Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1998
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 63, NWS State College, PA
NWS State College, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 1998, 3:58 PM EDT for Potter County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 32 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 31, 1998, 3:58 PM EDT (19:58 UTC)
- Expired
- May 31, 1998, 4:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 32 min
- Issued by
- NWS State College, PA
- Area
- Whole counties
County Potter County, PA
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 4:00 PM EDT | Hail 0.88 | Wharton, PA | Nickel size hail fell in Wharton. |
| May 31, 4:05 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind 51 | Burtville, PA | Trees were blown down in Summit Township near Borie. |
NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 3:30 PM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 237 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1035 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -145 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1038 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 198 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 281 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.3
- Supercell composite
- 4.7
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
775 WUUS01 KCTP 311956 RRA SVRCTP PAC105-312030- BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 358 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... POTTER COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA * UNTIL 430 PM EDT * AT 358 PM EDT... STATE COLLEGE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES EAST OF EMPORIUM MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. * THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... CHERRY SPRINGS BY 405 PM EDT OLE BULL STATE PARK BY 410 PM EDT GALETON BY 420 PM EDT THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM STAY INDOORS AWAY FROM WINDOWS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH... DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY. DONT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. OSTUNO/LACORTE
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.
NWS State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 31, 3:00 PM EDT, 58 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 31, 3:00 PM EDT, 58 minutes before
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 3 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 ...MESOSCALE AND CONVECTIVE DISCUSSION... STRONG CELLS HAVE AT LEAST TEMPORARILY EXITED NRN PART OF STATE WITH SOME REPORTED HAIL AROUND 3/4 DIAMETER. MESO ANAL SHOWS OUTFLOW BOUNDARY SLIDING SE THRU NRN PA...AS A QUIET FEATURE SO FAR. OF CONCERN IS STRONG CONFLUENT ZONE AND AXIS OF HIGH MOISTURE SETTING UP OVER SUSQ VALLEY. SFC WINDS ARE GUSTING OUT OF THE SOUTH HELPING POOL DEWPOINTS NEAR 70 RESULTING IN SFC BASED CAPES NEARING 3000 J/KG. MODEL OUTPUT AND MESO ANAL FROM PSU SUGGEST CAP IS WEAKEST IN THIS AREA. SATELLITE TIMING SUGGESTS WE ARE ABOUT AN HOUR AWAY FROM NRN OUTFLOW BOUNDARY SWEEPING INTO THIS CONFLUENT ZONE. HARD TO SAY IF THIS WILL TRIGGER ACTIVITY OR IF CELLS JUST DECIDE TO FORM IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT. OTHERWISE IT APPEARS AS IF MAIN ACTION WILL BE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS OHIO VALLEY CONVECTION SWINGS EAST INTO THE REGION. 18Z SFC ANAL SHOWS STARK WIND SHIFT ASSOC WITH COLD FRONT/SQUALL LINE. MODELS SHOW STRONG UPPER SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF A POTENT LOBE OF HIGH PV AIR SLIDING EAST ACCOMPANYING A COUPLED UPPER JET FEATURE. THE RETREATING RIGHT ENTRANCE REGION OF THE NRN BRANCH IS MADE TO CREATE A BULLS EYE OF STRONG DIVERGENCE OVER MUCH OF PA BY 00Z. MODEL SEEMS TO BE USING GENERATED CONVECTIVE PRECIP TO TIGHTEN UPPER HGHT FIELD WHICH IN TURN RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT INTENSIFICATION OF THE JET STREAK AND ITS DIVERGENCE FIELD. BOTTOM LINE IS STAGE IS BEING SET FOR LATE DAY ROUND OF SEVERE CONVECTION. RIGHT NOW SHEAR IN LOW LEVELS SUPPORTS POSSIBLE ROTATING THUNDERSTORMS...BUT MODEL OUTPUT FROM MESO ETA AND BUFKIT SOUNDINGS SUGGEST WE LOSE HELICITY RAPIDLY LATER IN THE DAY AND EVENING. THIS LEANS TWD THREAT CHANGING FROM SUPERCELLS TO BOW ECHOES AND MAINLY STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. LA CORTE
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 31, 1:23 PM EDT, 2 hours 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PENNSYLVANIA
123 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0115 PM LOTTSVILLE PA .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 WARRENLocal storm report, May 31, 1:23 PM EDT, 2 hours 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PENNSYLVANIA
123 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0115 PM LOTTSVILLE PA .75 INCH HAIL
05/31/98 WARRENSpecial weather statement, May 31, 2:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
