Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2003

Flash Flood Warning 76, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

July 4, 2003Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2003, 6:07 PM EDT for Allegheny 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, 6:07 PM EDT (22:07 UTC)
Expired: Jul 4, 2003, 9:00 PM EDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area: Whole counties

County Allegheny County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 21 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:08 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

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 278 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 61 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -142 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1310 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 6 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 21 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 11 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 
WGUS51 KPBZ 042214
FFWPBZ
PAC003-050100-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
607 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  ALLEGHENY COUNTY IN PENNSYLVANIA

* UNTIL 900 PM EDT

* AT 607 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED VERY 
HEAVY RAIN MOVING THROUGH THE NORTHERN PORTION OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...ASPINWALL...BELL          
  ACRES...  BEN AVON...BLAWNOX...BRADDOCK...DRAVOSBURG...EAST
  PITTSBURGH ...EDGEWORTH...EMSWORTH...HEIDELBERG...IMPERIAL...
  RANKIN...STURGEON-NOBLESTOWN...WEST MIFFLIN...WEST HOMESTEAD       
  AND WHITAKER...

<<CALL TO ACTION>>THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.  IF YOUR HOLIDAY 
PLANS INCLUDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN AND NEAR STREAMS AND CREEKS...YO 
MAY HAVE LITTLE TIME TO MOVE TO 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 QUICKLY. MOVE TO HIGHER 
GROUND.

PLEASE REPORT HIGH WATER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING
TOLL FREE...1-877-633-6772.

TYBURSKI

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, 5:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 5:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
505 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

ZONE FORECAST UPDATED TO EXPAND FLOOD WATCH TO THE MASON-DIXON LINE
IN PENNSYLVANIA AND ALSO ADJOINING OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA COUNTIES
ON THE OHIO RIVER.

EAST-WEST BAND OF STORMS MOVING SOUTH AT 20 KNOTS...WILL MERGE WITH
NORTH-SOUTH BAND OF STORMS MOVING EAST OF 40 KNOTS. THIS MERGER WILL
ENHANCE HIGH WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN WITH THE THUNDERSTORMS. MERGER OF
THUNDERSTORMS CAN AFFECT THE PITTSBURGH AND WASHINGTON AREAS UNTIL
7-730 PM...AND THE GREENSBURG AND UNIONTOWN AREAS BETWEEN 630-830PM.
...GIORDANO

.PBZ...
MD...NONE.
OH...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 9 PM.
     FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 9 PM EXTREME EAST.
PA...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 9 PM.
     FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 9 PM..
WV...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 9 PM.
     FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 9 PM NORTHERN PANHANDLE.

LAG

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 4, 5:50 AM EDT, 12 hours 17 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, 4:45 PM EDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before

PAZ031-032-042145-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
445 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE AREA...

THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING ACROSS THE REGION THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY
AFTERNOON.  THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY IS MOVING THROUGH EASTERN GREENE
COUNTY AND WILL MOVE INTO FAYETTE COUNTY IN THE NEXT 45 MINUTES.
ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA LATER THIS
AFTERNOON.

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

Local storm report, Jul 4, 4:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA
452 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0430 PM    EVANS CITY                PA   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   BUTLER                         15-20 LARGE TREES DOWN ON
                                          ROUTE 68 NEAR EVANS CITY.
                                          REPORTED BY SKYWARN
                                          SPOTTERS

0445 PM    NEW CASTLE                PA   FLASH FLOODS
07/04/03   LAWRENCE                       BLACKTOP AND BRICKS LIFTED
                                          OFF OF DELEWARE AVENUE.

0445 PM    NEW CASTLE                PA   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   LAWRENCE                       TREE UPROOTED FELL ON
                                          HOUSE AT LEISURE AND
                                          HIGHLAND STREET. TREE
                                          BLOCKING ROAD AND PULLED
                                          POWER LINES DOWN ON WINTER
                                          STREET BETWEEN HIGHLAND AND
                                          CARLISLE.REPORTED BY
                                          SKYWARN SPOTTERS

Special weather statement, Jul 4, 5:23 PM EDT, 44 minutes before

MDZ001-OHZ050-059-069-PAZ021>023-029>032-WVZ001>004-012-021>023-041-
042315-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
523 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE REGION...

THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING ACROSS EAST CENTRAL OHIO THIS EVENING AND WILL
AFFECT THE REGION OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE HOURS. THESE STORMS HAVE
HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL...HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND
FLOODING.

IF YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS INCLUDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...PLEASE BE PREPARED
FOR RAPIDLY DETERIORATING CONDITIONS.  IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAINFALL
WHICH MAY APPROACH ONE TO ONE-AND-A-HALF INCHES IN AN HOURS
TIME...GUSTY WINDS TO 35 MPH...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND HAIL ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES...MOVE TO A STURDY BUILDING
WITHOUT DELAY. 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.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER
DETAILS OR UPDATES.

Local storm report, Jul 4, 5:38 PM EDT, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA
538 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0500 PM    WALHONDING                OH   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   COSHOCTON                      LARGE TREES DOWNREPORTED
                                          BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

0519 PM    SALEM                     OH   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   COLUMBIANA                     TREES DOWN REPORTED BY
                                          EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

0515 PM    MALVERN                   OHIO   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   CARROLL                        TREES DOWN REPORTED BY
                                          EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Local storm report, Jul 4, 5:46 PM EDT, 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA
546 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0537 PM    HANOVERTON                OH   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   COLUMBIANA                     TREES DOWN IN HANOVERTON.
                                          PONDING OF WATER ON
                                          INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 30
                                          AND ROUTE 9. POWERLINES
                                          DOWN 1.5 MILES NORTH OF
                                          HANOVERTON ON ROUTE 9.

0537 PM    HANOVERTON                OH   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   COLUMBIANA                     TREES DOWN IN HANOVERTON.
                                          PONDING OF WATER AT
                                          INTERSECTION OF ROUTES 30
                                          AND 9. POWERLINES DOWN 1.5
                                          MILES NORTH OF HANOVERTON
                                          ON ROUTE 9 REPORTED BY
                                          SKYWARN SPOTTERS.

Local storm report, Jul 4, 6:01 PM EDT, 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA
601 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0545 PM    2 N CAMBRIDGE             OH   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   GUERNSEY                       LARGE TREE DOWN ON OLD
                                          21REPORTED BY EMERGENCY
                                          MANAGEMENT

0546 PM    TAPPAN LAKE               OH   WIND DAMAGE
07/04/03   HARRISON                       LARGE TREE DOWN REPORTED
                                          BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

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, 3:33 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PBZ	Mercer	3 hr
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, 6:17 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, 2003 Every 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.