The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Atlantic Beach in Nassau County on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Meteorologists said a waterspout developed off the coast near the Far Rockaways in Queens and Atlantic Beach and moved onshore between 6:30 and 7 p.m.
Heavy rain also affected much of downstate New York, including Queens and Long Island. Nearly 3 inches of rain was reported in parts of Nassau County, while other areas of the New York City region, including Westchester and Rockland counties, also received significant rainfall.
Videos shared on social media showed funnel clouds developing over the Atlantic Ocean before moving toward the Far Rockaways and Atlantic Beach. Debris appeared to be lifted from roofs and other structures.
The National Weather Service said damage reported at the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach was consistent with "a tornadic touchdown" in the area.
A second waterspout that affected parts of the Far Rockaways and Five Towns in Queens, about a mile east of the confirmed tornado, remains under investigation. No damage has been reported from that storm, according to the weather service.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service's New York office are expected to release additional findings after completing damage surveys Friday evening.
Tornadoes in New York: A history of twisters
New York has recorded more than 500 tornadoes since 1950, most of them relatively weak EF0 or EF1 tornadoes.
The state also has experienced significant tornadoes, including an EF4 tornado during the May 31, 1985, outbreak in Chenango County.
New York recorded a record 33 tornadoes in 2024, including two rated stronger than EF2. The state recorded 25 tornadoes in 1992 and 23 in 1998.
Seven tornadoes were reported in New York in 2025, including an EF0 tornado confirmed from Purchase to Rye Brook near the Connecticut border on July 22.
When is peak tornado season in New York?
New York's peak tornado season generally runs from June through August, according to the National Weather Service. Tornadoes, however, can occur outside that period when atmospheric conditions are favorable.
Across the United States, peak tornado season varies by region. The Plains typically see their highest tornado activity in May and June, while the upper Midwest generally sees peak activity in June and July.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NWS confirms tornado in Atlantic Beach on Long Island after severe storms
