Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2003

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

July 4, 2003Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 4, 2003, 3:34 PM EDT for Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 56 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, 3:34 PM EDT (19:34 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2003, 4:30 PM EDT
In force
56 min
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Counties, with a storm outline in the text

County Lawrence County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 61 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.

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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 4, 3:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 7.6 hours before the alert went out and 242 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, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2003-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 221 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, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2003-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 92 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

258 
WUUS51 KPBZ 041934
SVRPBZ
PAC073-042030-

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
334 PM EDT FRI JUL 4 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  LAWRENCE COUNTY IN PENNSYLVANIA

* UNTIL 430 PM EDT

* AT 334 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES EAST OF NEW WILMINGTON...MOVING
  SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  NEW WILMINGTON...

<<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 4112 8024 4112 8015 4107 8010 4100 8016
          4097 8017 4106 8038 4111 8038 4113 8027

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, 3 hours 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 11:43 AM EDT, 3 hours 51 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 44 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 53 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 49 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
                                          MANAGEMENT
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 1:44 PM EDT, 1 hour 50 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 3 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 MANAGEMENT
Special weather statement, Jul 4, 2:57 PM EDT, 37 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, 29 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.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 12:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette58 min
Jul 4, 1:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZGreene62 min
Jul 4, 1:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZMercer63 min
Jul 4, 2:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZMercer67 min
Jul 4, 3:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZButler57 min
Jul 4, 3:33 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZMercer3 hr
Jul 4, 4:10 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZLawrence3 hr
Jul 4, 4:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZButler64 min
Jul 4, 4:32 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZButler3 hr
Jul 4, 5:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver54 min
Jul 4, 5:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny67 min
Jul 4, 6:07 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZAllegheny3 hr
Jul 4, 6:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZWashington58 min
Jul 4, 6:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZWestmoreland63 min
Jul 4, 6:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette56 min
Jul 4, 7:12 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZWestmoreland3 hr
Jul 4, 7:19 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZFayette3 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.