New York Tornadoes
New York averages 10 tornadoes per year. History includes 1998 East Fishkill F3, and 2018 Central New York outbreak. Rare but real tornado risk.
New York Tornado Statistics
- Average tornadoes per year: ~10
- Peak season: July-August
- Historical events: Multiple significant F/EF3+ events
Notable New York Tornado Events
May 31, 1998 East Fishkill F3
Struck East Fishkill area. Significant NY event.
May 15, 2018 Central New York Outbreak
Multiple tornadoes across Central and Western NY. EF3 in Newburgh area.
July 8, 2014 Smithville Flats EF2
Southern Tier NY event. Recent significant tornado.
Why New York?
Continental Position
New York sits in transitional weather patterns. Cold fronts, warm air masses can produce severe weather.
Lake Effect
Great Lakes influence weather but generally reduce tornado activity.
Summer Convection
Summer heating produces convective storms.
Regional NY Risk
Southern Tier
Higher tornado density in Southern Tier region.
Western New York
Buffalo area. Occasional significant events.
Central New York
Syracuse, Utica. Historical events.
Hudson Valley
Occasional events. Terrain reduces frequency.
Long Island
Ocean effect reduces tornadoes.
Notable New York Cities
- Buffalo - Western NY
- Rochester - Western NY
- Syracuse - Central NY
- Albany - state capital
- NYC - largest metro, very rare tornado events
Living in New York
- Tornado risk low but real
- NOAA weather radio recommended
- Understanding of summer tornado season
- Interior room or basement shelter
- Family emergency plan
Try the interactive simulator
Place an EF0–EF5 tornado anywhere in the world and see modeled fatalities, structural damage, and economic loss based on real census data.
Launch simulator →Try the interactive simulator
Place an EF0–EF5 tornado anywhere in the world and see modeled fatalities, structural damage, and economic loss based on real census data.
Launch simulator →