Updated April 16, 2026, 12:32 p.m. ET
Peak twister season is underway is a few elements of the nation.
Severe storms have ripped by way of the area and a few twisters have touched down within the Empire state – together with an EF-1 that ripped through Cattaraugus County in western New York in March.
In New York, the summer time months mark peak twister season, although tornadoes can occur any time of the 12 months, in accordance to the National Weather Service.
Around 1,200 tornadoes hit the U.S. yearly, together with a mean of 10 per 12 months in New York, in accordance to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A record-breaking 33 tornadoes touched down in New York in 2024, together with two stronger than an EF-2. Seven tornadoes occurred in New York final 12 months.
While storms can type rapidly and alter route with little warning, figuring out what to do earlier than, throughout and after a twister warning could make a essential distinction in staying secure. Here’s extra:
How do you keep secure throughout a twister?
The National Weather Service recommends getting to the bottom stage potential, ideally a basement or inside room on the bottom flooring. Put as many partitions as you possibly can between you and the surface, and avoid home windows. Elevation and close by water do not present safety — tornadoes can cross hills and water simply, so at all times search shelter if one is close by.
What to do when driving throughout a twister warning
Do not attempt to outrun a twister — a tornado is thought to transfer quick and might change route rapidly. Pull off the highway and enter a sturdy constructing if potential.
Do not shelter underneath a freeway overpass. (Yes, this selection is usually proven in catastrophe motion pictures. It’s a poor alternative.) Overpasses can intensify wind speeds and enhance particles publicity, placing you at a lot larger danger of harm or demise, in accordance to the Weather Service.
If no constructing is obtainable, both get down in your automobile and canopy your head, or abandon your automobile and lie flat in a low-lying ditch or melancholy and canopy your head along with your arms.
Tornadoes in New York: A historical past of twisters
Since 1950, New York has skilled over 500 tornadoes, with the bulk being comparatively weak EF0 and EF1 twisters. However, the state has additionally seen just a few vital twister occasions, together with the devastating twister outbreak of May 31, 1985, which produced a number of highly effective tornadoes, together with an EF4 in Chenango County. While tornadoes are much less widespread in New York in contrast to areas just like the Midwest, they continue to be a notable and infrequently harmful facet of the state’s climate historical past.
A record-breaking 33 tornadoes touched down in New York in 2024, together with two stronger than an EF-2. Two different excessive twister years in New York have been 1992 and 1998, when 25 and 23 tornadoes have been recorded, respectively. Seven tornadoes occurred in New York final 12 months.
When is peak twister season in New York?
While peak twister season begins as early as March in some southern states, New York’s peak twister season runs from June by way of August, in accordance to the Weather Service. That mentioned, tornados can and do happen exterior peak season when the circumstances are good.
Tornado season elsewhere within the nation peaks from May to June within the Plains states and in June or July within the higher Midwest,
NY twister database: See the state’s worst twisters
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has tracked tornadoes in New York since 1950, offering knowledge on their paths and affect. This interactive map, that includes twister knowledge from January 1950, provides detailed data together with harm estimates and any accidents or fatalities brought on by current tornadoes. Check out the tornado database.
How to put together for a twister earlier than it hits
Tornadoes can develop rapidly and alter route with little warning, however having a fundamental plan in place could make a essential distinction in how safely you reply. A plan and some necessities will help you reply quick when seconds matter.
Keep a package prepared in your house secure house or shelter space.
- Water (at the least 1 gallon per particular person per day for two–3 days)
- Nonperishable meals and a handbook can opener
- Flashlight and further batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank climate radio
- First assist package (bandages, antiseptic, ache relievers)
- Prescription drugs (at the least just a few days’ provide)
- Sturdy sneakers for everybody within the family
- Work gloves (useful after harm for particles)
Protect vital paperwork when storms are close to
Keep copies in a water-resistant container or a grab-and-go folder.
- IDs and passports
- Insurance playing cards and insurance policies
- Medical data and prescriptions
- Emergency contacts
- Proof of residence (useful for restoration claims)
Tornado watch kids and household security steps
Preparation can save time in chaos.
- Write a guardian or guardian cellphone quantity on a toddler’s arm or clothes with a everlasting marker or wristband
- Teach children the place to go within the house within the case of a warning
- Practice getting to the secure room/house rapidly
- Keep helmets or pillows within the secure room for head safety
- Store sneakers and flashlight within the secure room
- Make certain kids know the way to name 911 if wanted
Tornado watches and pet
- Have a leash, provider or crate prepared to go
- Prepare meals and water for two–3 days
- Have vaccination information if potential
- Ensure ID tags and microchip information are up to date
Includes reporting by the USA Today community
