Tornado History

New York Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for New York. The local dataset contains 540 tornado records from 1952 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F4 (Devastating damage) and at least $473.4M in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 29, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 32 deaths and 308 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes540
Total Deaths32
Total Injuries308
Property Damage$473.4M
Avg Length3.0 mi
Avg Width154 yd

Key Tornado Facts for New York

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 7.2 tornadoes per year (11.6/yr in last decade)
July is the peak tornado month with 155 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F1 in New York with 9 deaths
2024 was the most active year with 33 tornadoes
The 1990s had the most tornado activity (103 events)
Longest tornado: 45.6 miles in New York
Widest tornado: 1,760.0 yards in New York
Most tornadoes in one day: 13 on May 31, 1998

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In New York, July is the most active month with 155 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

3322110

Summary: 2024 was the most active year with 33 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 138 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$175.6M$17.6M$1.8M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 1989 with at least $175.6M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Oneida
Suffolk
Chautauqua
Erie
Chenango
Cattaraugus
Dutchess
Ulster
Otsego
Orange
Columbia
Saratoga
Sullivan
Broome
St. Lawrence
Fulton
Herkimer
Delaware
Allegany
Oswego

Summary: Oneida County has the highest count in this state group with 32 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F4 July 10, 19891989F4 July 10, 19891989F4 July 10, 19891989F4 July 10, 19891989F4 May 31, 19851985F4 August 28, 19731973F3 May 31, 19981998F3 June 24, 19601960F3 May 2, 19831983F3 June 20, 19691969F3 May 2, 19831983F3 May 2, 19831983F3 May 2, 19831983F3 May 2, 19831983F3 May 2, 1983F3 May 2, 1983F3 May 31, 1985F3 July 14, 1988F3 May 31, 1998EF3 August 7, 2023F3 May 31, 1998F3 May 31, 1998F3 May 15, 1961F3 August 19, 1970F3 May 2, 1983F3 August 30, 1955F3 July 24, 1967F3 June 20, 1969EF3 May 22, 2014F2 July 10, 1989F2 July 12, 2006F2 May 31, 1998EF2 July 24, 2010EF2 July 24, 2010EF2 July 16, 2024F2 May 9, 1961F2 July 26, 1986F2 July 30, 1987F2 July 12, 1992F2 June 2, 1998F2 September 7, 1998F2 August 8, 1999F2 July 21, 2003EF2 July 28, 2022EF2 April 28, 2011EF2 July 8, 2014EF2 April 28, 2011F2 July 3, 1997F2 September 3, 1993F2 May 31, 1998F2 April 28, 2002EF2 November 14, 2011EF2 November 14, 2011F2 July 7, 1961F2 May 16, 1965F2 August 6, 1968F2 May 17, 1969F2 September 27, 1970F2 July 29, 1971F2 July 29, 1971F2 May 2, 1972F2 June 9, 1972F2 June 11, 1976F2 June 16, 1976F2 September 18, 1977F2 October 1, 1986F2 August 15, 1986F2 August 28, 1990EF2 May 15, 2018F2 July 21, 2003EF2 April 22, 2023F2 May 31, 1998EF2 August 21, 2011EF2 August 21, 2011F2 May 18, 2000EF2 May 16, 2009F2 May 6, 1952F2 September 19, 1954F2 August 23, 1971F2 August 28, 1973© OpenStreetMap contributors
This map covers the wider location—not your exact property.Measure the closest recorded track to a street address in or near New York.
Measure distance free

Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
July 10, 1989F4Montgomery, New York6 mi1320 yd00$25.0M
July 10, 1989F4Schoharie, New York18 mi1320 yd020$25.0M
July 10, 1989F4Albany, New York13 mi1320 yd00$25.0M
July 10, 1989F4Greene, New York5 mi1320 yd00$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Chautauqua, New York8 mi440 yd00$2.5M
August 28, 1973F4Columbia, New York3.4 mi313 yd00$25K
May 31, 1998F3Saratoga, New York4.7 mi970 yd068$60.0M
June 24, 1960F3Schenectady, New York10.9 mi440 yd09$25.0M
May 2, 1983F3Oneida, New York3 mi450 yd00$25.0M
May 2, 1983F3Chautauqua, New York28 mi450 yd20$2.5M
May 2, 1983F3Cayuga, New York6 mi200 yd10$2.5M
June 20, 1969F3Chautauqua, New York45.6 mi33 yd00$2.5M
Did any of these records occur near a property you care about?Use an exact street address for a property-centered preview around New York.
Check a New York address

Top County Pages

Top Location Pages

Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

Terms · Privacy