Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 1992

Flash Flood Warning 39, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

August 8, 1992Allegheny County, Beaver County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 8, 1992, 11:00 PM EDT for Allegheny County, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 3 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 8, 1992, 11:00 PM EDT (03:00 UTC)
Expired
Aug 9, 1992, 2:00 AM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Whole counties

Counties Allegheny County, PA, Beaver County, PA

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 00:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 19 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 00:00Z on 1992-08-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1269 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 00:00Z on 1992-08-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 176 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1269 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
705 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
176 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
191 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.0
Supercell composite
4.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KPIT 090310 COR
FFWPIT
PAC003-007-021-033-051-063-129-090600-
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
1100 PM EDT SAT AUG 8 1992

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING
EFFECTIVE UNTIL  200 AM EDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...

IN WEST PENNSYLVANIA

   ...ALLEGHENY COUNTY...BEAVER COUNTY...CAMBRIA COUNTY
   ...CLEARFIELD COUNTY...FAYETTE COUNTY...INDIANA COUNTY...
   ...WESTMORELAND COUNTY

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR CONTINUES TO SHOW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
MOVING THROUGH BEAVER...ALLEGHENY...AND INTO WESTMORELAND COUNTIES.
ANOTHER AREA WAS MOVING THROUGH INDIANA..FAYETTE...CAMBRIA AND
CLEARFIELD COUNTIES. ALL THESE STORMS HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF CAUSING
DOWNPOURS HEAVY ENOUGH TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING AS WELL AS DESTRUCTIVE
WIND...HAIL AND LIGHTNING.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55
MPH...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR
OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.  HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO
DON'T DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood 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, Aug 8, 7:42 PM EDT, 3 hours 18 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-090300-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
745 PM EDT SAT AUG 8 1992

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AND FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR NORTHWESTERN
   PENNSYLVANIA TIL 11 PM...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR BUTLER
   COUNTY TIL 845 PM...

CLEAR:3
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 7:51 PM EDT, 3 hours 9 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-090300-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
750 PM EDT SAT AUG 8 1992

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AND FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR NORTHWESTERN
   PENNSYLVANIA TIL 11 PM...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR BUTLER COUNTY TIL
   845 PM...

AT 745 PM SHOWED THREE BANDS OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY
DOWNPOURS ACROSS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  THE MOST NORTHERN ONE WAS
ALONG THE NEW YORK STATE LINE BUT AFFECTING WARREN COUNTY.  THE SECOND
BAND WAS ACROSS VENANGO AND CRAWFORD AND NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY HEADING
INTO FOREST COUNTY.  THE THIRD BAND WAS OVER LAWRENCE AND BUTLER COUNTY
WITH MORE STORMS BACK TO CANTON OHIO.  EACH BAND WAS HEADING EAST AT 25
MPH.

WHEN THUNDERSTORMS THREATEN...MOVE INSIDE.  ALSO GET AWAY FROM WATER.
DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES OR TELEPHONES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY
UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER
CROSSINGS.

MOST FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO
CROSS BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY.
NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON FOOT.
TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

ALONG WITH THE FLOODING THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO PRODUCE STRONG
GUSTY WINDS...POSSIBLE LARGE HAIL AND DANGEROUS LIGHTING.

LAG/RWH
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 8:44 PM EDT, 2 hours 16 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-090300-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
845 PM EDT SAT AUG 8 1992

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AND FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR NORTHWESTERN
   PENNSYLVANIA TIL 11 PM...

...TORNADO WARNING UNTIL 915 PM FOR BEAVER AND BUTLER COUNTIES AND 945PM
PM FOR ARMSTRONG COUNTY...

AT 845 PM SHOWED TWO BANDS OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY
DOWNPOURS ACROSS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  THE MOST NORTHERN ONE WAS FOUND
FROM RIDGWAY TO YOUNGSTOWN OHIO.  THE SECOND BAND WAS OCCURRING FROM
NORTHERN BUTLER COUNTY WEST TO CANTON OHIO.  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH
A POSSIBLE TORNADO WAS FOUND JUST WEST OF EAST BRADY PENNSYLVANIA WITH
ANOTHER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CONTAINING LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND
PERHAPS A TORNADO 5 MILES WEST OF BEAVER FALLS.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MILES AN HOUR...AND WILL
REACH THE DOWNTOWN AREA WITH THE REGATTA AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY AROUND
930 PM.

DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES OR TELEPHONES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY
UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER
CROSSINGS.

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...GO INTO A BASEMENT OR UNDER A
STURDY TABLE.  MOST FLASH FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES.  DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO  CROSS BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY.  NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM...EVEN A SMALL ONE...ON
FOOT.  TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE TO HIGHER GROVUND.

