Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 79, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 21, 2026Chautauqua County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 21, 2026, 9:58 AM EDT for Chautauqua County, New York. It was in force for 46 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
Jul 21, 2026, 9:58 AM EDT (13:58 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 10:44 AM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Chautauqua County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:59 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 21, 10:40 AM EDTTSTM WND DMG3 Wnw Forestville, NYLarge tree down in the town of Sheridan.

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 42 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, 2.0 hours before the alert went out and 85 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 2026-07-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 300 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 2026-07-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 162 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
300 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-122 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1133 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
162 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
153 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

064 
WUUS51 KBUF 211358
SVRBUF
NYC013-211500-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0079.260721T1358Z-260721T1500Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
958 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Chautauqua County in western New York...

* Until 1100 AM EDT.

* At 957 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles northeast
  of North East, or 21 miles northeast of Erie, moving east at 55
  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...
  Dunkirk, Fredonia, Westfield, Silver Creek, Mayville, Chautauqua
  Institution, Lake Erie State Park, SUNY Fredonia, Chautauqua, and
  Portland.

This includes Interstate 90 between exits 58 and 61.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4244 7950 4251 7942 4257 7923 4257 7911
      4254 7906 4228 7906 4215 7976 4227 7976
      4228 7973 4231 7977
TIME...MOT...LOC 1357Z 251DEG 49KT 4231 7976 

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

$$

Hitchcock
2 follow-up statements
877 
WWUS51 KBUF 211426
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1026 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC013-211500-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0079.000000T0000Z-260721T1500Z/
Chautauqua NY-
1026 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 AM EDT
FOR NORTHEASTERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY...

At 1025 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lake Erie
State Park, or near Fredonia, moving east at 50 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Dunkirk, Fredonia, Silver Creek, Mayville, Lake Erie State Park, SUNY
Fredonia, Portland, and Sheridan.

This includes Interstate 90 between exits 58 and 59.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4244 7950 4251 7942 4257 7923 4257 7911
      4256 7909 4254 7908 4254 7906 4228 7906
      4220 7950 4235 7956
TIME...MOT...LOC 1425Z 250DEG 42KT 4240 7940 

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

$$

Hitchcock
036 
WWUS51 KBUF 211444
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1044 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC013-211454-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0079.000000T0000Z-260721T1500Z/
Chautauqua NY-
1044 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 4244 7950 4251 7942 4257 7923 4257 7911
      4256 7909 4254 7908 4254 7906 4228 7906
      4220 7950 4235 7956
TIME...MOT...LOC 1441Z 251DEG 49KT 4249 7906 

$$

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 21, 6:34 AM EDT, 3 hours 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Conditions are favorable for isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms through this evening. 2) Cool Wednesday, with a chance of a few lingering showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 6:34 AM EDT, 3 hours 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
634 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated precipitation chances based on trends of upstream radar
and lowered probability of showers today due to uncertainty in
timing of showers and thunderstorms.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Conditions are favorable for isolated to scattered severe
thunderstorms through this evening.

2) Cool Wednesday, with a chance of a few lingering showers and
isolated thunderstorms.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key Message 1...Conditions are favorable for isolated to scattered
severe thunderstorms through this evening.

GOES water vapor imagery shows multiple shortwave troughs embedded
in a deep trough across the Great Lakes region this morning. One
shortwave in particular will move across the eastern Great Lakes
region today. Convection is ongoing near a warm front across
eastern Ontario this morning. Showers and a few thunderstorms
are expected to move into the Niagara Frontier through mid-
morning.

Mid level height falls, DPVA, and upper level divergence ahead of
the trough are expected to contribute to a background of large scale
ascent today. A warm front will move across the region today
ushering in deep southwesterly flow and moisture with dewpoints
climbing into the upper 60s to low 70s today. The warm front will be
the first focus of convection today with showers and thunderstorms
moving east across western NY. This convection will move into north-
central NY this afternoon, while additional convection north of Lake
Ontario moves into the North Country as well, and may lead to a more
prolonged period of rain east of Lake Ontario today. Instability is
expected build slowly across the region due to debris clouds and
showers. Some hi-res models such as the HRRR shows a lull of
convection across western NY this afternoon. An increasing southwest
flow will also contribute a stable lake shadow east of Lake Erie
this afternoon. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to
form along lake breeze boundaries across the Niagara Frontier and
east of Lake Erie this afternoon.

A strong cold front will move through the region this evening and
another round of showers and a few thunderstorms are expected. The
severe risk will continue this evening with strong low level
convergence and deep moisture ahead of the front.

