Alert archive / New York / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 92, NWS Buffalo, NY
NWS Buffalo, NY issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 12, 2026, 6:17 PM EDT for Ontario County, New York. It was in force for 58 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
- Aug 12, 2026, 6:17 PM EDT (22:17 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 12, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 58 min
- Issued by
- NWS Buffalo, NY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Ontario County, NY
The radar
The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 107 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:19 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 6:25 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Bristol, NY | Tree down across entire Silvernail 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 one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 8 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, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 104 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 590 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -22 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 739 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 43 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 76 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 124 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.7
The text
As transmitted.
825
WUUS51 KBUF 122217
SVRBUF
NYC069-122315-
/O.NEW.KBUF.SV.W.0092.260812T2217Z-260812T2315Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
617 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Ontario County in western New York...
* Until 715 PM EDT.
* At 616 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Bloomfield,
or 11 miles west of Canandaigua, 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...
Geneva, Canandaigua, Bristol, Bloomfield, Rushville, Honeoye,
Gorham, East Bloomfield, West Bloomfield, and Holcomb.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
If on or near Canandaigua Lake, get away from the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
15 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4280 7759 4284 7759 4285 7758 4286 7755
4289 7756 4294 7752 4294 7748 4295 7748
4287 7698 4276 7697 4276 7731 4272 7735
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 289DEG 22KT 4287 7750
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
HSK4 follow-up statements
209
WWUS51 KBUF 122234
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
634 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
NYC069-122315-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260812T2315Z/
Ontario NY-
634 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL ONTARIO COUNTY...
At 634 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Bristol, or
near Canandaigua, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Geneva, Canandaigua, Bristol, Bloomfield, Rushville, Gorham, Seneca
Castle, Cheshire, Cottage City, and Bristol Mountain.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
If on or near Canandaigua Lake, get away from the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
15 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4277 7750 4294 7740 4287 7698 4276 7697
4276 7731 4272 7735
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 301DEG 23KT 4282 7736
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
HSK209
WWUS51 KBUF 122246
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
646 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
NYC069-122315-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260812T2315Z/
Ontario NY-
646 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL ONTARIO COUNTY...
At 646 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Rushville, or 8
miles south of Canandaigua, 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...
Geneva, Canandaigua, Rushville, Gorham, Seneca Castle, Cheshire,
Cottage City, Bristol Mountain, and Hall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
If on or near Canandaigua Lake, get away from the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
15 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4274 7741 4292 7729 4287 7698 4276 7697
4276 7731 4272 7735
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 286DEG 13KT 4277 7730
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
HSK342
WWUS51 KBUF 122257
SVSBUF
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
657 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
NYC069-122315-
/O.CON.KBUF.SV.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260812T2315Z/
Ontario NY-
657 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL ONTARIO COUNTY...
At 657 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Rushville, or 9
miles south of Canandaigua, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Geneva, Rushville, Gorham, Seneca Castle, and Hall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4290 7718 4287 7698 4276 7697 4276 7730
TIME...MOT...LOC 2257Z 283DEG 21KT 4276 7721
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
HSK980 WWUS51 KBUF 122313 SVSBUF Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Buffalo NY 713 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 NYC069-122322- /O.EXP.KBUF.SV.W.0092.000000T0000Z-260812T2315Z/ Ontario NY- 713 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ONTARIO COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM EDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Moderate rainfall is still possible over the next hour. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. && LAT...LON 4290 7718 4287 7698 4276 7697 4276 7730 TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 289DEG 22KT 4273 7710 $$ Thomas
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 Aug 12, 1:48 PM EDT, 4 hours 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening across western NY. A few storms may be severe with strong winds and hail. 2) Mostly dry weather late this week with showers and thunderstorms looking to return Sunday.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 1:48 PM EDT, 4 hours 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Buffalo NY 148 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... No major changes with this update. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening across western NY. A few storms may be severe with strong winds and hail. 2) Mostly dry weather late this week with showers and thunderstorms looking to return Sunday. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1...Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening across western NY. A few storms may be severe with strong winds and hail. Latest satellite and radar imagery showed widely scattered showers and thunderstorms developing across the Niagara Frontier around midday as well as across southwest ON ahead of enhanced northwest flow moving into the region. Initial storms in Niagara Co quickly dissipated over the lake modified air with southwest surface flow, but additional storms have begun developing farther east along the lake breeze boundary and subsequent outflows. Expecting an increase in storm coverage through this afternoon, especially further displaced from the lakes into the Finger Lakes region where MLCAPE has grow 1000-1500 J/kg. Outside of shallow low-level directional shear, hodographs are fairly unidirectional with effective shear 35-40 kt. This will be supportive of organized storm structures and splitting cells. Any discrete storms could be capable of producing large hail (1-1.25 inch), but the messy storm evolution will likely lead to strong winds and heavy rainfall being the primary threat. PWATs are in the 1.3 to 1.5" range, which is above-normal, but not excessively high. Looking farther southwest into Chautauqua Co, considerable cloud cover from upstream convection has overspread the western Southern Tier. Additionally, forecast soundings suggest the area is capped at the surface despite steep mid-level lapse rates near 7 degC/km. Any convection that develops mid-afternoon will likely be elevated or delayed until this evening with additional development in OH as the shortwave passes through. Hi-res ensemble guidance (HREF/REFS) suggest storm potential will continue into early this evening for the Niagara Frontier across to the northern Finger Lakes region. The western Southern Tier may see storms remain in the area through midnight. Lingering showers may remain into early Thursday morning before turning mostly dry throughout the remainder of the day as high pressure begins to build into the upper Great Lakes. Key Message 2...Mostly dry weather late this week with showers and thunderstorms looking to return Sunday. After mostly dry weather Friday and Saturday, a low pressure system will track across northern Ontario early Sunday with a trailing cold front that may bring the next round of showers and thunderstorms to western and north-central NY. The timing of this low is still quite uncertain owning to the ~50% PoPs lasting throughout much of the day. While the severe convective environment appears better farther south and west, latest model trends has begun to shift the axis of greater instability north into the western Southern Tier. Additionally, lingering upstream convection from Saturday night across the Midwest will be another factor. Afterwards, high pressure will build back into the Great Lakes with drier weather for early next week. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... A weak mid level shortwave passing through the northwest flow aloft will interact with moderate instability and lake breeze boundaries to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon through early to mid evening. The best coverage of showers and thunderstorms will be across Western NY and the Finger Lakes, with a smaller secondary area crossing the Saint Lawrence Valley. Any storms will be capable of brief/local IFR conditions, gusty winds, and small hail. Outside of thunderstorms, VFR will prevail in most areas with some MVFR CIGS across the higher terrain of the western Southern Tier. Tonight, scattered showers and thunderstorms in the early evening will diminish and mostly end by late evening with the loss of daytime heating. Overnight, areas of IFR in low stratus and fog will develop across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, with some VLIFR possible. Elsewhere, expect mainly VFR conditions for lower elevations and east of Lake Ontario. Thursday, a somewhat drier airmass will build into the eastern Great Lakes and allow for mainly dry weather to prevail. A few scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop across the Saint Lawrence valley in the afternoon and early evening in closer proximity to a deepening trough across Quebec. Areas of IFR in fog and low stratus across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes will dissipate by mid to late morning, with VFR elsewhere. Outlook... Friday through Saturday...Mainly VFR. Sunday...VFR/MVFR with showers and thunderstorms likely. Local/brief IFR possible in storms. Monday...Mainly VFR. A chance of a few lingering scattered showers. && .MARINE... An overall weak pressure gradient is expected to remain in place through the remainder of the work week, with no more than mainly light to gentle breezes expected, although a modest uptick in northerly flow later Thursday night into Friday may bring some light to moderate chop across Lake Ontario. Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening may produce strong winds and locally higher waves. && .BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NY...None. MARINE...None. && DISCUSSION...Brothers AVIATION...Hitchcock MARINE...Brothers/JM
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 1:52 PM EDT, 4 hours 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 152 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 NYZ001>005-010>014-019>021-085-131800- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Northern Erie-Genesee- Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany- Southern Erie- 152 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with damaging winds as the primary hazard, but hail and heavy rainfall are also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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 LEZ020-040-041-LOZ030-042>044-062>064-131800- 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 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- 152 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening with strong winds and locally higher waves as the primary hazards. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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 NYZ006>008-131800- Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis- 152 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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 LOZ045-065-SLZ022-024-131800- Lake Ontario nearshore waters from Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence River- 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- 152 PM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Ontario and Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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
The office that day
Everything else NWS Buffalo, NY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 1:26 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 50 min | |
| Aug 12, 1:42 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 81 min | |
| Aug 12, 4:06 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 29 min | |
| Aug 12, 6:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BUF | Livingston, Ontario | 51 min |
| Aug 12, 7:02 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | BUF | 118 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.