Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 80, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 21, 20264 counties in New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 21, 2026, 11:45 AM EDT for 4 counties in New York. It was in force for 29 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 21, 2026, 11:45 AM EDT (15:45 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 12:14 PM EDT
In force
29 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Erie County, NY, Genesee County, NY, Niagara County, NY, Orleans County, NY

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 34 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:46 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, 11:47 AM EDTTSTM WND DMGLockport, NYTree down with wires across roadway.
Jul 21, 12:07 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Se Medina, NYTree down blocking the east bound lane, just west of water works rd. Report relayed via social media.

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 2 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, 3.8 hours before the alert went out and 33 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.

224 
WUUS51 KBUF 211545
SVRBUF
NYC029-037-063-073-211630-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0080.260721T1545Z-260721T1630Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1145 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Erie County in western New York...
  Southeastern Niagara County in western New York...
  Orleans County in western New York...
  Northern Genesee County in western New York...

* Until 1230 PM EDT.

* At 1145 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Pendleton,
  or near Lockport, moving east at 55 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Lockport, Amherst, Medina, Albion, Williamsville, Pendleton, Akron,
  Byron, Middleport, and Oakfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4297 7878 4324 7879 4335 7826 4337 7800
      4304 7800
TIME...MOT...LOC 1545Z 256DEG 47KT 4308 7864 

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

$$

Hitchcock
2 follow-up statements
706 
WWUS51 KBUF 211609
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1209 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC029-063-211618-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0080.000000T0000Z-260721T1630Z/
Erie NY-Niagara NY-
1209 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN ERIE AND
SOUTHEASTERN NIAGARA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4300 7846 4316 7846 4330 7800 4304 7800
TIME...MOT...LOC 1608Z 258DEG 42KT 4309 7835 

$$

NYC037-073-211630-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0080.000000T0000Z-260721T1630Z/
Orleans NY-Genesee NY-
1209 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1230 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHERN ORLEANS AND NORTHERN GENESEE COUNTIES...

At 1208 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Oakfield, or 9
miles south of Medina, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Albion, Byron, Oakfield, Holley, Clarendon, Alabama, Elba, Fancher,
and Barre Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4300 7846 4316 7846 4330 7800 4304 7800
TIME...MOT...LOC 1608Z 258DEG 42KT 4309 7835 

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

$$

Hitchcock
171 
WWUS51 KBUF 211614
SVSBUF

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1214 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYC037-073-211624-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0080.000000T0000Z-260721T1630Z/
Orleans NY-Genesee NY-
1214 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN ORLEANS AND NORTHERN
GENESEE 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.

&&

LAT...LON 4300 7846 4316 7846 4330 7800 4304 7800
TIME...MOT...LOC 1609Z 256DEG 47KT 4311 7824 

$$

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, 5 hours 11 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, 5 hours 11 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, 9 hours 11 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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 10:57 AM EDT, 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1057 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

1040 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WNW Forestville       42.49N 79.24W
07/21/2026                   Chautauqua         NY   Law Enforcement

            Large tree down in the town of Sheridan.

&&

Hitchcock

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, 9:58 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBUFChautauqua46 min
Jul 21, 11:17 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningBUF38 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.