Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 84, NWS Buffalo, NY

July 21, 2026Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 21, 2026, 5:51 PM EDT for Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, New York. It was in force for 54 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, 5:51 PM EDT (21:51 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT
In force
54 min
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

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

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 122 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:54 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, 5:53 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG4 S Gates-North Gates, NYTree down on power wires near Chili. Time estimated based on radar.

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 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, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 119 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°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 2026-07-21The 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.

625 
WUUS51 KBUF 212151
SVRBUF
NYC055-069-117-212245-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0084.260721T2151Z-260721T2245Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a

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

* Until 645 PM EDT.

* At 551 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Brighton,
  moving east at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Locations impacted include...
  Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit, East Rochester, Webster, Fairport,
  Brighton, Gates-North Gates, Ontario, and Henrietta.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 390 near exit 12.
 Interstate 90 between exits 44 and 46.

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 4301 7773 4321 7774 4328 7680 4302 7680
      4301 7696 4298 7697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 267DEG 31KT 4313 7764 

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

$$

Fries
2 follow-up statements
096 
WWUS51 KBUF 212223
SVSBUF

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

NYC055-212232-
/O.CAN.KBUF.SV.W.0084.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Monroe NY-
623 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MONROE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. Another 
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the southern 
portion of the county through 730 PM.

&&

LAT...LON 4300 7736 4324 7737 4328 7680 4302 7680
      4301 7696 4298 7697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 267DEG 31KT 4314 7727 

$$

NYC069-117-212245-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0084.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Wayne NY-Ontario NY-
623 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT
FOR WAYNE AND NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO COUNTIES...

At 622 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Marion, or 9
miles southeast of Webster, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Ontario, Newark, Williamson, Marion, Lyons, Palmyra, Clyde, Sodus,
Chimney Bluffs State Park, and Walworth.

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 4300 7736 4324 7737 4328 7680 4302 7680
      4301 7696 4298 7697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 267DEG 31KT 4314 7727 

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

$$

Fries
603 
WWUS51 KBUF 212239
SVSBUF

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

NYC069-117-212248-
/O.EXP.KBUF.SV.W.0084.000000T0000Z-260721T2245Z/
Wayne NY-Ontario NY-
639 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WAYNE AND NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO
COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 645 PM EDT...

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 will be allowed to expire.

&&

LAT...LON 4300 7736 4324 7737 4328 7680 4302 7680
      4301 7696 4298 7697
TIME...MOT...LOC 2238Z 267DEG 31KT 4315 7710 

$$

Fries

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, 1:22 PM EDT, 4 hours 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms continue through this evening with strong winds as the main hazard. 2) Cool Wednesday, with a chance of lingering showers ahead of a gradual warm up through the remainder of the week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 1:22 PM EDT, 4 hours 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
122 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms continue through this
evening with strong winds as the main hazard.

2) Cool Wednesday, with a chance of lingering showers ahead of
a gradual warm up through the remainder of the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Key Message 1...Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms continue
through this evening with strong winds as the main hazard.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms early this afternoon have spread
across the Lake Ontario region on both sides of the international
border associated with a compact shortwave noted on GOES WV imagery
lifting just north of Toronto. This is all while earlier storms
across the Southern Tier outran the axis of strongest instability
leading to a swath of stratiform precipitation lingering.
Regardless, severe thunderstorms were still observed this morning
with gusty winds leading to downed trees and small hail reported.
Clearing skies moving into western NY early this afternoon per GOES
satellite imagery will help potentially refuel the atmosphere for
the next round of strong to severe thunderstorms.

Ongoing development in eastern MI and southwestern ON within an area
of 2000 J/kg of MLCAPE and 40 kt of bulk shear closer to the cold
front will be worth monitoring as it moves east towards western NY
later this afternoon into early this evening. Additionally,
southwestward expansion of the ongoing convection near Toronto along
the prefrontal trough associated with the aforementioned
shortwave will also need close monitoring as atmospheric
destabilization continues. These storms will progress eastward
across western and north-central NY through the afternoon and
evening.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall will continue to be the primary
hazard with these storms. PWAT value reported from the KBUF 12z
sounding was 1.50" and warm cloud depths exceed 10 kft. However,
fast storm motions and line normal motions, as observed with earlier
storms, would limit heavy rainfall durations. Additionally, the
highest DCAPE values remain in southwestern ON and will be less than
what was analyzed earlier across the Niagara Frontier around the
time of severe wind damage reported.

Headed into late this evening, lingering showers and a few rumbles
of thunder may continue until the cold front passes through western
NY around midnight and early Wednesday morning for north-central NY.

Key Message 2...Cool Wednesday, with a chance of lingering
showers ahead of a gradual warm up through the remainder of the
week.

