Alert archive / New York / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 4, NWS New York, NY
NWS New York, NY issued this tornado warning at Aug 20, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT for Nassau County, Queens County, New York. It was in force for 8 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 20, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT (22:44 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 20, 2026, 6:52 PM EDT
- In force
- 8 min
- Issued by
- NWS New York, NY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Nassau County, NY, Queens County, NY
The radar
The Brookhaven radar (KOKX), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:44 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.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 3 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
Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 80 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1229 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 37 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -27 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 21 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
353
WFUS51 KOKX 202244
TOROKX
NYC059-081-202315-
/O.NEW.KOKX.TO.W.0004.260820T2244Z-260820T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service New York NY
644 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
The National Weather Service in Upton NY has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Queens County in southeastern New York...
Southwestern Nassau County in southeastern New York...
* Until 715 PM EDT.
* At 644 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Rockaway Beach, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Cedarhurst around 650 PM EDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Motorists should not take shelter under highway overpasses. If you
cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, either
park your vehicle and stay put, or abandon your vehicle and lie down
in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4059 7377 4059 7379 4064 7374 4061 7370
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 232DEG 20KT 4060 7377
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
BR1 follow-up statement
073 WWUS51 KOKX 202252 SVSOKX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service New York NY 652 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 NYC059-081-202302- /O.CAN.KOKX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260820T2315Z/ Queens NY-Nassau NY- 652 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR QUEENS AND SOUTHWESTERN NASSAU COUNTIES IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. && LAT...LON 4059 7377 4059 7379 4064 7374 4061 7370 TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 232DEG 20KT 4063 7372 $$ BR
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS New York, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 20, 4:41 PM EDT, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Showers and a few thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall and increasing potential for flash flooding late this afternoon into a portion of tonight. 2) Unsettled conditions may continue across eastern half of the area on Friday. 3) Additional showers are expected Saturday into Sunday, but impacts appear limited at this time. 4) Dry and seasonably warm early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 20, 4:41 PM EDT, 2 hours 3 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New York NY
441 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
The Flood Watch has been expanded to include Rockland, N
Westchester, and Fairfield.
WPC upgraded portions of NE NJ and the NYC metro to a moderate
risk (Level 3/4) for excessive rainfall and expanded the slight
risk (Level 2/4) a bit further NE.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Showers and a few thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall and
increasing potential for flash flooding late this afternoon into
a portion of tonight.
2) Unsettled conditions may continue across eastern half of the
area on Friday.
3) Additional showers are expected Saturday into Sunday, but
impacts appear limited at this time.
4) Dry and seasonably warm early next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
.KEY MESSAGE 1...
Confidence is increasing that flash flooding will occur across
portions of the area late this afternoon into the evening.
Guidance has remained fairly steady in signaling a period of
heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms late this afternoon
into the evening.
A nearly stationary frontal boundary will be draped across the
area as an MCV currently across western PA approaches. The MCV
will interact with this boundary, afternoon sea breezes, and a
high PWAT airmass to develop heavy showers and embedded
thunderstorms from late this afternoon into the evening. There
will also be an amplifying upper jet streak across northern New
England. The upper jet quite strong for this time of year and
the region will lie in the favorable right entrance region,
which will supply large scale lift to the MCV. Despite
instability being maximized to our south and west, conditions
are favorable for convection and resulting flash flooding. These
ingredients will interact with PWATs of 2+ inches, and deep
warm cloud layer approaching 15kft supporting scattered to
numerous occurrences of flash flooding.
Peak hourly rainfall rates could reach 2-2.5 inches per hour in
the heaviest downpours. There is still a signal in the latest
HREF for potential of 3 inches in 3 hours, which has been
typically an indicator of flash flooding in the past. Average
QPF looks to have increased a bit further inland, but still
around 1.5 to 2.5 inches expected with locally higher amounts of
3 to 5 inches possible.
The most favorable region for numerous instances of flash
flooding appears to be the urban corridor of NE NJ and NYC
metro. This is where WPC has placed a moderate risk for
excessive rainfall (Level 3/4). A slight risk exists most
elsewhere (Level 2/4) However, flash flooding may occur into the
Lower Hudson Valley, especially in more prone areas of Rockland
and Westchester counties. There is also concern into southwest
CT this evening. For these reasons, have expanded the flood
watch to include Rockland, Westchester, and Fairfield.
The watch continues until 2am Friday morning. Some of the NE NJ
and NYC areas could be removed from the watch a bit sooner as
the axis of showers shifts to the east. There is some concern
for lingering showers through the night across Long Island and
southern CT as a surface wave may meander nearby. Heavy rainfall
should diminish in coverage, but some isolated downpours cannot
be ruled out on eastern Long Island and SE CT early Friday. Did
not expand the watch further east as rainfall rates should come
down from what is expected this evening.
