Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1990

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 113, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

September 6, 1990Bedford County, Blair County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 6, 1990, 6:56 PM EDT for Bedford County, Blair County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 64 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 6, 1990, 6:56 PM EDT (22:56 UTC)
Expired
Sep 6, 1990, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
64 min
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Whole counties

Counties Bedford County, PA, Blair County, PA

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 144 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 1990-09-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 58 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 1990-09-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
58 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-206 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
691 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
68 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KPIT 062302
SVRPIT
PAC009-013-070000-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
656 PM EDT THU SEP 6 1990
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  800 PM EDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
 
IN WEST PENNSYLVANIA
 
   ...BEDFORD COUNTY...BLAIR COUNTY
 
RADAR SHOWED SEVERE STORMS WILL BE GOING THROUGH THESE COUNTIES TIL
800 PM.  THESE STORMS HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE AS THEY HAVE HIGH WIND...
DEADLY LIGHTNING...TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS...AND LARGE HAIL.
 
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES
WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.
 
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SH^ELTER FROM THE WEATHER IN A
STRONG BUILDING AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS.  IF NO SUCH SHELTER
NEARBY...TAKE COVER IN LOW AREAS BUT WATCH FOR FLOODING AS
HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY.  DON'T DRIVE INTO AREAS
WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 6, 2:50 PM EDT, 4 hours 6 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-062200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND WEATHER RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
245 PM EDT FRI SEP 6 1990

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
AND THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA UNTIL 800 PM THIS EVENING.

AT 245 PM WEATHER RADAR SHOWED HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS OVER LAKE ERIE AND
NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

THE MOST POTENT STORMS WERE LOCATED JUST WEST OF ERIE PENNSYLVANIA TO
NEAR CLEVELAND OHIO.

THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING INTO THE ERIE AREA BY 300 PM.  EXPECT
STRONG GUSTY WINDS...VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND
HAIL AS THESE STORMS MOVE THROUGH BETWEEN 300 AND 330 PM.

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL REACH THE FRANKLIN...MEADVILLE AND TITUSVILLE
AREAS BETWEEN 330 AND 400 PM.

MOTORISTS ON INTERSTATE 79 AND 90 NEAR ERIE AND MEADVILLE CAN EXPECT
VERY HEAVY RAINS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS AS THESE STORMS MOVE THROUGH.

THE THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD REACH THE PITTSBURGH...WHEELING AND BUTLER
AREAS BETWEEN 500 PM AND 600 PM.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING 12 COUNTIES IN
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA...

ALLEGHENY...BEAVER...BUTLER...CRAWFORD...ERIE...FAYETTE...GREENE...
LAWRENCE...MERCER...VENANGO...WASHINGTON...WESTMORELAND

AND THE FOLLOWING 4 COUNTIES IN THE NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
PANHANDLE...

BROOKE...HANCOCK...MARSHALL...OHIO

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN
AND NEAR THE WATCH AREA.  LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.  IF THREATING APPROACHES SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

PALKO/HIGGINS
Special weather statement, Sep 6, 3:42 PM EDT, 3 hours 14 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-062300-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND WEATHER RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
335 PM EDT FRI SEP 6 1990

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS FOR ERIE AND CRAWFORD COUNTIES UNTIL
   415 PM...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM...

AT 335 PM WEATHER RADAR SHOWED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER NORTHWESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHEASTERN OHIO. THE STORMS EXTENDED FROM NEAR ERIE
PENNSYLVANIA...TO NEAR AKRON OHIO.

THE SEVERE STORMS IN PENNSYLVANIA WERE NEAR ERIE...ALBION...LINESVILLE
AND THE PYMATUNING RESERVOIR.  EXPECT DAMAGING WINDS...VERY HEAVY
DOWNPOURS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND LARGE HAIL AS THESE STORMS MOVE
THROUGH BETWEEN NOW AND 415 PM.

IF YOU ARE BOATING AND SEE SKIES DARKEN...MOVE TO SHORE AT ONCE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
AND THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA UNTIL 800 PM THIS EVENING.

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL REACH THE BEAVER FALLS...MORAINE STATE PARK AND
KNOX AREAS BEWTEEN 500 PM AND 530 PM.

MOTORISTS ON INTERSTATE 79 AND 90 NEAR ERIE AND MEADVILLE CAN EXPECT
VERY HEAVY RAINS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS AS THESE STORMS MOVE THROUGH.

