Cold and unstable air flowed southward into the region with the first push of Canadian air of the season into western New York. This resulted in a broad pool of mid-level cold air pushing over the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes.
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.
Cold and unstable air flowed southward into the region with the first push of Canadian air of the season into western New York. This resulted in a broad pool of mid-level cold air pushing over the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes. Due to the shear profile, thunderstorms developed over the Great Lakes and resulted in isolated waterspouts. Further, during and subsequent to peak daytime heating, there was enough instability and shear to result in a few damaging wind gusts.
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 Sep 21, 10:09 PM EST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1109 PM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong cold front will slowly cross the region overnight...and
this will produce a round of heavy showers and possibly some strong
thunderstorms in the process. Notably cooler air will overspread our
forecast area in its wake...perfectly timing the start of Fall with
temperatures that will be well below normal through Friday night. In
fact...the chillier air will support some lake effect rain
showers...and possibly some frost Friday night east of Lake Ontario.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
A potent cold front over the northwest corner of Lake Ontario at 03z
will slowly make its way through our forecast area overnight. An
unstable environment with increasingly favorable shear for organized
convection awaits this front. Heavy showers and possibly some strong
to severe thunderstorms will be the result...with the highest
probability for the very unsettled weather through 07z. The greatest
risk with any thunderstorms will be heavy rain and localized strong
wind gusts in excess of 40 mph.
In the wake of the front...notably colder air will charge into the
region. H85 temps that are in the upper teens C as of the writing of
this discussion will plummet to around 5c by daybreak. This will be
more than enough to establish lake induced instability with some
lake driven showers southeast of the lakes as we start the day on
Thursday.
As for Thursday itself...it will be a very cool day as gusty
northwest winds will continue to support continued cold advection
with H85 temps falling to 0 to -2c. Again..perfect timing for the
official start of Autumn...which will be at 903 PM. Most areas will
experience their high temperatures during the morning of midday with
slowly falling mercury readings during the afternoon. While a chilly
cyclonic flow aloft will favor more lake induced showers...a greater
force behind the likelihood for more showers will be a strong
shortwave that will push a secondary cold front through the region.
A second shortwave will swing through the region Thursday night...as
mainly cloudy skies will yield more showers...mainly during the
first half of the night. Fortunately...the wealth of cloud cover and
a steady 10 to 15 kt wind SHOULD help to stave off the threat of
frost in the Southern Tier and North Country...despite min
temperatures in the mid to upper 30s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Any lake effect rain showers will end Friday morning. Cool Friday
with highs in the mid to upper 50s. The surface high moves to the
south Friday night. This will be the coldest night thus far this
season with lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Some locations in
the western Southern Tier and Tug Hill region may see temperatures
in the mid 30s and patchy frost is possible especially for sheltered
valleys.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Dry weather continues Saturday through Saturday night. Temperatures
increase slightly however temperatures remain below normal. A large,
deepening trough over the Upper Great Lakes and southern Ontario
will drop southeast over the Eastern Great Lakes and Northeast.
Showers will start to spread into the region as a sfc low and its
frontal boundaries track across the region Sunday and Sunday night.
This mid-level trough will likely stick around longer than the one
at the end of this week and unsettled and cooler weather will
continue through Wednesday.
&&
.AVIATION /03Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
While VFR conditions will be found throughout the region through at
least 06z...some heavy showers and possible strong thunderstorms are
forecast to move through the region through 07z. Conditions may
deteriorate to IFR to MVFR levels under any of this convection as a
cold front moves through the region. In the wake of this pcpn...low
VFR cigs are expected...except across the Srn Tier where cigs of 700
to 1500 ft are forecast.
On Thursday...mainly VFR weather is expected...although cigs will
hover between 2500 and 3500 for much of the day. These cigs will be
accompanied by some showers...esp across the Southern Tier and
Finger Lakes region.
Outlook...
Thursday Night...VFR/MVFR. Lake effect showers SE of the lakes.
Friday and Saturday...Mainly VFR.
Sunday...VFR/MVFR. A chance of showers.
Monday...VFR/MVFR. Showers likely.
&&
.MARINE...
Southwest flow will continue ahead of an approaching cold front,
particularly on Lake Erie with winds and waves nearing Small Craft
Advisory criteria. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will cross
the lower Great Lakes late this evening, producing locally higher
winds and waves.
The cold front will move southeast across the lower Great Lakes
overnight. Moderate to strong northwest flow will develop in the
wake of the cold front late tonight and continue through Thursday
night, producing widespread Small Craft Advisory conditions on both
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Winds and waves will gradually subside
Friday the pressure gradient relaxes.
The coolest airmass of the early fall season will arrive Thursday.
This will bring the potential for a few waterspouts from early
Thursday morning through Friday morning, particularly in and near
bands of lake effect showers.