The greatest severe thunderstorm threat remains to our south and
west. Still cannot completely rule out an isolated damaging wind
gust and isolated tornado across NE NJ and NYC metro area as
there is fairly strong low level shear. The location of the
surface boundary and sea breeze interactions will have to be
monitored.
.KEY MESSAGE 2...
Guidance is struggling with the handling of a weak surface low
on Friday. There are two solutions with one being
progressive/weaker, which would lead to mostly dry conditions on
Friday areawide. The other solution is for the wave to linger
near or just south of central/eastern Long Island. This solution
would support low clouds, patchy fog, and potential light
showers at times on Friday. Given the higher than normal
uncertainty in just a days time, have continued with the NBM
model consensus, which results in a chance of showers across the
eastern half of the area along with mostly cloudy conditions
through the day.
.KEY MESSAGE 3...
Guidance is coming into somewhat better agreement for the
upcoming weekend. Another amplifying mid-upper trough approaches
Saturday and will deepen through Sunday. The approaching trough
along with a warm front lifting towards the area supports
potential shower development on Saturday. Guidance has trended
slightly slower with the timing and the highest probabilities
may end up closer to the coast, which is near the potential
location of the surface boundary. The trailing cold front
follows at some point on Sunday with additional chances for
showers, possibly a thunderstorm. At this time, impacts appear
limited, but WPC has maintained a marginal risk (level 1/4) for
excessive rainfall on Saturday. CIPS and CSU MLP continue to
hint at a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms Sunday, but it
is still too far out for any specifics.
.KEY MESSAGE 4...
Upper troughing will linger over the northeast early next week,
but the trailing cold front from the weekend system should be
pushing offshore. The current expectation is for improving
conditions with dry weather and seasonably warm temperatures
early next week.
&&
.AVIATION /21Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
A cold front approaches the terminals later today, with an
associated wave of low pressure forming along it. The front and
low pressure will move east of the region late tonight.
VFR conditions until mid to late this afternoon. Showers and
thunderstorms are moving in from the south and west and bring
periods of MVFR to IFR conditions along with the potential for
heavy rainfall. MVFR conditions are likely through tonight,
with an improvement back to VFR Friday morning.
Winds during the TAF period will be less than 10 kts but direction
will be quite variable. Low confidence with the wind direction
forecast. Towards end of TAF period, a general more northeast
to north flow is forecast.
NY Metro (KEWR/KLGA/KJFK/KTEB) TAF Uncertainty...
Amendments possible to refine timing of showers/thunderstorms, which
could be 1-2 hours off from TAF.
Amendments possible for the timing of IFR and MVFR, which could be a
few hours off from TAF.
.OUTLOOK FOR 18Z FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY...
Friday: Mainly VFR. A few showers and MVFR possible during the day.
Higher chances of showers and MVFR late at night.
Saturday: Showers likely. Possible thunderstorms. MVFR to IFR
at times.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Possible thunderstorms. Chance of MVFR
or lower at times.
Monday and Tuesday: VFR.
Detailed information, including hourly TAF wind component forecasts,
can be found at: https:/www.weather.gov/zny/n90
&&
.MARINE...
Conditions should largely remain below SCA levels through early next
week. There could be isolated gusts up to 25 kt this evening as a
wave of low pressure develops, mainly on the ocean. Otherwise,
gusts should remain 20 kt or less through the weekend. A weak
pressure gradient should prevail early next week.
Rip Currents: The rip current risk remains low through this evening.
The rip current risk increases to moderate on Friday and will remain
moderate on Saturday. While winds will be NE-E, a wave of low
pressure may bring a swell component with 3 ft seas.
&&
.OKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Friday for CTZ005-009.
NY...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Friday for NYZ069>075-078-080-
176>179.
NJ...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Friday for NJZ002-004-006-103>108.