THE THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD REACH THE PITTSBURGH...WHEELING AND BUTLER
AREAS BETWEEN 600 PM AND 630 PM.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING 12 COUNTIES IN
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA...

ALLEGHENY...BEAVER...BUTLER...CRAWFORD...ERIE...FAYETTE...GREENE...
LAWRENCE...MERCER...VENANGO...WASHINGTON...WESTMORELAND

AND THE FOLLOWING 4 COUNTIES IN THE NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
PANHANDLE...

BROOKE...HANCOCK...MARSHALL...OHIO

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN
AND NEAR THCE WATCH AREA...WHILE A WARNING MEANS SEVERE WEATHER IS OR
WILL OCCUR.  LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.  IF
THREATING APPROACHES SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

PALKO/HIGGINS
Special weather statement, Sep 6, 4:34 PM EDT, 2 hours 22 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-062200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND WEATHER RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
435 PM EDT THU SEP 6 1990

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM FOR MUCH
OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA...

AT 430 PM PITTSBURGH WEATHER RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
EXTENDING FROM WARREN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA TO CARROLL COUNTY OHIO.
SEVERAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN
NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA AND A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED IN NORTHEAST
OHIO.

THE LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
AT THE PRESENT MOVEMENT THE STORMS WILL PASS THROUGH ALLEGHENY
COUNTY...CITY OF PITTSBURGH...BETWEEN 6 AND 7 PM.

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS WEATHER SITUATION. THESE STORMS WILL
PRODUCE HIGH GUSTY WINDS...LARGE HAIL...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING AND
1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
THESE STORMS COULD ALSO PRODUCE A TORNADO.

ALL THOSE OUTDOORS SHOULD MOVE INSIDE AND REMEMBER NEVER EVER
DRIVE THOUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. BOATERS...GET OFF THE WATER.
Special weather statement, Sep 6, 5:32 PM EDT, 1 hour 24 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-070000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND WEATHER RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
535 PM EDT THU SEP 6 1990

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM COMING THROUGH PITTSBURGH AREA TIL 630 PM...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHES IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM FOR MUCH
OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA...TAKE COVER...INCLUDING THOSE AT
THREE RIVERS STADIUM DOWNTOWN.  DAMAGING WIND...DEADLY LIGHTNING...
TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE OCCURRING.  MOTORISTS
SHOULD PULL OVER IN LOW VISIBILITY AND TAKE COVER IF HIGH WINDS
THREATEN.  HEAVY DOWNPOURS CAN CAUSE RAPID FLOODING WHERE DRAINAGE
IS POOR.
Special weather statement, Sep 6, 5:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 20 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-070000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND WEATHER RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
535 PM EDT THU SEP 6 1990

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM COMING THROUGH PITTSBURGH AREA TIL 630 PM...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS CONTINUE FOR MOST OF SOUTHWESTERN
   PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE TIL 630...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHES IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM FOR MUCH
OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA...

IF YOU ARE IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA...TAKE COVER...INCLUDING THOSE AT
THREE RIVERS STADIUM DOWNTOWN.  DAMAGING WIND...DEADLY LIGHTNING...
TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE OCCURRING.  MOTORISTS
SHOULD PULL OVER IN LOW VISIBILITY AND TAKE COVER IF HIGH WINDS
THREATEN.  HEAVY DOWNPOURS CAN CAUSE RAPID FLOODING WHERE DRAINAGE
IS POOR.

THE PITTSBURGH STORM IS JUST ONE OF MANY ALONG A LINE OF SEVERE STORMS
THAT EXTENDS FROM DUBOIS THROUGH PITTSBURGH TO WHEELING WEST VIRGINIA
AND CAMBRIDGE OHIO.  THE STORMS WERE MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MILES AN
HOUR.  EACH OF THESE STORMS ARE DANGEROUS.  TAKE COVER AS THEY COME
THROUGH.  DONT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODING.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 6, 4:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver, Butler, Clarion85 min
Sep 6, 4:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZArmstrong100 min
Sep 6, 5:06 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZButler54 min
Sep 6, 5:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Washington, Westmoreland77 min
Sep 6, 5:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZIndiana, Jefferson77 min
Sep 6, 5:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZCambria, Clearfield, Indiana98 min
Sep 6, 5:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette, Greene98 min
Sep 6, 5:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZWestmoreland98 min
Sep 6, 6:29 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZWestmoreland61 min
Sep 6, 6:51 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZSomerset69 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 1990Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1990

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.