The day started with a very unstable air mass over the region but weak vertical shear. Extensive low-level stratus trapped beneath a 2,000 ft inversion kept low clouds around into early afternoon which, along with strong lake breeze off Lake Erie, tempered heating.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS BUF wrote it up.
The day started with a very unstable air mass over the region but weak vertical shear. Extensive low-level stratus trapped beneath a 2,000 ft inversion kept low clouds around into early afternoon which, along with strong lake breeze off Lake Erie, tempered heating. Heat index readings did reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit over Niagara and Orleans county toward Genesee River valley (less clouds), but they stayed lower than 95 degrees elsewhere. A mesoscale convective vortex moving in from northern lower Michigan and a well defined mesolow on radar brought a line of convection into the Niagara Peninsula around 12 PM. This convection reached the Niagara Frontier between 1 and 2 pm. While this more linear convection moved in, an additional isolated storm formed quickly farther east over Niagara county. Though shear was weak, strong instability led to the storm growing rapidly vertically. This storm produced wind damage with a tree down on house and multiple wires down. This isolated storm and the line of storms that moved into the Buffalo area then weakened while moving into rest of western New York toward 3 PM. As this occurred, generally non-severe convection developed over the Southern Tier.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 19, 11:51 AM EST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1251 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019
.SYNOPSIS...
Oppressive summer heat and humidity will build into the region
through the weekend. There will be a few brief rounds of showers and
thunderstorms, but the majority of the time will be rain free. A
cold front is expected to cross the area Sunday night, allowing for
a break from the heat and humidity by early next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
At this point, have left going forecast alone for most part. There
are some concerns though. First off, low clouds trapped beneath 2kft
inversion have become widespread this morning in this very humid
airmass. These low clouds should mix out once temps reach mid 80s,
but that may not be until early aftn. If the clouds persist later
into the aftn, we could fall short of at least meeting excessive
heat warning criteria (heat index of 105F) in some areas. Still time
to mix this out though and it will not take much sunshine at all to
boost temps/heat index values very quickly.
Of more concern though is well defined mesolow that has emerged from
daybreak convection over lower Michigan. Convection has a psuedo low
pressure look to it with expansion to the east (warm front) and
trailing line of convection (cold front). This convection is on edge
of strong instability with MUCAPES upward of 3000j/kg. 12z Detroit
sounding showed sharp capping layer at 750mb so that might explain
why, at least so far, the convection has not tried to build farther
south into the very unstable environment. Tracking this convection
east, it would arrive over far northern portions of the Niagara
Frontier sometime btwn 16z-18z/noon to 2 pm ET. Will also have to
watch for the homegrown convection along the edge of the Lake Erie
lake breeze as convective temps were only 88F on the BUF sounding
this morning. Some spots are not that far away from reaching that
mid morning, but the capping moving in may alter that convective
temp upward some. At the same time, though the EML moving in will
provide capping initially, it could also support more robust
updrafts by late today if forcing becomes strong enough to allow
ascending parcels to breach the cap. PWAT rises to around 2 inches
today, so any storms that develop will be capable of producing
torrential downpours. Deep layer shear is weak today, but just the
extent of instability progged today (MLCAPES 2500-3000 j/kg) could
lead to brief downburst winds in strongest most persistent storms.
Also, if the developing upstream convection grows upscale into a
cold pool forced MCS, a few storms with damaging winds cannot be
ruled out this afternoon and/or this evening across Western NY.
SO, a lot of moving parts for the forecast, and that is just into
this afternoon. Does appear that whatever convection occurs, either
advected in or developing in our area during peak heating, will move
out for the evening.
Lows tonight will be sultry, only in the mid to upper 70s on the
lake plains and lower 70s in the Southern Tier valleys and Lewis
County. The very warm and humid nighttime conditions will offer
little relief in buildings without air conditioning.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
The relief from the heat and humidity is not far away as a pair of
cold fronts approach western and north-central NY Saturday night.
Any showers and thunderstorms from Saturday afternoon will continue
to track east and weaken into Saturday evening. The first, nearly
west to east oriented cold front will approach the region from the
north Saturday evening. While daytime heating has come to an end, a
warm and humid airmass will remain across the region Saturday night.
Showers and thunderstorms are possible as the front sags slowly
southward. Due to the abundance of instability and low-level
convergence moving across, some storms may pose a risk of having
damaging winds and heavy rain into Sunday morning. Mild and humid
temperatures expected with overnight lows only dropping to the low
to mid 70s.
The relief from the humidity will be felt Sunday, first across the
North Country and by afternoon across portions of western NY. There
is discrepancy as to how fast the humid airmass/cold front leaves
western NY Sunday. Dewpoints will likely remain elevated, near 70
across the Southern Tier. While the cold front is south of the NY/PA
border, showers and thunderstorms are possible through the early
evening with the highest risk south of I-90. High temperatures will
reach the mid to upper 80s.
The second cold front should move through the region Sunday night.
An amplified shortwave trough will move across the Upper Great
Lakes. Low pressure will form near the Ohio Valley and along the
first cold front. The surface low will ride along the front and into
the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. The front may backbuild
slightly resulting in low chances of showers and thunderstorms
across western NY. Dry conditions should occur across the North
Country. Overnight lows will fall into the low to mid 60s.
