Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2003
Flash Flood Warning 73, NWS Pittsburgh, PA
NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2003, 3:33 PM EDT for Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 4, 2003, 3:33 PM EDT (19:33 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 4, 2003, 6:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Pittsburgh, PA
- Area
- Whole counties
County Mercer County, PA
The radar
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:35 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 7.6 hours before the alert went out and 222 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
- 221 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -115 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1323 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 15 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 92 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 140 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.4
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000 WGUS51 KPBZ 041937 FFWPBZ PAC085-042230- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED FLASH FLOOD WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 333 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... MERCER COUNTY IN PENNSYLVANIA * UNTIL 630 PM EDT * AT 333 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAINFALL OVER MERCER COUNTY NEAR THE TOWN OF MERCER. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING TO THE WEST AND WILL MOVE OVER AREAS THAT HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED HEAVY RAIN. * OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...GREENVILLE...MERCER AND STONEBORO... <<CALL TO ACTION>>THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION...IF YOUR OUTDOOR HOLIDAY PLANS INCLUDE ACTIVITIES NEAR A STREAM OR CREEK...WATER MAY RISE RAPIDLY AND LEAVE LITTLE TIME TO REACH HIGHER GROUND. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. VEHICLES CAUGHT IN RISING WATER SHOULD BE ABANDONED IMMEDIATELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND. PLEASE REPORT HIGH WATER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE...1-877-633-6772.
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.
NWS Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 4, 11:43 AM EDT, 3 hours 50 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 11:43 AM EDT, 3 hours 50 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 1140 EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 UPDATED ZONE FORECASTS PER SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. RECENT RADAR DATA SHOWS LINEAR MCS NEAR OHIO-INDIANA BORDER, MOVING EAST-SOUTHEAST AT 40 KNOTS. THIS MOVEMENT, COUPLED WITH RUC SHOWING INCREASED INSTABILITY PER DEW POINTS AROUND 70, WILL PUT STORMS AS FAR AS THE OHIO-PENNSYLVANIA BORDER BY 4-5 PM. SO, ADDED WORDING ABOUT STRONG WIND GUSTS AND HEAVY RAIN WITH STORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON. ...REST UNCHANGED. ...GIORDANO .PBZ... MD...NONE. OH...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR TODAY FOR ZONES OHZ039>041. PA...NONE. WV...NONE. LAG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 5:50 AM EDT, 9 hours 43 minutes before
MDZ001-OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023- 029>032-WVZ001>004-012-021>023-041-031150- HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 550 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA EAST CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND GARRETT COUNTY MARYLAND. .DAY ONE...TODAY THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA...MAINLY NORTH OF PITTSBURGH...AND IN NORTHERN PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL OHIO FROM COSHOCTON TO CARROLLTON TO EAST PALESTINE. THE GREATEST THREAT FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE STRONG DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN. DANGEROUS LIGHTNING AND HAIL ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN... THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT...MAINLY SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80 IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA...AND FOR ALL OF EAST CENTRAL OHIO...EXTREME NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND GARRETT COUNTY MARYLAND. AGAIN THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE STRONG DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN. ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE REGION AGAIN TUESDAY AS A COLD FRONT MOVES INTO THE AREA. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NECESSARY FOR TONIGHT.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 11:41 AM EDT, 3 hours 52 minutes before
PAZ029-031-032-WVZ003-004-041645- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 1141 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 ...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE REGION... THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING AND MOVING ACROSS THE REGION THIS HOLIDAY. THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY IS MOVING THROUGH EASTERN OHIO INTO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PENNSYLVANIA. THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME OVER THE ENTIRE REGION TODAY. IF YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS INCLUDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH MAY APPROACH ONE INCH IN AN HOURS TIME...GUSTY WINDS TO 35 MPH...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND HAIL ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IF YOU ARE DRIVING AS THERE MAY BE PONDING OF WATER ON THE ROADWAYS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN. IF YOU EXPERIENCE HIGH WATER OR HAIL...PLEASE REPORT THESE CONDITIONS BY CALLING 1-877-633-6772. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.
