As per reports, a yellow alert has been issued for Saturday (18 July) across western and central New York, including Monroe County (Rochester) and surrounding counties, due to wildfire smoke and the risk of strong to severe thunderstorms.

• Southwesterly winds are expected to transport surface-level wildfire smoke into the region during the morning, resulting in unhealthy air quality, particularly affecting Monroe, Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates, Seneca and Cayuga counties. Scattered rainfall and thunderstorms associated with a warm front are expected through 0700 hours local time (1100 hours UTC) to 0800 hours local time (1200 hours UTC).
• A severe thunderstorms is expected to develop between 1500 hours local time (1900 hours UTC) and 1800 hours local time (2200 hours UTC), bringing damaging wind gusts of 50-60 miles per hour (80-97 kilometer per hour). Additional hazards include one to two inches (25-50 millimeter) of heavy rainfall, localized flash flooding, hail up to one inch (2.5 centimeter), isolated tornadoes, and frequent lightning.
• Storms are expected to weaken before evening hours, with rainfall possible before conditions improve overnight as a cold front move through the region.