous severe thunderstorms able to
produce damaging winds and locally heavy rain.

WV imagery shows a potent shortwave trough digging into the Upper
Great Lakes region this morning. The trough will continue to dig
into the Lower Great Lakes region, with a surface low deepening as
it moves from Lake Superior to Quebec today. Isentropic lift and
moisture advection ahead of a warm front has led to showers across
the Lake Ontario region this morning. A few thunderstorms can't be
ruled out in this activity. The warm front will move across the
region this morning. A tight moisture gradient and elevated
instability will support scattered showers and a few thunderstorms
across western NY, mainly staying south of I-90 through mid-morning.
The chance for showers and a few thunderstorms will increase east of
Lake Ontario with the warm front late this morning. There will be
some dry time across western NY mid/late morning.

The region will be get into the warm sector with dewpoints climbing
into the upper 60s to lower 70s today. The surface low will pass by
to the north while an associated cold front drops south across the
region late this afternoon through this evening. A favorable set-up
for severe weather is expected across the forecast area today. While
smoke will linger today, heating within a moist airmass will result
in destabilization. The wind field will strengthen ahead of the cold
front resulting in 30-40knots of 0-6km shear. A broken line of
storms is expected to form on a pre-frontal trough or differential
heating boundaries as early as noon, with a secondary line of
convection with the front between 2pm-8pm. Numerous severe
thunderstorms are expected today with damaging winds, locally heavy
rainfall, and an isolated tornado as the main threats. The SPC has
issued a Enhanced Risk (3 of 5) of severe thunderstorms.

The threat for thunderstorms will come to an end behind the cold
front tonight. A few showers may linger into Sunday morning.

Key Message 3...Gusty winds are expected northeast of Lake Erie this
afternoon.

The pressure gradient ahead of the surface low and cold front will
tighten and southwest winds will increase across the region. A 30-40
knot low level jet will move overhead. Wind gusts of 25-35 mph are
expected this afternoon, with the strongest wind gusts northeast of
Lake Erie. A few gusts of up to 40 mph area possible northeast of
Lake Erie. The timing of the strongest wind gusts outside of
thunderstorms is noon-4PM.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Smoke and numerous thunderstorms will bring flight restrictions to
western and north-central NY through this evening.

A plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires extends into the Lake Erie
region this morning. The area of smoke will lift northward as winds
increase from the southwest today. Visibility is expected to fall to
MVFR in smoke, however a brief period of IFR can't be ruled out.

An area of low pressure is expected to move north of the region
today. A warm front will lift northward and chances of showers and
thunderstorms will increase across western NY this morning. A brief
period of MVFR/IFR conditions are possible in showers and
thunderstorms, as well as smoke through late morning. A
southwest wind will increase across the region behind the warm
front today, and wind gusts of 25-35 knots are expected, with
the highest gusts northeast of Lake Erie.

Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected ahead of
a cold front this afternoon through this evening. Some storms may
become severe with strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall. The timing
of the greatest coverage of showers and thunderstorms is expected
between 18-00z. Showers will linger across the Finger Lakes region
into the evening with MVFR conditions across the higher terrain
overnight. VFR conditions are expected across the lower elevations
tonight.

Outlook...

Sunday and Monday...Fair weather and VFR expected. Lingering smoke
possible.

Monday night and Tuesday...Restrictions likely in periodic showers
and thunderstorms.

Wednesday...Restrictions possible with Lingering showers.

&&

.MARINE...
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will result in periods of reduced
visibility on the lower Great Lakes through Saturday.

A warm front will pass across the lower Great Lakes this morning
with south-southwest winds freshening to 15-20 knots. Waves will
build to 3 to 6 feet today.

A cold front will move across the region this afternoon with west
and northwest winds developing behind it, with small craft
conditions developing on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Small craft
conditions will come to an end of Lake Erie this evening, while
continuing on Lake Ontario through tonight. Thunderstorms chances
will increase starting this morning with the warm front. Additional
rounds of thunderstorms are expected today as a cold front moves
through.

High pressure builds in Sunday and persists through Monday with
winds and waves subsiding.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for NYZ001>008-
     010>014-019>021-085.
     Beach Hazards Statement through this evening for NYZ010-019-
     085.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for LEZ020.
         Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for
         LEZ040-041.
         Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 4 AM
         EDT Sunday for LOZ042.
         Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 10 AM EDT
         Sunday for LOZ043-044.
         Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM EDT Sunday for LOZ045.

&&

DISCUSSION...HSK
AVIATION...HSK
MARINE...HSK/TMA
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 18, 2:21 AM EDT, 10 hours 14 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
221 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-190630-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
221 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms through this
evening. The primary hazards are damaging winds, heavy rainfall and
an isolated tornado.

.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

LEZ020-040-041-LOZ030-042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-190630-
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-
221 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the New York waters of Lake
Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Saint Lawrence River.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms through this
evening. The primary hazards are strong wind gusts and heavy rain.

.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

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 18, 3:46 AM EDTBeach Hazards StatementBUFCayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Jefferson, Monroe, Orleans and 2 more26 hr
Jul 18, 10:43 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF51 min
Jul 18, 11:41 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFGenesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans64 min
Jul 18, 12:04 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF56 min
Jul 18, 12:55 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningBUFGenesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans6 hr
Jul 18, 1:05 PM EDTTornado WarningBUFOntario40 min
Jul 18, 1:06 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF54 min
Jul 18, 1:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFGenesee, Niagara, Orleans65 min
Jul 18, 1:59 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF46 min
Jul 18, 2:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans81 min
Jul 18, 2:44 PM EDTTornado WarningBUFGenesee, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans31 min
Jul 18, 3:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFLivingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne65 min
Jul 18, 3:32 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF43 min
Jul 18, 3:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie, Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming47 min
Jul 18, 3:54 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningBUFMonroe15 hr
Jul 18, 4:05 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningBUFLivingston, Monroe, Ontario4 hr
Jul 18, 4:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFCattaraugus, Chautauqua50 min
Jul 18, 4:35 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF85 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.