ALONG WITH THE FLOODING THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO PRODUCE STRONG
GUSTY WINDS...POSSIBLE LARGE HAIL AND DANGEROUS LIGHTING.

LAG/RWH/REL
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 9:45 PM EDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-090300-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
945 PM EDT SAT AUG 8 1992

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AND FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR NORTHWESTERN
   PENNSYLVANIA TIL 11 PM...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING UNTIL 11 PM FOR
ALLEGHENY...BEAVER...AND BUTLER COUNTIES...

AT 945 PM SHOWED A LARGE AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS...A FEW SEVERE...FROM
COUDERSPORT PENNSYLVANIA TO LISBON OHIO.  SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING
DAMAGING WINDS OF 60 MILES AN HOUR...LARGE HAIL...AND DEADLY LIGHTNING
ARE CURRENTLY FOUND IN NORTHERN BUTLER COUNTY...IN RICHLAND TOWNSHIP IN
NORTHERN ALLEGHENY COUNTY...AND JUST EAST OF ELLWOOD CITY.  IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY IN A STURDY BUILDING.
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNTIL THE
STORM HAS PASSED.

OTHER THUNDERSTORMS ARE PRESENT FROM WEST OF WHEELING TO NEAR COLUMBUS.
ONE INCH RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR ARE BEING REPORTED
IN THE STORMS IN ARMSTRONG AND BUTLER COUNTIES.  DO NOT TRY TO CROSS
BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY...EVEN IF IT
APPEARS TO BE SHALLOW.  TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
CAMPERS SHOULD TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS BECAUSE CREEKS CAN INUNDATE AREAS
WITHIN MINUTES.

ALONG WITH THE FLOODING THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY
GUSTY WINDS...POSSIBLE LARGE HAIL AND DANGEROUS LIGHTING.

LAG/RWH/REL/JMP/MEF
Special weather statement, Aug 8, 10:43 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
PAZ001>006-013>015-WVZ001-090300-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
1040 PM EDT SAT AUG 8 1992

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AND FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR NORTHWESTERN
   PENNSYLVANIA TIL 11 PM...

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING AND FLASH FLOOD WARNING UNTIL 11 PM FOR
ALLEGHENY...BEAVER...AND BUTLER COUNTIES...

PITTSBURGH RADAR SHOWED A LARGE AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS...A FEW SEVERE...FROM
EMPORIUM PENNSYLVANIA TO WHEELING WV. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING
DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND DEADLY LIGHTNING ARE CURRENTLY FOUND
IN NORTHERN WESTMORELAND COUNTY...JUST EAST OF NEW KENSINGTON...SOUTHERN
JEFFERSON COUNTY EAST OF PUNXSUTAWNEY AND JUST NORTH OF KITTANNING. IF
IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY IN A STURDY BUILDING.
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNTIL THE
STORM HAS PASSED.

OTHER THUNDERSTORMS ARE LOCATED BETWEEN CANTON OHIO AND MORAINE STATE PARK.
ONE INCH RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR ARE BEING REPORTED
IN THE STORMS IN WESTMORELAND AND BUTLER COUNTIES. DO NOT TRY TO CROSS
BRIDGES...DIPS...OR LOW SPOTS IF WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY...EVEN IF IT
APPEARS TO BE SHALLOW.  TO ESCAPE RISING WATER MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
CAMPERS SHOULD TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS BECAUSE CREEKS CAN INUNDATE AREAS
WITHIN MINUTES.

ALONG WITH THE FLOODING THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY
GUSTY WINDS...POSSIBLE LARGE HAIL AND DANfGEROUS LIGHTING.

LAG/RWH/REL/MF/JP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 8, 8:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBeaver60 min
Aug 8, 8:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver60 min
Aug 8, 8:18 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBeaver, Butler57 min
Aug 8, 8:18 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZBeaver, Butler57 min
Aug 8, 8:36 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZArmstrong69 min
Aug 8, 8:36 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZArmstrong69 min
Aug 8, 9:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBeaver, Butler104 min
Aug 8, 9:20 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBeaver, Butler100 min
Aug 8, 9:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver, Butler100 min
Aug 8, 9:35 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZAllegheny85 min
Aug 8, 9:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny85 min
Aug 8, 11:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZCambria, Clearfield, Indiana, Westmoreland3 hr
Aug 8, 11:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZFayette3 hr
Aug 8, 11:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZCambria, Clearfield, Indiana, Westmoreland3 hr
Aug 8, 11:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Beaver3 hr
Aug 8, 11:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette3 hr
Aug 9, 12:15 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZSomerset105 min
Aug 9, 12:15 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZSomerset105 min
Aug 9, 2:00 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZFayette3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 1992Every flash flood warning in 1992

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.