The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Friday morning, October 16, 2026. The alert threatened Rochester and four surrounding counties in western New York with damaging winds and hazardous traveling conditions.
The urgent weather alert remained in effect until 10 a.m. A fast-moving line of storms swept across the region, bringing wind gusts of up to 60 mph. These gusts posed direct risks to local buildings, mature trees, and regional transportation networks.
Affected Counties and Communities Under the Warning
The National Weather Service office in Buffalo stated that the severe weather warning covered multiple counties across western New York. The targeted zone included:
- Northeastern Livingston County
- Southeastern Orleans County
- Eastern Genesee County
- Monroe County
- Northwestern Ontario County
At 9:09 a.m., meteorological radar showed that the severe thunderstorms formed a solid line from near Byron to Batavia. The storm tracked rapidly eastward at 60 mph. Communities that experienced direct impacts included Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit, Chili, Batavia, Brockport, East Rochester, Hilton, Webster, and Fairport.
Storm Hazards and Impacted Transportation Routes
Forecasters warned that the primary threat from the Friday morning system was destructive wind gusts. These gusts could damage roofs, strip siding, and bring down tree branches and power lines. Radar tracking also indicated small hail measuring under three-quarters of an inch.
The severe weather affected major regional driving routes, including stretches of Interstate 390 between exits 11 and 12, and Interstate 90 between exits 44 and 48. This created hazardous travel conditions for morning commuters.
National Weather Service Safety Recommendations
During the warning, the National Weather Service advised residents in the storm’s path to take immediate precautions. Officials urged individuals to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building for protection until the storm front cleared the area.
