Alert archive / Maryland / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2008

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 34, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

May 31, 2008Kent County, Sussex County, Delaware; Caroline County, Queen Anne's County, Talbot County, Maryland

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 2008, 3:11 PM EDT for Kent County, Sussex County, Delaware; Caroline County, Queen Anne's County, Talbot County, Maryland. It was in force for 64 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: May 31, 2008, 3:11 PM EDT (19:11 UTC)
Expired: May 31, 2008, 4:15 PM EDT
In force: 64 min
Issued by: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Kent County, DE, Sussex County, DE, Caroline County, MD, Queen Anne's County, MD, Talbot County, MD

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:11 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 31, 3:20 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	W Andrewsville, DE	TREES DOWNED NEAR HARRINGTON. ALSO, MARBLE SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED.
May 31, 3:45 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Milton, DE	NUMEROUS WIRES KNOCKED DOWN IN THE MILTON AREA.
May 31, 3:54 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 54	Lewes, DE	A 54 MPH THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST WAS MEASURED AT LEWES. THE ANEMOMETER THEN STOPPED REPORTING.
May 31, 3:55 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 54	Laurel, DE	A 54 MPH THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST WAS RECORDED AT THE LAUREL DEOS STATION.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

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, 10:20 AM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 12:00Z, 7.2 hours before the alert went out and 81 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: 395 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -107 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 690 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 173 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 157 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WUUS51 KPHI 311911
SVRPHI
DEC001-005-MDC011-035-041-312015-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0034.080531T1911Z-080531T2015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
311 PM EDT SAT MAY 31 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY NJ HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHWESTERN KENT COUNTY IN CENTRAL DELAWARE...
  CAROLINE COUNTY IN EASTERN MARYLAND...
  EASTERN TALBOT COUNTY IN EASTERN MARYLAND...
  SOUTH CENTRAL QUEEN ANNES COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MARYLAND...
  SUSSEX COUNTY IN SOUTHERN DELAWARE...

* UNTIL 415 PM EDT

* AT 310 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL...AND
  DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
  PRESTON...OR ABOUT 37 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DOVER...AND MOVING EAST AT
  68 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  SEAFORD AND BRIDGEVILLE BY 325 PM...
  6 MILES NORTH OF SYCAMORE BY 330 PM...
  GEORGETOWN BY 335 PM...
  LONG NECK BY 345 PM...
  REHOBOTH BEACH BY 350 PM...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR
SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

LAT...LON 3845 7547 3849 7571 3864 7572 3869 7582
      3867 7595 3860 7598 3857 7602 3861 7609
      3861 7611 3863 7612 3863 7615 3904 7592
      3886 7523 3879 7514 3881 7509 3866 7505
      3846 7503 3845 7505
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 273DEG 59KT 3870 7586

$$

RNS

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS51 KPHI 311924
SVSPHI

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
324 PM EDT SAT MAY 31 2008

DEC001-005-MDC011-312015-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-080531T2015Z/
KENT DE-CAROLINE MD-SUSSEX DE-
324 PM EDT SAT MAY 31 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX...SOUTHEASTERN CAROLINE AND SOUTHWESTERN KENT COUNTIES...

AT 321 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED NEAR SEAFORD...OR 33 MILES SOUTH OF DOVER...MOVING EAST AT 68
MPH. OTHER POTENTIALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALSO OVER NORTHERN
SUSSEX COUNTY DELAWARE.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  GEORGETOWN BY 335 PM EDT...
  6 MILES NORTH OF MILLSBORO BY 340 PM EDT...
  LONG NECK BY 345 PM EDT...
  DEWEY BEACH...REHOBOTH BEACH AND HENLOPEN ACRES BY 350 PM EDT...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW
JERSEY.

LAT...LON 3845 7552 3849 7570 3864 7572 3869 7582
      3868 7592 3888 7587 3897 7564 3886 7524
      3882 7519 3879 7514 3881 7509 3866 7505
      3845 7504
TIME...MOT...LOC 1924Z 273DEG 59KT 3869 7559

$$

RNS

000 
WWUS51 KPHI 311940
SVSPHI

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
340 PM EDT SAT MAY 31 2008

DEC001-311950-
/O.CAN.KPHI.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-080531T2015Z/
KENT DE-
340 PM EDT SAT MAY 31 2008

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN KENT COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW
JERSEY.

LAT...LON 3849 7570 3864 7572 3866 7574 3873 7569
      3879 7559 3890 7536 3886 7524 3879 7514
      3879 7511 3881 7509 3866 7505 3864 7506
      3860 7504 3845 7504 3845 7552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 273DEG 59KT 3888 7518 3852 7564

$$

DEC005-MDC011-312015-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0034.000000T0000Z-080531T2015Z/
CAROLINE MD-SUSSEX DE-
340 PM EDT SAT MAY 31 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX AND EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN CAROLINE COUNTIES...

AT 337 PM EDT...A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WAS REPORTED CAPABLE
OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60
MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES
NORTHEAST OF MILTON TO BETHEL...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 24
MILES SOUTHEAST OF DOVER TO 45 MILES SOUTH OF DOVER...MOVING EAST AT
68 MPH.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  LEWES BY 345 PM EDT...
  MILLSBORO BY 350 PM EDT...
  GUMBORO...REHOBOTH BEACH...LONG NECK AND HENLOPEN ACRES BY 355 PM
  EDT...
  SELBYVILLE...MILLVILLE AND FRANKFORD BY 400 PM EDT...
  SOUTH BETHANY BY 405 PM EDT...

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND NORTHEASTERN MARYLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW
JERSEY.

LAT...LON 3849 7570 3864 7572 3866 7574 3873 7569
      3879 7559 3890 7536 3886 7524 3879 7514
      3879 7511 3881 7509 3866 7505 3864 7506
      3860 7504 3845 7504 3845 7552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 273DEG 59KT 3888 7518 3852 7564

$$

RNS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 31, 1:36 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent, Sussex	54 min
May 31, 2:28 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent, Sussex	47 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Maryland, 2008 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Delaware, 2008 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.