&&
.BUF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NY...Beach Hazards Statement through Friday afternoon for NYZ001.
Beach Hazards Statement through Friday evening for NYZ002>004.
Beach Hazards Statement through Friday afternoon for NYZ005-
006.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM EDT Friday for LEZ040-041.
Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Friday for LOZ030.
Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Saturday for
LOZ042>044.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Friday for LOZ045.
&&
SYNOPSIS...RSH
NEAR TERM...RSH
SHORT TERM...HSK
LONG TERM...HSK/SW
AVIATION...RSH
MARINE...Fries/ZaffHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Buffalo NY 500 AM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-220900- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis- Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua- Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie- 500 AM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western and north central New York. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to cross the area from mid afternoon through mid evening, and some of these storms may be severe. Strong, damaging winds are the primary risk, with a secondary lower risk of large hail and an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state and CDC guidelines. 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 LEZ040-041-LOZ042>045-062>065-220900- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Ripley to Dunkirk- Lake Erie nearshore waters from Dunkirk to Buffalo- 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- 500 AM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to cross the area from mid afternoon through mid evening, and some of these storms may be severe. Strong winds are the primary risk, with a secondary lower risk of large hail and an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Waterspouts are possible from early Thursday morning through Friday morning on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Waterspouts are most likely in and near bands of lake effect showers. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state and CDC guidelines. 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-LOZ030-SLZ022-024-220900- Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-Lower Niagara River- Saint Lawrence River from Cape Vincent to Ogdensburg- Saint Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Saint Regis- 500 AM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and Saint Lawrence River. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to cross the area from mid afternoon through mid evening, and some of these storms may be severe. Strong winds are the primary risk, with a secondary lower risk of large hail and an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state and CDC guidelines. 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 640 PM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 NYZ001>008-010>014-019>021-085-220130- Niagara-Orleans-Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-Oswego-Jefferson- Lewis-Northern Erie-Genesee-Wyoming-Livingston-Ontario-Chautauqua- Cattaraugus-Allegany-Southern Erie- Including the cities of Niagara Falls, Medina, Rochester, Newark, Fair Haven, Oswego, Watertown, Lowville, Buffalo, Batavia, Warsaw, Geneseo, Canandaigua, Jamestown, Olean, Wellsville, Orchard Park, and Springville 640 PM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022 While the immediate threat for severe weather has greatly diminished across western and northcentral NY early this evening, the threat for some scattered strong to potentially severe storms will ramp up again late this evening into the first half of the overnight as the cold front crosses the region. The greatest threats will be localized strong winds and heavy rain between 10 PM and 3 AM. JM
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1136 PM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022
NYZ001-002-010-011-220430-
Orleans NY-Genesee NY-Niagara NY-Northern Erie NY-
1136 PM EDT Wed Sep 21 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Erie,
Niagara, Orleans and northern Genesee Counties through 1230 AM EDT...
At 1136 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Newfane, or 8 miles north of Lockport, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lockport, Medina, Albion, Hamlin Beach State Park, Newfane,
Pendleton, Byron, Middleport, Oakfield, Holley, Waterport, Lakeside
Beach State Park, Sanborn, Point Breeze, Kent, Ridgeway, Shelby,
Clarendon, Gaines and Kendall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm 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 4334 7894 4341 7860 4342 7824 4341 7793
4336 7793 4336 7799 4314 7800 4313 7793
4308 7793 4304 7795 4303 7793 4310 7906
TIME...MOT...LOC 0336Z 273DEG 38KT 4328 7875
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MitchellSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1228 AM EDT Thu Sep 22 2022
NYZ019>021-220530-
Chautauqua NY-Cattaraugus NY-Allegany NY-
1228 AM EDT Thu Sep 22 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Cattaraugus, southern
Chautauqua and west central Allegany Counties through 130 AM EDT...
At 1227 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles south of Silver Creek to near Long
Point State Park to Findley Lake. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jamestown, Salamanca, Allegany State Park, Lakewood, Falconer,
Ashford, Franklinville, Clymer, Cuba, Long Point State Park,
Jamestown West, Frewsburg, Busti, Hinsdale, Great Valley, New Albion,
Gerry, Conewango, Ellington and Leon.
This includes Interstate 86 between exits 7 and 23, and between exits
27 and 28.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 4241 7909 4230 7813 4200 7871 4200 7976
4204 7976
TIME...MOT...LOC 0427Z 264DEG 35KT 4242 7914 4223 7936 4210 7975
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MitchellThe Buffalo radar (KBUF), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:39 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were reported downed onto a road.
Multiple trees were reported downed onto Route 19.
Trees were reported down.
Trees were reported downed onto power lines.
Trees were reported down.
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 historyWarnings in New York, September 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: 1057755, 1057756, 1057757, 1057758, 1057759.