North Tonawanda, NY Tornado History — 22 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has North Tonawanda, NY had?
North Tonawanda has had 22 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near North Tonawanda?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of North Tonawanda was an EF0 on September 9, 2024.
When is tornado season in North Tonawanda?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near North Tonawanda, with 7 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 North Tonawanda
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 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 North Tonawanda been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of North Tonawanda from any of the 22 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near North Tonawanda
About Tornadoes in North Tonawanda
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.
North Tonawanda, New York, has experienced 22 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are less frequent in western New York than in the central United States, the region does see periodic tornado activity, particularly during the summer months when atmospheric conditions can support severe thunderstorm development.
The majority of tornadoes recorded near North Tonawanda have been relatively weak, with 8 rated EF0 and 10 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Four tornadoes have reached EF2 intensity, capable of causing considerable damage to structures. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on July 30, 1987, when an F2 tornado caused $2,750,000 in property damage along a 1.5-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The widest tornado on record was an EF2 that traveled 6.1 miles on July 20, 2017, reaching 700 yards in width but causing only $3,500 in damage. The longest-tracked tornado was an F2 on July 7, 1961, which carved a 7.8-mile path and caused $275,000 in damage.
Tornado activity near North Tonawanda has varied considerably by decade, with the 1990s seeing the most events at 6, followed by 4 in the 2020s. July stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 7 of the 22 recorded events. This summer concentration aligns with the typical pattern in the Northeast, where warm, humid air masses can interact with frontal boundaries and upper-level disturbances to produce rotating thunderstorms. The most recent tornado occurred on September 10, 2024, when an EF0 touched down briefly along a 0.2-mile path, causing no damage or injuries.