Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2003
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 45, NWS Pittsburgh, PA
NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 4, 2003, 1:57 PM EDT for Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 63 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 4, 2003, 1:57 PM EDT (17:57 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 4, 2003, 3:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 63 min
- Issued by
- NWS Pittsburgh, PA
- Area
- Counties, with a storm outline in the text
County Mercer County, PA
The radar
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:58 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 6.0 hours before the alert went out and 217 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.
608 WUUS51 KPBZ 041757 SVRPBZ PAC085-041900- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 157 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... MERCER COUNTY IN PENNSYLVANIA * UNTIL 300 PM EDT * AT 157 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF GREENVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH. * SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE... GREENVILLE... GREENVILLE EAST... GROVE CITY... MERCER... STONEBORO... <<CALL TO ACTION>>IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER FROM THE WEATHER IN A STRONG BUILDING. DAMAGING WIND...LARGE HAIL...VERY HEAVY RAIN...AND DEADLY LIGHTNING ARE ALL POSSIBLE IN SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. STAY INSIDE AWAY FROM WINDOWS UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED. PLEASE REPORT HAIL...STRONG WINDS OR WIND DAMAGE TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE...1-877-633-6772...WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY. LAT...LON 4160 8054 4128 8051 4113 8008 4144 8004
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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 4, 11:43 AM EDT, 2 hours 14 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 11:43 AM EDT, 2 hours 14 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, 8 hours 7 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, 8:36 AM EDT, 5 hours 21 minutes before
MDZ001-OHZ048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ009-014>016-020>023-029>032- WVZ001>004-012-021>023-041-041530- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 836 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 ...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE REGION... THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING AND MOVING ACROSS THE REGION THIS HOLIDAY MORNING. THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY IS MOVING THROUGH EASTERN OHIO INTO WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING NEAR THE RIDGES. 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 SMALL 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. TYBURSKI
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 8:59 AM EDT, 4 hours 58 minutes before
OHZ039>041-PAZ007-008-013-041530- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 859 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 ...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS THE REGION... THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEVELOPING AND MOVING ACROSS THE REGION THIS HOLIDAY MORNING. THE STRONGEST ACTIVITY IS MOVING THROUGH EASTERN OHIO INTO WEST CENTRAL 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 SMALL 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. TYBURSKI
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 11:09 AM EDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
OHZ039>041-042000- SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 1109 AM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES... IN OHIO... CARROLL COLUMBIANA TUSCARAWAS
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 11:41 AM EDT, 2 hours 16 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, 1 hour 12 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, 13 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.
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, 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, 6:07 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
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2003Every severe thunderstorm 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.