Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Watches in 2014

Flash Flood Watch 1, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

January 8, 2014Bucks County, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; Burlington County, Mercer County, New Jersey

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this flash flood watch at Jan 8, 2014, 10:21 AM EST for Bucks County, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; Burlington County, Mercer County, New Jersey. It was in force for 41 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 8, 2014, 10:21 AM EST (15:21 UTC)
Expired
Jan 10, 2014, 3:17 AM EST
In force
41 hr
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Flood severity
None

Counties Burlington County, NJ, Mercer County, NJ, Bucks County, PA, Philadelphia County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:18 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

Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD (KAPG), launched 12:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 126 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, Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD at 12:00Z on 2014-01-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD at 12:00Z on 2014-01-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -41 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1559 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
78 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-41 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
78 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.

568 
WGUS61 KPHI 081521
FFAPHI

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1021 AM EST WED JAN 8 2014


NJZ015-019-PAZ071-106-082330-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FF.A.0001.140108T1521Z-140109T1100Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MERCER-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-PHILADELPHIA-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TRENTON...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
PHILADELPHIA...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
1021 AM EST WED JAN 8 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR AREAS
ADJACENT TO THE DELAWARE RIVER DUE TO AN ICE JAM...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST
  PENNSYLVANIA...ADJACENT TO THE DELAWARE RIVER...INCLUDING MERCER
  AND NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY...AND LOWER
  BUCKS AND PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.

* THROUGH LATE TONIGHT

* AN ICE JAM HAS DEVELOPED ON THE DELAWARE RIVER NEAR TRENTON.
  THIS HAS RESULTED IN A FEW MILES OF NEAR BANK FULL CONDITIONS
  NORTH OF THE ICE JAM. WHEN THIS ICE JAM BREAKS...THERE MAY BE
  ENOUGH WATER BEHIND THE JAM TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.

* TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW FREEZING TODAY AND
  TONIGHT...SO THE ICE JAM MAY NOT BREAK UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING.

* THOUGH IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME TO DETERMINE HOW HIGH THE
  WATER LEVELS WILL RISE ONCE THE ICE JAM BREAKS...THERE IS A RISK
  FOR FLASH FLOODING.

* NAVIGATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS DOCKS, COULD BE AFFECTED
  BY THE RELEASE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$

JOHNSON
5 follow-up statements
299 
WGUS61 KPHI 082245
FFAPHI

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
545 PM EST WED JAN 8 2014

NJZ015-019-PAZ071-106-091100-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.A.0001.000000T0000Z-140109T1100Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MERCER-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-PHILADELPHIA-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TRENTON...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
PHILADELPHIA...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
545 PM EST WED JAN 8 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...INCLUDING 
  THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NEW JERSEY...MERCER AND NORTHWESTERN 
  BURLINGTON. IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...LOWER BUCKS AND 
  PHILADELPHIA. 

* THROUGH LATE TONIGHT

* AN ICE JAM CONTINUES ON THE DELAWARE RIVER NEAR TRENTON. THIS
  HAS RESULTED IN FLOODING UPSTREAM TO THE NORTH OF THE ICE JAM.
  WHEN THIS ICE JAM BREAKS...THERE MAY BE ENOUGH WATER BEHIND THE
  JAM TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.

* TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW FREEZING THROUGH
  THURSDAY MORNING. THEREFORE...THE ICE JAM MAY NOT BREAK UNTIL
  LATER THURSDAY...AT THE EARLIEST.

* OUTLOOK...THIS FLASH FLOOD WATCH MAY NEED EXTENSION THROUGH AT
  LEAST THE DAYLIGHT HOURS THURSDAY IF THE ICE JAM IS STILL CAUSING
  FLOODING AT 6 AM THURSDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$
844 
WGUS61 KPHI 090923
FFAPHI

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
423 AM EST THU JAN 9 2014

NJZ015-019-PAZ071-106-100300-
/O.EXT.KPHI.FF.A.0001.000000T0000Z-140110T0300Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MERCER-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-PHILADELPHIA-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TRENTON...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
PHILADELPHIA...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
423 AM EST THU JAN 9 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR

* PORTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...INCLUDING 
  THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NEW JERSEY...MERCER AND NORTHWESTERN 
  BURLINGTON. IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...LOWER BUCKS AND 
  PHILADELPHIA. 

