The influence of an external medium on the evolution of two-dimensional long non-linear strain waves in an elastic plate is studied. The governing non-linear equations for longitudinal and shear waves are obtained. A threshold value of the external medium parameter is found that separates the existence of either one-dimensional (or plane) localized strain wave or two-dimensional localized strain wave. A considerable increase in the amplitude of the wave is found during the formation of the two-dimensional localized strain wave from an arbitrary initial pulse.