Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 1993

Flash Flood Warning 32, NWS State College, PA

April 16, 1993Centre County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Apr 16, 1993, 9:52 PM EDT for Centre County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 12 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 16, 1993, 9:52 PM EDT (01:52 UTC)
Expired
Apr 17, 1993, 10:00 AM EDT
In force
12 hr
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Whole counties

County Centre County, PA

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 200 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 1993-04-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 1993-04-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -28 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1175 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
71 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-28 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
143 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 KHAR 170154
FFWHAR
PAC027-171400-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HARRISBURG PA
952 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HARRISBURG HAS ISSUED A
FLOOD WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1000 AM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION......
 
IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
 
   ...CENTRE COUNTY
 
AN ADDITIONAL INCH OF RAIN HAS FALLEN IN MANY AREAS OF CENTRE COUNTY
OVER THE PAST 3 HOURS. RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE PAST 24 HOURS HAVE RANGED
FROM 1.5 INCHES IN EASTERN CENTRE COUNTY TO 3.4 INCHES IN THE WEST. THIS
RAINFALL IS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND
CREEKS ACROSS THE COUNTY.
 
THE FLOOD WARNING INCLUDES BALD EAGLE CREEK WHICH IS FORECAST TO CREST A12 TO 13 FEET SATURDAY MORNING.  FLOOD STAGE IS 11 FEET.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE FLOOD WARNING IS PENNS CREEK WHICH IS FORECAST TO
CREST AT 8.5 TO 9.5 FEET SATURDAY MORNING. FLOOD STAGE IS 8 FEET.
FLOODING ALONG MOSHANNON CREEK AND ITS TRIBUTARIES...INCLUDING THE
PHILLIPSBURG AREA IS ALSO LIKELY.
 
BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE
THE DANGERS OF FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS. IF FLASH FLOODING IS
OBSERVED...ACT QUICKLY. MOVE UP TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT
STAY IN AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS TO RISE.
 
 
 
&

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, Apr 16, 8:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
PAZ007-008-014-170100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILLIAMSPORT PA
950 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993

...FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR LYCOMING...BRADFORD AND CLINTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 10 PM EDT...

...TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT....

...SMALL STREAM FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES OVERNIGHT...

THE FLOOD WARNING FOR STREAMS AND CREEKS CONTINUES UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR LYCOMING...CLINTON AND BRADFORD COUNTIES. A FEW OF THE SMALLER
CREEKS AND STREAMS IN THESE COUNTIES CONTINUE TO FLOW OUT OF THERE
BANKS. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THIS AREA
DURNING THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS WHICH WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE FLOODING
WHICH IS ALREADY OCCURRING.

PERSONS LIVING IN ANY FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
SHOULD BE ALERT FOR RISING WATERS AND MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF
FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

THE TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA UNTIL 11 PM EDT. THE WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...LYCOMING...CLINTON...SULLIVAN...TIOGA... AND BRADFORD.

AT 845 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. THIS LINE
EXTENDED FROM COUDERSPORT TO STATE COLLEGE THEN TO HAGERSTOWN
MARYLAND. THE HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM STATE COLLEGE TO
THE MARYLAND BORDER. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15
TO 20 MPH. AS THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS THEY COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES. VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS AND THIS COULD PRODUCE FLOODING
OF LOWLANDS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

FJG/KJF
Special weather statement, Apr 16, 8:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
PAZ007-008-014-170100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTION...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILLIAMSPORT PA
850 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993

...FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR LYCOMING...BRADFORD AND CLINTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 10 PM EDT...

...TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT....

...SMALL STREAM FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES OVERNIGHT...

THE FLOOD WARNING FOR STREAMS AND CREEKS CONTINUES UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR LYCOMING...CLINTON AND BRADFORD COUNTIES. A FEW OF THE SMALLER
CREEKS AND STREAMS IN THESE COUNTIES CONTINUE TO FLOW OUT OF THEIR
BANKS. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THIS AREA
DURNING THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS WHICH WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE FLOODING
WHICH IS ALREADY OCCURRING.

PERSONS LIVING IN ANY FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
SHOULD BE ALERT FOR RISING WATERS AND MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF
FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

THE TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA UNTIL 11 PM EDT. THE WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...LYCOMING...CLINTON...SULLIVAN...TIOGA... AND BRADFORD.

AT 845 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. THIS LINE
EXTENDED FROM COUDERSPORT TO STATE COLLEGE THEN TO HAGERSTOWN
MARYLAND. THE HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM STATE COLLEGE TO
THE MARYLAND BORDER. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15
TO 20 MPH. AS THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS THEY COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES. VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS AND THIS COULD PRODUCE FLOODING
OF LOWLANDS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

COR FOR TIME IN HEADER
FJG/KJF
Special weather statement, Apr 16, 8:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
PAZ007-008-014-170100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTION...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILLIAMSPORT PA
850 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993

...FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR LYCOMING...BRADFORD AND CLINTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 10 PM EDT...

...TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT....

...SMALL STREAM FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES OVERNIGHT...

THE FLOOD WARNING FOR STREAMS AND CREEKS CONTINUES UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR LYCOMING...CLINTON AND BRADFORD COUNTIES. A FEW OF THE SMALLER
CREEKS AND STREAMS IN THESE COUNTIES CONTINUE TO FLOW OUT OF THEIR
BANKS. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THIS AREA
DURNING THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS WHICH WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE FLOODING
WHICH IS ALREADY OCCURRING.

