Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1994

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 81, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

July 26, 1994Chester County, Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 26, 1994, 2:26 PM EDT for Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 64 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 26, 1994, 2:26 PM EDT (18:26 UTC)
Expired
Jul 26, 1994, 3:30 PM EDT
In force
64 min
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Whole counties

County Chester County, PA

The nearest sounding before it

Atlantic City In, NJ (KACY), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 122 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, Atlantic City In, NJ at 12:00Z on 1994-07-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 914 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, Atlantic City In, NJ at 12:00Z on 1994-07-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 44 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
914 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-79 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
985 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
44 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
2.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KPHL 261829 RRA
SVRPHL
PAC029-261930-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHILADELPHIA/MOUNT HOLLY NJ
226 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHILADELPHIA/MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  330 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA
 
   ...CHESTER COUNTY
 
AT 225 PM RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF VERY HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS ALONG THE
LANCASTER/CHESTER COUNTY LINE AND THEY CONTINUE TO INTENSITY.
 
A REPORT WAS RECEIVED FROM VALLEY TOWNSHIP OF 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH HAIL AND
TORRENTIAL RAIN. THE STORM WAS MOVING SLOWLY NORTHEAST 15 TO 20 MPH.
 
THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM.  IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNED AREA...PREPARE
FOR STRONG DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND DEADLY
LIGHTNING.  SHOULD THE STORM APPROACH YOU...SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER
INDOORS...BUT DO NOT STAND NEAR WINDOWS.  MOBILE HOMES ARE MOST
VULNERABLE TO HIGH WINDS AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
 
EBERWINE
 
 
&

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, Jul 26, 1:45 PM EDT, 41 minutes before
NJZ019>026-501-260115-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATLANTIC CITY NJ
145 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ALL OF NEW JERSEY UNTIL 9 PM...

AT 130 PM...THE ATLANTIC CITY WEATHER RADAR SHOWED NUMEROUS SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...SOUTHEAST MARYLAND
AND SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THESE STORMS HAVE THE POSSIBILTY
OF PRODUCING STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING AND VERY
HEAVY RAINS.

THE WATCH INCLUDES THE COUNTIES OF ATLANTIC...CAPE MAY...OCEAN
CUMBERLAND...BURLINGTON AND THE ADJOINING COASTAL WATERS.

THE MOVEMENT WAS TOWARD THE NORTHEAST AROUND 25 MILES AN HOUR.

PM
Special weather statement, Jul 26, 1:56 PM EDT, 30 minutes before
NJZ019>026-501-260115-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATLANTIC CITY NJ
145 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ALL OF NEW JERSEY UNTIL 9 PM...

AT 130 PM...THE ATLANTIC CITY WEATHER RADAR SHOWED NUMEROUS SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...SOUTHEAST MARYLAND
AND SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THESE STORMS HAVE THE POSSIBILTY
OF PRODUCING STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING AND VERY
HEAVY RAINS.

THE WATCH INCLUDES THE COUNTIES OF ATLANTIC...CAPE MAY...OCEAN
CUMBERLAND...BURLINGTON AND THE ADJOINING COASTAL WATERS.

THE MOVEMENT WAS TOWARD THE NORTHEAST AROUND 25 MILES AN HOUR.

PM
Special weather statement, Jul 26, 2:05 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
PAZ058-060>062-262000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALLENTOWN PA
205 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
AND THE POCONOS UNTIL 9PM THIS EVENING...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR BERKS...LEHIGH AND
NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES AS WELL AS CARBON...SCHUYLKILL...MONROE AND PIKE
COUNTIES UNTIL 9PM THIS EVENING.

A COLD FRONT OVER WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS MOVING EASTWARD INTO THE HUMID
AND UNSTABLE AIR ACROSS EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EASTERN
AND SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA AS WELL AS MUCH OF NEW JERSEY.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR AT 155PM WAS SHOWING A BAND OF SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA NORTHEASTWARD THROUGH
THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY...PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...THE POCONOS
...AND THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PENNSYLVANIA.  THE STORMS ARE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 30 MILES PER HOUR.  THE STRONGEST STORMS WERE LOCATED
FROM READING TO LANCASTER.  THESE STORMS HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS.

SEEK SHELTER IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES.  DO NOT USE UNNECESSARY
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES...INCLUDING THE TELEPHONE UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

MILLER
Special weather statement, Jul 26, 2:07 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
PAZ058-060>062-262000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALLENTOWN PA
205 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
AND THE POCONOS UNTIL 9PM THIS EVENING...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR BERKS...LEHIGH AND
NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES AS WELL AS CARBON...SCHUYLKILL...MONROE AND PIKE
COUNTIES UNTIL 9PM THIS EVENING.

A COLD FRONT OVER WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS MOVING EASTWARD INTO THE HUMID
AND UNSTABLE AIR ACROSS EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.  CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EASTERN
AND SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA AS WELL AS MUCH OF NEW JERSEY.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR AT 155PM WAS SHOWING A BAND OF SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA NORTHEASTWARD THROUGH
THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY...PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...THE POCONOS
...AND THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF PENNSYLVANIA.  THE STORMS ARE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 30 MILES PER HOUR.  THE STRONGEST STORMS WERE LOCATED
FROM READING TO LANCASTER.  THESE STORMS HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS.

SEEK SHELTER IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES.  DO NOT USE UNNECESSARY
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES...INCLUDING THE TELEPHONE UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

MILLER
Special weather statement, Jul 26, 2:22 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
PAZ067-071-262200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - THUNDERSTORMS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHILADELPHIA/MOUNT HOLLY NJ
222 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994

...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING RAPIDLY OVER SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...

AT 215 PM RADAR SHOWED RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS IN SOUTHEAST
PENNSYLVANIA WITH THE HEAVIEST ALONG THE LANCASTER/CHESTER COUNTY LINE.

RADAR SHOWED THE STRONGEST STORM BETWEEN HIGHWAYS 30 AND 1 OR JUST TO
THE WEST OF COATSVILLE. THE STORMS WERE MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT
20 MPH.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR CHESTER COUNTY AS WELL AS A
GOOD PART OF SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA UNTIL 9 PM EDT. ANY STORMS THAT DO
FORM COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS...HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT
LIGHTNING.

MANY OTHER STORMS WILL BE FORMING FOR THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND
EVENING HOURS. SO STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

EBERWINE
Special weather statement, Jul 26, 2:24 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
PAZ067-071-262200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - THUNDERSTORMS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHILADELPHIA/MOUNT HOLLY NJ
222 PM EDT TUE JUL 26 1994

...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING RAPIDLY OVER SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...

AT 215 PM RADAR SHOWED RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS IN SOUTHEAST
PENNSYLVANIA WITH THE HEAVIEST ALONG THE LANCASTER/CHESTER COUNTY LINE.

RADAR SHOWED THE STRONGEST STORM BETWEEN HIGHWAYS 30 AND 1 OR JUST TO
THE WEST OF COATSVILLE. THE STORMS WERE MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT
20 MPH.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR CHESTER COUNTY AS WELL AS A
GOOD PART OF SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA UNTIL 9 PM EDT. ANY STORMS THAT DO
FORM COULD PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS...HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT
LIGHTNING.

MANY OTHER STORMS WILL BE FORMING FOR THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND
EVENING HOURS. SO STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

EBERWINE

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 1994Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1994

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.