While there remains uncertainty in overall coverage of
thunderstorms today, the combination of large scale forcing,
forecast surface based instability over 1000 J/Kg and curved
hodographs supports isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms
through this evening. The SPC maintains a Slight Risk across the
entire area with damaging winds as the main severe threat. An
isolated tornado and severe hail can't be ruled out. The moist air
mass will also lead to the risk of localized flooding across the
region. The greatest risk of flooding will likely be associated with
boundaries where storms can backbuild.

Coverage of showers and especially thunder will diminish by mid to
late evening with the loss of diurnal instability.

Key Message 2...Cool Wednesday, with a chance of a few lingering
showers and isolated thunderstorms.

The digging trough will briefly develop into a mid level closed low
over western Quebec Wednesday. Deep moisture will be east of the
area by Wednesday morning, but forcing for ascent from several
shortwaves rounding the base of the trough coupled with cool air
aloft will still support a few scattered showers through the day,
and possibly an isolated thunderstorm or two. Both intensity and
coverage will be far less than Tuesday.

Temperatures will be quite cool Wednesday, close to 10F below
average for mid summer. Highs will struggle to reach the lower 70s
for lower elevations, with mid 60s across higher terrain. Lows
Wednesday night will drop back into the 50s in most areas, with mid
40s for the Southern Tier valleys and Lewis County.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Rounds of showers and thunderstorms with reduced flight
conditions are expected through tonight, with improving
conditions late tonight through Wednesday. The first round of
showers and thunderstorms is expected to move into KIAG/KBUF
between 12-14z this morning before moving east across the
remainder of western NY through the early afternoon. An
additional area of showers and thunderstorms is expected to move
into the North Country/KART mid-morning through early
afternoon. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to
develop on boundaries through this evening, with low confidence
on the timing of thunderstorms.

There is a Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms through this evening.
Some thunderstorms are capable of strong wind gusts, large hail and
torrential rain. Both visibility and ceiling restrictions are
possible at times.

Breezy today with south-southwest wind gusts between 20-30 knots,
highest gusts are expected at KIAG/KBUF this afternoon.

Outlook...

Wednesday...Restrictions likely with lingering showers/isolated
thunderstorm.

Thursday and Saturday...Mainly VFR.

&&

.MARINE...
South-southwest winds will increase on the Lakes today while
gradually veering more to the southwest. Small Craft Advisory
conditions are expected on Lake Erie, the west end of Lake Ontario,
and northeast end of Lake Ontario where winds are the strongest. A
cold front will move across the lower Great Lakes Tuesday night.
West to west- northwest winds will increase late tonight and
Wednesday, especially on Lake Ontario with solid Small Craft
Advisory conditions.

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected from late
morning through evening Tuesday. A few storms may contain gusty
winds and locally higher waves.

&&

.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 9 PM EDT this
         evening for LEZ020.
         Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM this morning to midnight
         EDT tonight for LEZ040-041.
         Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 AM
         EDT Thursday for LOZ042.
         Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM EDT Thursday for LOZ045.

&&

DISCUSSION...Hitchcock/HSK
AVIATION...HSK
MARINE...HSK
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 2:34 AM EDT, 7 hours 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
234 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-220645-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
234 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Several rounds of showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected
from late morning through evening. A few storms may become severe,
with the primary risk being isolated damaging wind gusts. If a line
of storms develops, a longer lasting corridor of wind damage is
possible. There is a low risk of a few isolated tornadoes and
isolated large hail. Some storms may contain torrential downpours,
with low risk of localized flash flooding.

.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

LEZ020-040-041-LOZ030-042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-220645-
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-
234 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 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.

Several rounds of showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected
from late morning through evening. A few storms may become severe,
with the primary risk being localized gusty winds and higher waves.

.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

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 9:08 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFChautauqua67 min
Jul 21, 9:47 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF58 min
Jul 21, 11:17 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF38 min
Jul 21, 11:45 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans29 min
Jul 21, 1:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFJefferson, Lewis, Oswego28 min
Jul 21, 1:29 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF61 min
Jul 21, 2:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFErie, Niagara55 min
Jul 21, 2:58 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningBUFErie, Niagara5 hr
Jul 21, 5:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFChautauqua58 min
Jul 21, 5:41 PM EDTBeach Hazards StatementBUFCayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego and 1 more32 hr
Jul 21, 5:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFMonroe, Ontario, Wayne54 min
Jul 21, 6:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFGenesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wyoming76 min
Jul 21, 7:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFOntario31 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.