Grand Island, NY Tornado History — 19 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Grand Island, NY had?
Grand Island has had 19 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Grand Island?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Grand Island was an EF0 on September 9, 2024.
When is tornado season in Grand Island?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Grand Island, with 6 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Grand Island
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 total, averaging 0.3 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Grand Island been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Grand Island from any of the 19 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Grand Island
About Tornadoes in Grand Island
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Grand Island, New York, has experienced 19 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. The town sits in western New York near Buffalo, a region where tornadoes occur less frequently than in the central United States but are not uncommon during the warm season. Notably, none of these tornadoes have resulted in fatalities, though several have caused significant property damage.
The distribution of tornado activity shows considerable variation by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with six events, while the 1950s and 1980s each recorded only one. The 2020s have already logged two tornadoes through 2024, including the most recent event on September 9, 2024, which was rated EF0 with a 1.2-mile path and caused no damage. By intensity, the tornadoes have been relatively modest: seven were rated EF0, eight were EF1, and four reached EF2 strength. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which replaced the original Fujita scale in 2007, rates tornadoes from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest) based on damage indicators.
August stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for six of the 19 recorded events. This late-summer timing differs from the traditional spring peak seen in many tornado-prone regions, likely reflecting the influence of Great Lakes weather patterns and summer convective systems. The costliest tornado on record struck on July 30, 1987, causing $2.75 million in property damage along a 1.5-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The widest tornado, an EF2 event on July 20, 2017, reached 700 yards across and traveled 6.1 miles, though it caused only $3,500 in damage. The longest-tracked tornado carved a 7.8-mile path on July 7, 1961, with damage totaling $275,000.
While Grand Island's tornado history demonstrates that these storms can and do occur in western New York, the relatively low frequency and absence of fatalities distinguish the area from regions with more intense tornado climatology. Residents should remain aware that tornadoes remain a possibility during severe thunderstorm events, particularly in the summer months.