A cold front advanced slowly towards western New York in the afternoon and evening with convection focused along a pre-frontal trough and an outflow boundary ahead of the main cold front. Large scale support was weak, with the mid-level trough and upper level jet lagging well behind the cold front, which yielded the bulk of the large scale ascent above the cold, post-frontal air.
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.
A cold front advanced slowly towards western New York in the afternoon and evening with convection focused along a pre-frontal trough and an outflow boundary ahead of the main cold front. Large scale support was weak, with the mid-level trough and upper level jet lagging well behind the cold front, which yielded the bulk of the large scale ascent above the cold, post-frontal air. A broken line of convection developed over northern Ohio and lasted for a number of hours as it crossed northeast Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, and eventually entered western New York. A very narrow axis of modest instability developed just ahead of the line and advected east into western New York. Storms that fired harnessed this instability as it intersected the lake breeze boundary to the east of Lake Erie. This allowed for multiple bowing segments to form over the western Southern Tier. These cells eventually were able to move east of the lake breeze boundary and formed a quasi-linear convective system that advanced toward the Genesee Valley. Multiple reports of wind damage were received, and a NWS storm survey confirmed a tornado in the Town of Alexander in Genesee County.
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 Apr 25, 3:18 PM EST, 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Buffalo NY 418 PM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A slow moving cold front will make its way across the region tonight. This feature will be accompanied by several hours of rain...and for the western counties...possibly some gusty thunderstorms. It will turn notably cooler in the wake of the front for the remainder of the week...especially for Wednesday and Thursday when temperatures will not make it out of the 40s. There will even be some wet snow to mark the occasion. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... A cold front and shortwave aloft causing organized showers and some thunderstorms over western OH will arrive early this evening. Current timing has this more widespread area of showers with moderate rain reaching WNY 22z-24z/6-8PM then shifting to Genesee valley rest of the evening and crossing the Finger Lakes and North Country late evening through early overnight hours. Showers will then end late tonight all areas. 3hr rainfall with this swath of showers could exceed 0.25 inch with best chances for 0.25 to 0.5 inch over western NY toward Genesee valley. Suppose lingering instability and stronger 0-1km shear could support gusty winds as this initial swath of showers and embedded thunder moves into western NY with greatest chances across far southwest NYS where greatest instability will be at end of peak daytime heating. Overall this remains in line with the SPC forecast which highlights a marginal risk for severe weather roughly from the Genesee Valley westward. Patchy fog is likely east and northeast of the lakes tonight as the rain and moist air mass (dewpoints in the 50s) moves across the relatively cool lakes. This fog should not persist too long, mixing out by late tonight as drier air arrives from the northwest. Tuesday will be a transition day as a much cooler airmass moves into the eastern Great Lakes region. The cold front will be east of the region Tuesday morning and gradual cold air advection will take place through the day. Drier air will keep a majority of the region dry Tuesday with temperatures climbing to the low to mid 50s. A few rain showers are possible across the Niagara Frontier into Rochester Metro mid to late afternoon as another cold front approaches western NY. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... Much colder air will filter into the region as an upper level low over the central Great Lakes tracks into northern New England Tuesday night and Wednesday. The cold front will continue to track east across the region Tuesday night and rain showers will expand in coverage across western NY while transitioning to snow showers. Temperatures at H850 will fall to around -10C by daybreak Wednesday and snow showers will become enhanced east- southeast of the Lakes through Wednesday morning. The low level wind flow teeters on west-northwest late Tuesday night through Wednesday. Chilly Wednesday with wind chills in the 20s to low 30s. Most of the activity will be across western NY Tuesday night into Wednesday with increasing showers on the higher terrain east of Lake Erie. This is the best chance to see an inch of snow accumulation with a few spots possibly picking up 1-2" through Wednesday morning. Elsewhere across western NY, a dusting to up to an inch is possible late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Snow showers will be confined southeast of both Lakes into Wednesday afternoon. Little to no accumulation is expected from mid-morning through the afternoon due to the decreasing intensity of showers and late April sun angle. The upper level low will move over Vermont by Wednesday afternoon. Daytime heating will result in high temperatures reaching the upper 30s across the higher terrain and the low 40s elsewhere. Lingering moisture across the eastern Great Lakes will keep a mix of rain and snow showers across the the region into Wednesday evening. An increase in shower coverage is expected across the North Country as a trough axis approaches the region. A mix of rain and snow showers are expected with little to no accumulation. Showers come to an end Wednesday night and dry conditions will continue through Thursday night. Much below normal temperatures expected Tuesday night through Thursday night. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... An upper level ridge will build across our region to start this period...this squeezed between an upper level low over Atlantic Canada, and shortwave trough of low pressure over the Plains. This will bring fair weather, bright sunny skies and a moderating airmass. Cannot rule out some clouds brushing by the North Country Friday and Saturday as moisture from the Atlantic Canada low bulges westward. This Plains shortwave will crest and weaken this upper level ridge...and bring chances for rain showers the final 24 to 30 hours of this forecast period. The warmest day this period will likely be Monday, behind the ridge axis and within warm air advecting northward ahead of the shortwave. && .AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... VFR conditions through 22z...although an area of showers will be found between KROC and KFZY. While VFR conditions will be in place this evening for most areas... a large swath of moderately heavy showers and possible thunderstorms will cross the region from west to east...starting around 22z. As the unsettled weather moves through...it will be accompanied by several hours of IFR to MVFR conditions. Widespread MVFR cigs will be in place throughout the region to start the day Tuesday. These cigs will rise to VFR levels around 12z in the far west...by about 15z in the Finger Lakes region and during the course of the afternoon for the Eastern Lake Ontario region. Outlook... Tuesday...Mainly VFR. Wednesday...VFR to MVFR. Chance of showers, mixed with snow across higher terrain. Thursday through Saturday...Mainly VFR. && .MARINE... A line of showers and thunderstorms over western Lake Erie late this afternoon will gradually push up the lake during the remaining daylight hours. These storms could warrant the need for special marine warnings on Lake Erie (BUF Harbor) before 00z. Otherwise... A slow moving cold front will cross the Lower Great Lakes during the first half of tonight. While it will be unsettled with widespread showers and even a thunderstorm risk (esp Lk Erie before 00z)...only gentle to moderate breezes are expected. This will likely produce some choppy water on Lake Ontario north of Mexico Bay to the St Lawrence river. In the wake of the cold front...gentle to moderate breezes and generally negligible waves will be found throughout the Lower Great Lakes on Tuesday. Choppy water is again likely north of Mexico Bay. An upper level disturbance will cross the region Tuesday night... likely producing rain and wet snow showers over Lake Erie. Moderate west to northwesterlies will accompany the passage of this feature. Northwest winds will freshen in the wake of the upper level feature on Wednesday. This will very likely lead to the next round of small craft advisories...mainly on Lake Ontario west of Mexico Bay. && .BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NY...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...Apffel NEAR TERM...HSK/JLA SHORT TERM...HSK LONG TERM...Thomas AVIATION...RSH MARINE...RSH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 514 AM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 NYZ001>003-010>013-019>021-085-260900- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston- Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie- 514 AM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western New York. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There's small chance that thunderstorms will produce strong gusty winds late this afternoon through early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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 NYZ004>008-014-260900- Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-Ontario- 514 AM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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-LOZ030-260900- 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- 514 AM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There's a small chance that thunderstorms will produce strong gusty winds late this afternoon through early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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 LOZ042>045-062>065-SLZ022-024-260900- 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- 514 AM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Ontario and Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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 Apffel
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Buffalo NY 346 PM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 NYZ010-252245- Northern Erie- Including the city of Buffalo 346 PM EDT Mon Apr 25 2022 ...PATCHY DENSE FOG NEAR LAKE ERIE... Patchy dense fog will continue through late afternoon along the immediate Lake Erie shore, including the lakeshore of Downtown Buffalo. Visibility will be reduced to a quarter mile at times, including along Interstate 190 from the 198 to downtown, and along the Skyway. Motorists should be alert for rapid changes in visibility along the Lake Erie shore. Hitchcock
The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:00 UTC.
16 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees and powerlines were reported to be down.
Trees were down across Titus Road.
A tree and wires were down across Route 430.
A large conifer tree was down across both lanes of Route 430.
A tree and wires were down at Thum Road and Bayview Road.
Trees and powerlines were reported to be down.
A tree and powerlines were down on Leon Road.
An NWS storm survey team found that a tornado initially touched down just north of the Alexander Fire Department and Recreational Hall with damage to the roof of a pavilion. A nearby building had its metal roof peeled back and a trailer, with some supporting anchor braces, was rolled over on its side. The tornado continued east-northeast snapping numerous trees in a wooded area just to the west of NYS Route 98/Alexander Road. The tornado then removed shingles and shattered windows to residences along Alexander Road then produced tree damage in a convergent pattern to the east just before crossing Tonawanda Creek. Finally, the tornado crossed a field before snapping two very large trees at the Alexander Cemetery and an adjacent commercial building. This is where the tornado damage ended.
Trees and limbs down across Route 98.
Trees were reported down.
Road signs were blown down on I-390 at exit 7.
A large tree was down across Maxwell Station Road.
Trees and powerlines were reported to be down on Frost Avenue.
Trees and powerlines were reported to be down on Hawthorne Street.
Numerous large tree limbs and powerlines were reported to be down.
Trees and powerlines were reported to be down at Golf Avenue and Marsh Road.
Trees and powerlines were reported to be down and blocking a road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in New York in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for New York, 2022Warnings in New York, April 2022
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: 1023264, 1023265, 1023266, 1023267, 1023268, 1023269, 1023270, 1023263, 1023271, 1023272, 1023273, 1023274, 1023275, 1023276, 1023277, 1023278, 1023279.