Cooler weather is expected Wednesday as the upper level low begins
to exit to the northeast. With 850mb temps dropping around 6-8 degC,
afternoon highs will struggle to reach 70 degF as most locations
will be around 10 degF below normal for late July. Additionally, a
secondary shortwave will round the backside of the departing low,
supporting scattered showers along with the cooler air aloft and
steep low-level lapse rates extending inland from the lakes under
west-northwest flow. High pressure will begin to build into the
lower Great Lakes late Wednesday through the remainder of the week
leading to drier weather and gradually warming temperatures
back towards slightly above normal this weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue this
afternoon and into this evening with the passage of both a warm
front lifting north, followed by a cold front sliding east. This
being said, a conglomeration of flight conditions will continue
through this evening, with an improving trend overnight into
Wednesday. From the round of showers that just impacted the western
3 terminals (KIAG, KBUF and KJHW), expect these showers and embedded
thunderstorms continue east into KROC within the hour, and reach
KART a couple of hours later. Another line of showers is on our
western doorstep as of 17Z, which will bring more showers and
thunder early this afternoon. Additional, showers are then expected
late this afternoon and into the evening with the arrival of the
cold front.

This all being said, there is a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms
through this evening, where some of the thunderstorms will be
capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and torrential
rain. Both visibilities and ceilings restrictions can be possible
at times.

Otherwise, ahead of the cold frontal passage's arrival it will be
breezy, with a 20-30 knot south-southwest wind gusts, especially for
KIAG and KBUF this afternoon.

Outlook...

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

Thursday through Saturday...Mainly VFR.

Sunday...VFR/MVFR with a chance for showers/thunderstorms in the
afternoon.

&&

.MARINE...
Southwest winds gusting around 30 kt over Lake Erie and western Lake
Ontario will continue through this afternoon while winds over
eastern Lake Ontario will veer to the southwest. Showers and
thunderstorms will continue throughout the day with multiple rounds
ahead of a cold frontal passage late tonight. Behind the front,
winds will turn to be out of the west-northwest and increase once
again, especially across Lake Ontario, headed into Wednesday. Small
Craft Advisory continues for Lake Erie through tonight and for
portions of Lake Ontario through Wednesday evening. Calmer waters
are expected late this week into early this weekend as high pressure
builds into the lower Great Lakes.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Brothers
AVIATION...EAJ
MARINE...Brothers
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 1:28 PM EDT, 4 hours 23 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
128 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-221730-
Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie-
128 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are expected
through this evening. Strong winds are the primary hazard while heavy
rainfall may lead to localized 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-SLZ022-024-221730-
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-
128 PM 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...This afternoon and tonight.

Multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are expected
through this evening. Strong winds are the primary hazard resulting
in 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, 12:26 PM EDT, 5 hours 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1226 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

1147 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Lockport                43.17N 78.70W
07/21/2026                   Niagara            NY   911 Call Center

            Tree down with wires across roadway.

&&

EAJ
Local storm report, Jul 21, 1:30 PM EDT, 4 hours 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
130 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

1207 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SE Medina             43.21N 78.37W
07/21/2026                   Orleans            NY   Public

            Tree down blocking the east bound lane, just
            west of water works rd. Report relayed via
            social media.

&&

SGK
Local storm report, Jul 21, 1:46 PM EDT, 4 hours 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
146 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

1046 AM     Lightning        4 NW Rushford           42.44N 78.30W
07/21/2026                   Allegany           NY   911 Call Center

            Barn on fire due to being struck by
            lightning on State Route 243.

&&

EAJ
Local storm report, Jul 21, 3:46 PM EDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
346 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0224 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Niagara Falls       43.09N 79.05W
07/21/2026                   Niagara            NY   911 Call Center

            Numerous trees down in the city of Niagara
            Falls. Time estimated based on radar.

0227 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WNW Ransomville       43.25N 78.96W
07/21/2026                   Niagara            NY   911 Call Center

            Trees down in Porter. Time estimated based
            on radar.

0241 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Cambria Center          43.18N 78.82W
07/21/2026                   Niagara            NY   911 Call Center

            Trees and power lines down in Cambria. Time
            estimated based on radar.

&&

MB
Local storm report, Jul 21, 4:52 PM EDT, 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
452 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0247 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NNW North Tonawanda   43.06N 78.88W
07/21/2026                   Niagara            NY   911 Call Center

            Report of tree on home. Time estimated based
            on radar.

&&

MB
Local storm report, Jul 21, 5:08 PM EDT, 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
508 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0342 PM     Flash Flood      3 NW Niagara Falls      43.12N 79.05W
07/21/2026                   Niagara            NY   Public

            Received report on Facebook of water rescue
            with photo of vehicle stuck in flood waters
            on College Avenue.

&&

MB

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, 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, 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.