PERSONS LIVING IN ANY FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
SHOULD BE ALERT FOR RISING WATERS AND MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF
FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

THE TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA UNTIL 11 PM EDT. THE WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...LYCOMING...CLINTON...SULLIVAN...TIOGA... AND BRADFORD.

AT 845 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. THIS LINE
EXTENDED FROM COUDERSPORT TO STATE COLLEGE THEN TO HAGERSTOWN
MARYLAND. THE HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM STATE COLLEGE TO
THE MARYLAND BORDER. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15
TO 20 MPH. AS THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS THEY COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES. VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS AND THIS COULD PRODUCE FLOODING
OF LOWLANDS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

COR FOR TIME IN HEADER
FJG/KJF
Special weather statement, Apr 16, 9:00 PM EDT, 52 minutes before
PAZ006-008-009-013-170400-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...THUNDERSTORMS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HARRISBURG PA
900 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993

...TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 1100 PM FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHCENTRAL MOUNTAINS
   THE MIDDLE AND LOWER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY AND PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL PA.
...FLOOD WARNINGS FOR HUNTINGDON COUNTY UNTIL 1215 AN EDT...
...A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS...AND
   THE LOWER AND MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY UNTIL 1000 PM...

AT 850 PM HARRISBURG RADAR SHOWED THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHCENTRAL MOUNTAINS
IN FULTON, FRNAKLIN HUNTINDON AND CENTRE COUNTIES. THIS AREA IS MOVING SLOWLY
EAST AT ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH. HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDS FROM AROUND THE
STATE COLLEGE AREA IN CENTRE COUNTY SOUTH TO THE MARTINSBURG AREA OF WVA.
THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING INTO THE WESTERN AREAS OF THE LOWER AND
MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY BETWEEN 9 AND 10 PM. MARBLE SIZE HAIL AS BEEN
REPORTED IN NORTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY. 3/4 TO 1 INCH HAIL EARLY IN BEDFORD
COUNTY. ALL THE THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS AND CAUSE
FURTHER FLOODING IN LOW LYING AREAS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS

IF THREATING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA MOVE QUICKLY TO A SAFE
AREA. DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS ROADWAYS COVERED WITH WATER.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TV AND RADIO STATIONS FOR THE
LATEST STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

HURLEY
Special weather statement, Apr 16, 9:01 PM EDT, 51 minutes before
PAZ006-008-009-013-170400-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...THUNDERSTORMS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HARRISBURG PA
900 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993

...TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 1100 PM FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHCENTRAL MOUNTAINS
   THE MIDDLE AND LOWER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY AND PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL PA.
...FLOOD WARNINGS FOR HUNTINGDON COUNTY UNTIL 1215 AN EDT...
...A FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS...AND
   THE LOWER AND MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY UNTIL 1000 PM...

AT 850 PM HARRISBURG RADAR SHOWED THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHCENTRAL MOUNTAINS
IN FULTON, FRNAKLIN HUNTINDON AND CENTRE COUNTIES. THIS AREA IS MOVING SLOWLY
EAST AT ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH. HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDS FROM AROUND THE
STATE COLLEGE AREA IN CENTRE COUNTY SOUTH TO THE MARTINSBURG AREA OF WVA.
THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING INTO THE WESTERN AREAS OF THE LOWER AND
MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY BETWEEN 9 AND 10 PM. MARBLE SIZE HAIL AS BEEN
REPORTED IN NORTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY. 3/4 TO 1 INCH HAIL EARLY IN BEDFORD
COUNTY. ALL THE THUNDERSTORMS COULD PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS AND CAUSE
FURTHER FLOODING IN LOW LYING AREAS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS

IF THREATING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA MOVE QUICKLY TO A SAFE
AREA. DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS ROADWAYS COVERED WITH WATER.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TV AND RADIO STATIONS FOR THE
LATEST STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

HURLEY
Special weather statement, Apr 16, 9:50 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
PAZ007-008-014-170100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILLIAMSPORT PA
950 PM EDT FRI APR 16 1993

...FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR LYCOMING...BRADFORD AND CLINTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 10 PM EDT...

...TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT....

...SMALL STREAM FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES OVERNIGHT...

THE FLOOD WARNING FOR STREAMS AND CREEKS CONTINUES UNTIL 1000 PM EDT
FOR LYCOMING...CLINTON AND BRADFORD COUNTIES. A FEW OF THE SMALLER
CREEKS AND STREAMS IN THESE COUNTIES CONTINUE TO FLOW OUT OF THERE
BANKS. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THIS AREA
DURNING THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS WHICH WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE FLOODING
WHICH IS ALREADY OCCURRING.

PERSONS LIVING IN ANY FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
SHOULD BE ALERT FOR RISING WATERS AND MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF
FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

THE TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA UNTIL 11 PM EDT. THE WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...LYCOMING...CLINTON...SULLIVAN...TIOGA... AND BRADFORD.

AT 845 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. THIS LINE
EXTENDED FROM COUDERSPORT TO STATE COLLEGE THEN TO HAGERSTOWN
MARYLAND. THE HEAVIEST THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED FROM STATE COLLEGE TO
THE MARYLAND BORDER. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15
TO 20 MPH. AS THESE THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH NORTHCENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS THEY COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES. VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS AND THIS COULD PRODUCE FLOODING
OF LOWLANDS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

FJG/KJF

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 16, 8:07 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPHuntingdon4 hr
Apr 16, 11:55 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPHuntingdon6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 1993Every flash flood warning in 1993

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.