PAZ037-041-042-046-010050- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - TORNADO WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 250 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 ...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA... THE WATCH INCLUDES TIOGA...SULLIVAN...AND LYCOMING COUNTIES. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH. SOME STORMS MAY CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS... DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND TORNADOES. PERSONS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR SEVERE WEATHER...AND SEEK SHELTER IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED OR SEVERE WEATHER IS SIGHTED. MARTIN
Special weather statement, May 31, 2:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
PAZ037-041-042-046-010050- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - TORNADO WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 250 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 ...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA... THE WATCH INCLUDES TIOGA...SULLIVAN...AND LYCOMING COUNTIES. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH. SOME STORMS MAY CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS... DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND TORNADOES. PERSONS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR SEVERE WEATHER...AND SEEK SHELTER IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED OR SEVERE WEATHER IS SIGHTED. MARTIN
Special weather statement, May 31, 3:26 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
PAZ004>006-010>012-017-037-041-042-045-046-010220- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - TORNADO WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 326 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 ...A TORNADO WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT FOR MUCH OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA... THIS WATCH INCLUDES WARREN...MCKEAN...POTTER... ELK...CAMERON...CLEARFIELD...AND CLINTON COUNTIES. ...IN ADDITION...A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR TIOGA...SULLIVAN...AND LYCOMING COUNTIES IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH 8 PM... SEVERE STORMS ARE LIKELY IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREAS. SOME STORMS MAY CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND TORNAODES. PERSONS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT AND SEEK SHELTER IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED OR SEVERE WEATHER IS OBSERVED. MARTIN
Special weather statement, May 31, 3:26 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
PAZ004>006-010>012-017-037-041-042-045-046-010220- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT - TORNADO WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 326 PM EDT SUN MAY 31 1998 ...A TORNADO WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT FOR MUCH OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA... THIS WATCH INCLUDES WARREN...MCKEAN...POTTER... ELK...CAMERON...CLEARFIELD...AND CLINTON COUNTIES. ...IN ADDITION...A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR TIOGA...SULLIVAN...AND LYCOMING COUNTIES IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH 8 PM... SEVERE STORMS ARE LIKELY IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREAS. SOME STORMS MAY CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND TORNAODES. PERSONS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREAS SHOULD BE ALERT AND SEEK SHELTER IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED OR SEVERE WEATHER IS OBSERVED. MARTIN
The office that day
Everything else NWS State College, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 12:50 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Warren | 60 min |
| May 31, 1:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | McKean | 61 min |
| May 31, 3:29 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Cameron | 46 min |
| May 31, 4:25 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Lycoming, Sullivan | 65 min |
| May 31, 5:12 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Warren | 48 min |
| May 31, 5:22 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Lycoming | 33 min |
| May 31, 5:35 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Columbia, Sullivan | 50 min |
| May 31, 6:26 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | McKean | 34 min |
| May 31, 6:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Warren | 61 min |
| May 31, 6:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Potter | 65 min |
| May 31, 7:07 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Elk, McKean | 63 min |
| May 31, 7:20 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Tioga | 65 min |
| May 31, 7:20 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Cameron | 65 min |
| May 31, 7:28 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Elk | 62 min |
| May 31, 7:35 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Tioga | 50 min |
| May 31, 7:53 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | CTP | Cameron | 62 min |
| May 31, 7:56 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CTP | Potter | 64 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 1998Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1998
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.