Showers are likely across western and north-central NY as low
pressure moves to the south and east of the region. Models have been
trending closer and wetter with this system. At this time, light
rainfall amounts expected but if this trend continues more rainfall
is possible. A light north-northwest wind and mostly cloudy
conditions will lead to cooler conditions across western and north
central NY. Temperatures will reach the mid to upper 70s Monday. Dry
conditions expected Monday night with temperatures in the mid
50's to low 60's.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
A lingering mid and upper level trough will provide for the chance
of showers on Tuesday as an increased moisture flux and trough axis
pass through the area during this time. There is the potential for a
shortwave to pass through the area on Thursday providing the chance
for some showers and thunderstorms, but guidance is still split on
the timing and location for the potential for precip. The overall
pattern for this period will maintain a trough over the eastern half
of the country that will start to weaken and shift east late Friday
into the weekend.
Cooler than normal temperatures will continue through Wednesday with
highs in the low to mid 70s for most areas and a few upper 70s for
areas of the lake plains. A slight warming trend will begin for
Thursday and Friday when temperatures will increase closer to normal
with highs around 80 for most of the area.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A few rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible
through this evening, although timing and placement remain a
challenge. Initially we'll have to watch northern portions of the
Niagara Frontier for showers and storms that are moving east off of
Lake Huron toward the Niagara Peninsula. Additional storms could
develop this afternoon during peak heating from the Southern Tier
into the western Finger Lakes. Finally, additional convection that
develops upstream across southwest Ontario this afternoon may
approach and move into Western NY by this evening. After MVFR cigs
scatter out early this afternoon, CIGS/VSBY will be VFR the vast
majority of the time today and tonight, but any showers and storms
will produce local/brief MVFR to IFR conditions.
Outlook...
Saturday through Monday...Mainly VFR with a chance of a few brief
rounds of showers and thunderstorms with associated local MVFR to
IFR.
Tuesday...VFR conditions expected.
&&
.MARINE...
Southwest winds will increase to around 15 knots today, and again on
Saturday. This will produce choppy conditions at times especially on
Lake Erie, although winds and waves will likely remain below Small
Craft Advisory levels.
There will be a chance of a few scattered thunderstorms at times
today through the weekend. Any thunderstorm may produce locally
higher winds and waves.
&&
.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Heat Advisory until 6 PM EDT Saturday for NYZ006>008-010>012-
019>021-085.
Excessive Heat Warning until 6 PM EDT Saturday for NYZ001>005-
013-014.
MARINE...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Hitchcock/JLA
NEAR TERM...Hitchcock/JLA
SHORT TERM...HSK
LONG TERM...SW
AVIATION...Hitchcock/JLA
MARINE...HitchcockHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 500 AM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019 NYZ006>008-010>012-019>021-085-200900- Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Chautauqua- Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie- 500 AM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM EDT SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. Scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop this afternoon and evening. There is a marginal risk that a few of these storms may become severe, with the primary risk being localized damaging winds. Thunderstorms may also contain torrential downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. A few brief rounds of thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Sunday night. A few of these storms may be severe, with isolated damaging winds and torrential downpours. .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 NYZ001>005-013-014-200900- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Livingston-Ontario- 500 AM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019 ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM EDT SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Excessive Heat Warning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop this afternoon and evening. There is a marginal risk that a few of these storms may become severe, with the primary risk being localized damaging winds. Thunderstorms may also contain torrential downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Excessive Heat Warning. A few brief rounds of thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Sunday night. A few of these storms may be severe, with isolated damaging winds and torrential downpours. .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-SLZ022-024-200900- 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- 500 AM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019 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. Scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop this afternoon and evening. There is a marginal risk that a few of these storms may become severe, with the primary risk being localized strong winds and higher waves. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few brief rounds of thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Sunday night. A few of these storms may produce gusty winds and locally higher waves. .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 Hitchcock
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
105 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019
NYZ001-010-085-191830-
Southern Erie-Niagara-Northern Erie-
105 PM EDT Fri Jul 19 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
ERIE AND NIAGARA COUNTIES BY MID AFTERNOON...
At 1258 PM EDT, radar indicated strong to severe thunderstorms were
located over the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario along a line extending
from 35 miles northwest of Fort Niagara State Park to 47 miles west
of Youngstown. Movement was east at 50 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with these storms as they move
into the Niagara Frontier by 2 pm ET.
Locations impacted include...
Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Niagara Falls, West Seneca, North Tonawanda,
Clarence, Lockport, Lackawanna, Kenmore, Depew, Tonawanda, Amherst,
Lancaster, East Aurora, Williamsville, Grand Island, Elma, Newfane,
Pendleton and Marilla.
This includes Interstate 90 between exits 55 and 49.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4340 7864 4341 7844 4337 7844 4337 7846
4287 7846 4287 7849 4273 7846 4283 7893
4293 7891 4296 7893 4299 7901 4307 7901
4308 7907 4311 7906 4312 7907 4315 7904
4325 7906 4330 7909
TIME...MOT...LOC 1658Z 277DEG 43KT 4350 7969 4325 8000
JLAThe Buffalo radar (KBUF), 35 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:41 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree fell onto a house with multiple reports of wires down.
Trees and power lines down onto Kohler Street.
Trees were reported downed in Emlawn Memorial Park.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New York in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in New York, July 2019
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 846630, 846631, 846632.