Local storm report, Jul 4, 12:45 PM EDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA
1245 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
1240 PM REPUBLIC PA WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03 FAYETTE LARGE TREES BLOWN DOWN.
REPORTED BY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENTSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 1:44 PM EDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
PAZ007-008-041845- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 144 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 ...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE REGION... THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING AND MOVING ACROSS THE REGION THIS HOLIDAY AFTERNOON. THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY IS MOVING THROUGH NORTH EASTERN OHIO INTO NORTH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME OVER THE ENTIRE REGION TODAY. IF YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS INCLUDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH MAY APPROACH ONE INCH IN AN HOURS TIME...GUSTY WINDS TO 35 MPH...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND HAIL ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IF YOU ARE DRIVING AS THERE MAY BE PONDING OF WATER ON THE ROADWAYS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN. IF YOU EXPERIENCE HIGH WATER OR HAIL...PLEASE REPORT THESE CONDITIONS BY CALLING 1-877-633-6772. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.
Local storm report, Jul 4, 2:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA
231 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003
TIME(EDT) .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0200 PM 2 NW MORGANTOWN WV WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03 MONONGALIA LARGE TREES AND POWER
LINES BLOWN DOWN NEAR STAR
CITYREPORTED BY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
0205 PM 3 W GREENVILLE PA WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03 MERCER LARGE TREES BLOWN DOWN
NEAR MAYSVILLEREPORTED BY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTSpecial weather statement, Jul 4, 2:57 PM EDT, 36 minutes before
MDZ001-WVZ041-042100- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 257 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 ...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE REGION... THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING ACROSS THE AREA THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY. THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY IS CURRENTLY IN PRESTON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA AND WILL MOVE INTO TUCKER COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA AND GARRETT COUNTY MARYLAND IN THE NEXT HOUR OR SO. IF YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS INCLUDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH MAY APPROACH ONE INCH IN AN HOURS TIME...GUSTY WINDS TO 35 MPH...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND HAIL ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IF YOU ARE DRIVING AS THERE MAY BE PONDING OF WATER ON THE ROADWAYS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY IN HEAVY RAIN. IF YOU EXPERIENCE HIGH WATER OR HAIL...PLEASE REPORT THESE CONDITIONS BY CALLING 1-877-633-6772. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES. TYBURSKI
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 3:05 PM EDT, 28 minutes before
OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023- 029>032-WVZ001>004-012-021-022-050100- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 305 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES... IN PENNSYLVANIA... ALLEGHENY ARMSTRONG BEAVER BUTLER CLARION FAYETTE FOREST GREENE INDIANA JEFFERSON LAWRENCE MERCER VENANGO WASHINGTON WESTMORELAND IN WEST VIRGINIA... BROOKE HANCOCK MARION MARSHALL MONONGALIA OHIO WETZEL IN OHIO... BELMONT CARROLL COLUMBIANA COSHOCTON GUERNSEY HARRISON JEFFERSON MONROE MUSKINGUM NOBLE TUSCARAWAS <<< CALL TO ACTION >>> A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA...PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS..LARGE HAIL..AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 4, 12:32 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Fayette | 58 min |
| Jul 4, 1:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Greene | 62 min |
| Jul 4, 1:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Mercer | 63 min |
| Jul 4, 2:53 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Mercer | 67 min |
| Jul 4, 3:18 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Butler | 57 min |
| Jul 4, 3:34 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Lawrence | 56 min |
| Jul 4, 4:10 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Lawrence | 3 hr |
| Jul 4, 4:11 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Butler | 64 min |
| Jul 4, 4:32 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Butler | 3 hr |
| Jul 4, 5:21 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Beaver | 54 min |
| Jul 4, 5:53 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Allegheny | 67 min |
| Jul 4, 6:07 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Allegheny | 3 hr |
| Jul 4, 6:17 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Washington | 58 min |
| Jul 4, 6:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Westmoreland | 63 min |
| Jul 4, 6:49 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Fayette | 56 min |
| Jul 4, 7:12 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Westmoreland | 3 hr |
| Jul 4, 7:19 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Fayette | 3 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2003Every flash flood warning in 2003
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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.