MARINE...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...DS
AVIATION...BC
MARINE...DSHazardous weather outlook, Aug 20, 1:27 PM EDT, 5 hours 17 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service New York NY 127 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 CTZ005-009-NJZ002-004-006-103>108-NYZ069>075-078-080-176>179-211730- Northern Fairfield-Southern Fairfield-Western Passaic- Eastern Passaic-Hudson-Western Bergen-Eastern Bergen-Western Essex- Eastern Essex-Western Union-Eastern Union-Rockland- Northern Westchester-Southern Westchester-New York (Manhattan)-Bronx- Richmond (Staten Island)-Kings (Brooklyn)-Northwest Suffolk- Southwest Suffolk-Northern Queens-Northern Nassau-Southern Queens- Southern Nassau- 127 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey and southeast New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time that would meet NWS warning criteria. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. CTZ010-011-NYZ079-081-211730- Southern New Haven-Southern Middlesex-Northeast Suffolk- Southeast Suffolk- 127 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Connecticut and southeast New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Showers and a few thunderstorms are expected to move through the area this evening. A period of heavy rainfall is possible. At this time flash flooding is not expected, but can not be completely ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time that would meet NWS warning criteria. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. CTZ006>008-012-NYZ067-068-211730- Northern New Haven-Northern Middlesex-Northern New London- Southern New London-Orange-Putnam- 127 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Connecticut and southeast New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time that would meet NWS warning criteria. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria. ANZ331-332-335-338-340-345-350-353-355-380-383-385-211730- Long Island Sound East of New Haven CT/Port Jefferson NY to the Mouth of the Connecticut River- Long Island Sound East of the Mouth of the Connecticut River- Long Island Sound West of New Haven CT/Port Jefferson NY- New York Harbor-Peconic and Gardiners Bays- South Shore Bays from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay- Moriches Inlet NY to Montauk Point NY out 20 NM- Fire Island Inlet NY to Moriches Inlet NY out 20 NM- Sandy Hook NJ to Fire Island Inlet NY out 20 NM- Waters from Moriches Inlet NY to Montauk Point NY from 20 to 60 nm- Waters from Fire Island Inlet NY to Moriches Inlet NY from 20 to 60 nm- Waters from Sandy Hook NJ to Fire Island Inlet NY from 20 to 60 nm- 127 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time that would meet NWS warning criteria. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. && This Hazardous Weather Outlook provides a summary of potential widespread hazardous weather events that may reach NWS warning criteria. Most long fused NWS watches, warnings, and advisories in effect are highlighted. Please refer to the latest NWS forecasts for weather not meeting NWS warning criteria.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 20, 6:17 PM EDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New York NY
617 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0613 PM Flash Flood Harrison 40.74N 74.16W
08/20/2026 Hudson NJ CO-OP Observer
Water rescues being conducted.
&&Local storm report, Aug 20, 6:32 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New York NY
632 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0621 PM Flash Flood 1 NNW Teterboro Airport 40.87N 74.06W
08/20/2026 Bergen NJ Newspaper
Flooding on US 1&9/Tonnelle Avenue
Northbound South of Secaucus Rd, 1 right
lane of 2 lanes closed. Reported by
511nj.org.
&&Local storm report, Aug 20, 6:35 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service New York NY
635 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0625 PM Flash Flood 1 NNW Teterboro Airport 40.87N 74.06W
08/20/2026 Bergen NJ Newspaper
Flooding on NJ 17 Both Directions North of
US 46. All lanes closed southbound. Reported
by 511nj.org.
&&Local storm report, Aug 20, 6:38 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New York NY
638 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0621 PM Flash Flood East Newark 40.75N 74.17W
08/20/2026 Essex NJ Newspaper
Flooding on US 1&9/Tonnelle Avenue
Northbound South of Secaucus Rd. 1 right
lane of 2 lanes closed. Reported by
511nj.org.
&&Local storm report, Aug 20, 6:40 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service New York NY
640 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0550 PM Flash Flood 1 SSW Clifton 40.85N 74.17W
08/20/2026 Passaic NJ Broadcast Media
Corrects previous flash flood report from 1
SSW Clifton. Flooding on NJ 3 Westbound East
of Garden State Parkway, 2 left lanes of 3
lanes closed. Reported by 511nj.org.
&&Local storm report, Aug 20, 6:41 PM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service New York NY
641 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0625 PM Flash Flood 1 NNW Teterboro Airport 40.87N 74.06W
08/20/2026 Bergen NJ Broadcast Media
Corrects previous flash flood report from 1
NNW Teterboro Airport. Flooding on NJ 17
Both Directions North of US 46. All lanes
closed southbound. Reported by 511nj.org.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS New York, NY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2:38 AM EDT | Flood Watch | OKX | Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond and 3 more | 19 hr |
| Aug 20, 4:53 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | OKX | Richmond, Rockland | 52 min |
| Aug 20, 5:30 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OKX | Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond and 1 more | 2 hr |
| Aug 20, 5:39 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | OKX | Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond | 2 hr |
| Aug 20, 5:55 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | OKX | 65 min | |
| Aug 20, 6:13 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | OKX | Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens | 2 hr |
| Aug 20, 6:27 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | OKX | 63 min | |
| Aug 20, 6:49 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | OKX | Nassau | 8 min |
| Aug 20, 6:56 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OKX | Suffolk | 4 hr |
| Aug 20, 7:47 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | OKX | 58 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in New York, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.