Erie County, New York tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: September 9, 2024, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Erie County

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The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly8 of 27
StrongestF3Aug 19, 1970
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries6whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Erie County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 3May: 2Jun: 4Jul: 8Aug: 5Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 8 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 5: 312 PM: 3: 1: 73 PM: 0: 2: 26 PM: 0: 1: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 2: 1: 2: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 4: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
12
EF1
8
EF2
6
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, August 19, 1970

2.3 mile path Longest path

12 miles, F2

May 2, 1972, whole path Widest

700 yards, EF2

July 20, 2017
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 9, 2024EF01.2 mi75 yd00
Aug 5, 2024EF11.4 mi300 yd00
Jul 10, 2024EF12.8 mi400 yd00
Jul 10, 2024EF23.2 mi300 yd00
Jul 16, 2020EF01.75 mi50 yd00
Oct 20, 2018EF00.16 mi75 yd00
Oct 31, 2017EF00.4 mi10 yd00
Jul 20, 2017EF01.34 mi450 yd00
Jul 20, 2017EF26.11 mi700 yd00
Jun 30, 2006F13 mi75 yd02
Apr 28, 2002F00.7 mi25 yd00
Sep 25, 1997F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 28, 1994F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jun 24, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 23, 1993F02 mi23 yd00
Aug 31, 1993F10.8 mi50 yd00
Jul 12, 1992F10.5 mi20 yd00
May 1, 1991F00.5 mi10 yd00
Apr 9, 1991F10.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 30, 1987F21.5 mi30 yd01
Jun 30, 1976F10.3 mi30 yd00
May 2, 1972F212 mi350 yd00
Aug 23, 1971F20.1 mi167 yd00
Aug 19, 1970F32.3 mi300 yd03
Jun 9, 1966F01 mi33 yd00
Cities

Cities in Erie County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.