Severe weather – maybe even a tornado – possible this afternoon

There will be several rounds of showers and thunderstorms today and tonight, with a high of 73. 

The weather service also said in a tweet it’s possible storms will produce large hail “and a tornado or two.”

“There’s a lot of uncertainty on how it will work out,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Alumbaugh. “It will depend on how much clearing we’ll see in the afternoon.”

A prolonged clearing between rain storms, where the sun comes out and temperatures jump up could build up instability in the atmosphere, and produce conditions ripe for large hail and a tornado, he said. 

But he said, “The main threat is still the damaging straight line winds.”  

The storms could produce locally heavy rainfall, with a quarter inch to half an inch of rain possible. 

Expect several rounds of showers and thunderstorms today and tonight. Some storms could become strong to severe this afternoon and evening, particularly from 4 pm-9 pm. The main severe threat will be damaging wind gusts, though large hail and a tornado or two are also possible. pic.twitter.com/mKMzp3jXVb

— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) April 5, 2023