Severe Storms and Tornado Risk Threaten Upstate New York Tonight
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a slight risk for severe thunderstorms across parts of upstate New York, including the Rochester and Finger Lakes regions, for Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Scattered thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon, but the primary window for severe weather is expected from early evening into the early overnight hours. A cold front moving into the region later tonight is expected to enhance storm activity, with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado. Areas from Buffalo through Rochester and eastward toward Oswego and Watertown are included in the risk zone. Storm activity is anticipated to diminish overnight, with cooler and drier conditions expected to follow on Wednesday and Thursday. 