* THROUGH THIS EVENING

* AN ICE JAM CONTINUES ON THE DELAWARE RIVER NEAR TRENTON. THIS 
  HAS RESULTED IN FLOODING UPSTREAM TO THE NORTH OF THE ICE JAM. 
  WHEN THIS ICE JAM BREAKS...THERE MAY BE ENOUGH WATER BEHIND 
  THE JAM TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING DOWNSTREAM. 

* TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW FREEZING THROUGH THIS
  MORNING. THEREFORE...THE ICE JAM MAY NOT BREAK UNTIL LATER
  TODAY... AT THE EARLIEST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED. PLEASE EVACUATE IF TOLD
TO DO SO BY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

&&

$$
596 
WGUS61 KPHI 091719
FFAPHI

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1219 PM EST THU JAN 9 2014

NJZ015-019-PAZ071-106-100130-
/O.EXT.KPHI.FF.A.0001.000000T0000Z-140110T1300Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MERCER-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-PHILADELPHIA-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TRENTON...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
PHILADELPHIA...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
1219 PM EST THU JAN 9 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR

* PORTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...INCLUDING 
  THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NEW JERSEY...MERCER AND NORTHWESTERN 
  BURLINGTON. IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...LOWER BUCKS AND 
  PHILADELPHIA. 

* THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING

* AN ICE JAM CONTINUES ON THE DELAWARE RIVER NEAR TRENTON. THIS
  HAS RESULTED IN FLOODING UPSTREAM TO THE NORTH OF THE ICE JAM.
  WHEN THIS ICE JAM BREAKS, THERE MAY BE ENOUGH WATER BEHIND THE
  JAM TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING DOWNSTREAM.

* ICE JAMS ARE UNPREDICTABLE, BUT AS TEMPERATURES WARM, ARE MORE
  LIKELY TO BREAK UP. HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE
  NEAR FREEZING. HIGH ON FRIDAY WILL BE IN THE LOWER 40S AND HIGHS
  ON SATURDAY WILL BE NEAR 60.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED. PLEASE EVACUATE IF TOLD TO
DO SO BY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

&&

$$

KRUZDLO
224 
WGUS61 KPHI 100045
FFAPHI

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
745 PM EST THU JAN 9 2014

NJZ015-019-PAZ071-106-101300-
/O.CON.KPHI.FF.A.0001.000000T0000Z-140110T1300Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MERCER-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-PHILADELPHIA-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TRENTON...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
PHILADELPHIA...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
745 PM EST THU JAN 9 2014

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...INCLUDING 
  THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NEW JERSEY...MERCER AND NORTHWESTERN 
  BURLINGTON COUNTIES. IN SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA...LOWER BUCKS AND 
  PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES. 

* THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING

* AN ICE JAM CONTINUES ON THE DELAWARE RIVER NEAR TRENTON. THIS 
  HAS RESULTED IN FLOODING UPSTREAM TO THE NORTH OF THE ICE JAM. 
  WHEN THIS ICE JAM BREAKS... THERE MAY BE ENOUGH WATER BEHIND 
  THE JAM TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING DOWNSTREAM. 

* ICE JAMS ARE UNPREDICTABLE... BUT AS TEMPERATURES WARM... ARE
  MORE LIKELY TO BREAK UP. HIGH TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY WILL BE IN
  THE LOWER 40S AND HIGHS ON SATURDAY WILL BE NEAR 60.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED. PLEASE EVACUATE IF TOLD TO
DO SO BY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

&&

$$
893 
WGUS61 KPHI 100817
FFAPHI

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
317 AM EST FRI JAN 10 2014
 
NJZ015-019-PAZ071-106-102200-
/O.CAN.KPHI.FF.A.0001.000000T0000Z-140110T1300Z/
/O.NEW.KPHI.FA.A.0001.140111T1600Z-140112T1100Z/
/00000.0.IC.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
MERCER-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-PHILADELPHIA-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TRENTON...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...
PHILADELPHIA...MORRISVILLE...DOYLESTOWN
317 AM EST FRI JAN 10 2014

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
SATURDAY NIGHT...
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST
  PENNSYLVANIA...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NEW JERSEY...
  MERCER AND NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON. IN SOUTHEAST
  PENNSYLVANIA...LOWER BUCKS AND PHILADELPHIA.

* FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT

* THE ICE JAM ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER IN TRENTON HAS WEAKENED.
  UPSTREAM WATER LEVELS HAVE BEEN STEADILY DROPPING AND CLOSED
  ROADWAYS HAVE REOPENED. PLEASE LOOK FOR UPDATES AS THE JAM MIGHT
  STRENGTHEN AGAIN BEFORE TEMPERATURES RISE ABOVE FREEZING LATER
  TODAY.

* ON SATURDAY RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES, ALONG WITH THE CHANCE OF
  THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED. EVENT PRECIPITATION TOTALS ARE
  EXPECTED TO AVERAGE 1.5 AND 2.0 INCHES. THE COMBINATION OF ICE
  JAMS AND HEAVY RAIN RUNOFF COULD LEAD TO FLOODING OF CREEKS AND
  RIVERS IN THE AREA.

* EXPECT POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING TO IMPACT TRAVEL ON SATURDAY.
  FLOODING ON CREEKS AND RIVER MIGHT LAST INTO SUNDAY IF HEAVY
  RAIN OCCURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

&&


$$

DEZ001-MDZ008-NJZ001-007>010-012-013-016>018-PAZ054-055-060>062-
070-101>105-102200-
/O.NEW.KPHI.FA.A.0001.140111T1600Z-140112T1100Z/
/00000.0.IC.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NEW CASTLE-CECIL-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-
MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-CARBON-MONROE-
BERKS-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...ELKTON...NEWTON...
WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN...FLEMINGTON...SOMERVILLE...
NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...CAMDEN...
CHERRY HILL...JIM THORPE...STROUDSBURG...READING...ALLENTOWN...
BETHLEHEM...EASTON...MEDIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...
WEST CHESTER...KENNET SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...
NORRISTOWN...LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE
317 AM EST FRI JAN 10 2014

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
SATURDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN DELAWARE...NORTHEAST
  MARYLAND...NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
  AREAS...IN NORTHERN DELAWARE...NEW CASTLE. IN NORTHEAST
  MARYLAND...CECIL. IN NEW JERSEY...CAMDEN...
  GLOUCESTER...HUNTERDON...MIDDLESEX...MORRIS...SALEM...
  SOMERSET...SUSSEX...WARREN AND WESTERN MONMOUTH. IN
  PENNSYLVANIA...BERKS...CARBON...DELAWARE...EASTERN CHESTER...
  EASTERN MONTGOMERY...LEHIGH...MONROE...NORTHAMPTON...UPPER
  BUCKS...WESTERN CHESTER AND WESTERN MONTGOMERY.

* FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT

* ON SATURDAY RAIN, HEAVY AT TIMES, ALONG WITH THE CHANCE OF
  THUNDERSTORMS. EVENT PRECIPITATION TOTALS ARE EXPECTED TO
  AVERAGE 1.5 AND 2.0 INCHES. THE COMBINATION OF ICE JAMS AND
  HEAVY RAIN RUNOFF COULD LEAD TO FLOODING OF CREEKS AND RIVERS IN
  THE AREA.

* EXPECT POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING TO IMPACT TRAVEL ON SATURDAY.
  FLOODING ON CREEKS AND RIVER MIGHT LAST INTO SUNDAY IF HEAVY
  RAIN OCCURS.

* PRIOR TO SATURDAY SOME ICE JAMS MIGHT CAUSE FLOODING TODAY AND
  TONIGHT. THE CHANCES WILL START DECREASING AS TEMPERATURES RISE
  ABOVE FREEZING LATER TODAY.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 8, 5:08 AM ESTWind Chill AdvisoryPHICarbon, Monroe5 hr
Jan 8, 2:58 PM ESTRiver Flood WarningPHIBucks30 hr
Jan 8, 5:04 PM ESTAreal Flood WarningPHINorthampton42 hr
Jan 7, 7:34 PM ESTLow Water AdvisoryPHI79 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Watches in Pennsylvania, 2014Flash Flood Watches in New Jersey, 2014Every flash flood watch in 2014

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.