New York Sees First Tornado of 2026 as Season Gets Early Start

2024's Record Breaking Tornado Season in New York

While New York State isn't a hotspot for tornado activity, tornadoes do occasionally touchdown.

According to Ground Zero Storm Shelters, while New York tornados "do not occur as frequently as other places" there have been "notable and significant tornados that have happened in the past."

2024 was a big year for tornados across the Empire State. Meteorologist Bill Kardas reported that in 2024, 26 tornados touched down with the first touching down in February and the last in August.

The previous record was 25 tornados in 1992. Will we have a record breaking year in 2026?

Tornado Season Off to a Hot Start in 2026

As we learned above, tornados can happen as early as February. Could the 2026 season be starting just as spring begins?

Meteorologist Katherine Schwalm is reporting the first tornado of the year has been confirmed. Schwalm writes "The first New York State tornado of 2026 was confirmed yesterday by the National Weather Service out of Buffalo."

The EF-1 tornado touched down in Cattaraugus County from 3:43 PM until 3:46 PM on Tuesday March 31st, 2026.Schwalm continues:

The NWS surveyed the damage and determined it was an EF-1. Maximum winds of 107 mph, a path length of 1.4 miles and width of 150 yards.

The National Weather Service adds "After further review of drone footage provided by Cattaraugus County Emergency Services, there has been an update to the maximum path width to 200 yards for the tornado southwest of Machias on March 31st."

They add specifically "The maximum path width was observed between Ashford Road and the railroad tracks."

Find the full report at forecast.weather.gov.

New York States Deadliest Tornados

One of the most tragic tornados in New York touched down in the Hudson Valley back in 1989 in Orange County.

On November 16th, 1989, a tornado touched down near East Coldenham Elementary School. The tornado struck the glass wall of the elementary school cafeteria, where 100 young students were gathered.

READ MORE: Remembering the Lives Lost During the 1989 Coldenham Tragedy

7 children died that day at the elementary school. 2 students passed away shortly after at a nearby hospital, 18 others were injured and another child died in a car accident after the storm.

Tornado season peaks in New York State during the month of July. Learn more about New York's history with tornadoes and some of the deadliest that have touched down over the years below: