Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 20, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

April 16, 2017Fayette County, Greene County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 16, 2017, 6:53 PM EDT for Fayette County, Greene County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 52 min. 3 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: Apr 16, 2017, 6:53 PM EDT (22:53 UTC)
Expired: Apr 16, 2017, 7:45 PM EDT
In force: 52 min
Issued by: NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Fayette County, PA, Greene County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:56 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
Apr 16, 7:00 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Sw Fairdale, PA	PORCH ROOF BLOWN OFF
Apr 16, 7:05 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Crucible, PA	TREES AND WIRES DOWN
Apr 16, 7:06 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Carmichaels, PA	TREES AND WIRES DOWN

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 7 minutes after it went out.

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

Pittsburgh, PA (KAGC), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 71 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: 18 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -115 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1521 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 192 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 155 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

244 
WUUS51 KPBZ 162253
SVRPBZ
PAC051-059-162345-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.SV.W.0020.170416T2253Z-170416T2345Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
653 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Greene County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
  Southern Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania...

* Until 745 PM EDT.

* At 652 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Fairdale, or
  10 miles east of Waynesburg, moving southeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. 

  SOURCE...Radar. 

  IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines, resulting in some 
           power outages. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Uniontown...                      Masontown...
  Farmington...                     Fairdale...
  Jefferson Boro...                 Fairchance...
  Isabella...                       Smithfield...
  Nemacolin...                      Carmichaels...
  Rices Landing...                  New Salem...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to 
the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH. 

&&

LAT...LON 3972 7945 3972 7979 3988 8012 3998 8004
      3998 8001 3984 7938
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 294DEG 28KT 3991 7998 

HAIL...<.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Fries

3 follow-up statements

624 
WWUS51 KPBZ 162311
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
711 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

PAC059-162321-
/O.CAN.KPBZ.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170416T2345Z/
Greene PA-
711 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GREENE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The storm that prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 3972 7945 3972 7979 3979 7992 3980 7991
      3981 7992 3983 7992 3985 7994 3986 7992
      3987 7993 3988 7991 3989 7992 3995 7988
      3984 7939 3984 7938
TIME...MOT...LOC 2311Z 294DEG 30KT 3985 7982 

$$

PAC051-162345-
/O.CON.KPBZ.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170416T2345Z/
Fayette PA-
711 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTY...

At 711 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Masontown, or
near Uniontown, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. 

SOURCE...Radar. 

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines, resulting in some 
         power outages. 

Locations impacted include...
Uniontown...                      Masontown...
Farmington...                     Fairchance...
Smithfield...                     New Salem...
Markleysburg...                   Greensboro...
Chalkhill...                      Ohiopyle...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to 
the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH. 

&&

LAT...LON 3972 7945 3972 7979 3979 7992 3980 7991
      3981 7992 3983 7992 3985 7994 3986 7992
      3987 7993 3988 7991 3989 7992 3995 7988
      3984 7939 3984 7938
TIME...MOT...LOC 2311Z 294DEG 30KT 3985 7982 

HAIL...<.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Fries

414 
WWUS51 KPBZ 162330
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
730 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

PAC051-162345-
/O.CON.KPBZ.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170416T2345Z/
Fayette PA-
730 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTY...

At 730 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Farmington, or
8 miles southeast of Uniontown, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. 

SOURCE...Radar. 

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines, resulting in some 
         power outages. 

Locations impacted include...
Farmington...                     Fairchance...
Markleysburg...                   Chalkhill...
Ohiopyle...                       

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm has a history of producing damaging wind gusts earlier in 
Greene County. Move indoors immediately and stay away from windows!

Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to 
the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH. 

&&

LAT...LON 3972 7945 3972 7970 3975 7975 3984 7975
      3989 7961 3984 7939 3984 7938
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 294DEG 28KT 3979 7964 

HAIL...<.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

657 
WWUS51 KPBZ 162344
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
744 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

PAC051-162354-
/O.EXP.KPBZ.SV.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170416T2345Z/
Fayette PA-
744 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTY
WILL EXPIRE AT 745 PM EDT...
        
The storm that prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits
and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will be
allowed to expire.  However gusty winds are still possible with this
thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 3972 7945 3972 7970 3975 7975 3984 7975
      3989 7961 3984 7939 3984 7938
TIME...MOT...LOC 2344Z 294DEG 28KT 3975 7953 

$$

Fries

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 Apr 16, 6:14 PM EDT, 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 16, 6:14 PM EDT, 39 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
614 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
Showers and thunderstorms can be expected this evening with a
crossing cold front. High pressure will then allow for dry
weather Monday and Tuesday before an unsettled pattern develops
for the rest of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
With 6:15pm update, line of showers and thunderstorms continues
to move east-southeast across the forecast area. Multiple
reports of wind damage and hail have been reported, and made
minor tweaks to the forecast for timing of the line of
showers/storms. Cloud cover and wind speeds have come down
substantially behind the line, and may not have cleared out
skies enough in the forecast. Previous discussion follows.

A line of showers and scattered thunderstorms developed across
the Lake Erie shoreline and is moving east across eastern Ohio
and northwestern Pennsylvania. While not a solid line of
showers, most locations should receive rain as this line moves
slowly to the east-southeast. Nearly the entire forecast area
remains under a marginal risk from the Storm Prediction Center
for severe weather. Although the primary threat will be from
gusty winds, nickel size hail has already been observed in Ohio,
so hail remains a threat as well. The bulk of rainfall will have
shifted south and east of Pittsburgh by midnight, but showers
will last until sunrise in some locations. Heaviest rainfall
totals are expected to be south of Interstate 70, where models
suggest that a reinforcing wave could develop another round of
showers after dark. Some partial clearing will occur overnight
south of Pittsburgh, while clouds will hang around longer near
the Mason Dixon line. The front behind the line of showers and
thunderstorms will bring cooler air into the region, with temps
tonight and Monday 5-10 degrees cooler than the previous 24
hours.

&&

.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Broad high pressure across the Great Lakes and Northeast will
allow for tranquil weather during this portion of the forecast.
Mostly clear skies will allow for a large diurnal swing, with
temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 70s.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
An unsettled pattern develops by Wednesday with several quick-
moving systems moving across the region. Although Friday night
is the only 12 hour period with no precipitation in the
forecast, widespread continuous precipitation is not expected
either. Models currently point to Thursday and Thursday night as
the most likely period for rain. The end of the work week should
have slightly above normal temperatures, with more seasonable
values by the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /22Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Recent satellite imagery and surface observations finally show
the location of a previously ill-defined cold front, now
stretching from just off Lake Erie back into central OH and IN.

This boundary will be the focus for increasing showers and
thunderstorms through the afternoon and early evening, and
confidence has allowed for the refinement of timing in the 18Z
TAFs.

Gusty southwest winds, at times peaking 25 to locally 30 knots,
will persist ahead of the front this afternoon. Isolated
stronger gusts from the west or northwest are possible in
thunderstorms. Behind the convective line, winds will diminish
early evening and become west to WNW.

Otherwise, expect predominantly VFR conditions through the
period except perhaps briefly MVFR in heavier thunderstorms.

.Outlook... The next chance for widespread restrictions comes
with a Wednesday cold front.

Bookbinder

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
OH...None.
PA...None.
WV...None.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 16, 2:13 PM EDT, 4 hours 40 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
213 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2017

MDZ001-OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-
029-031-073>076-WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-171200-
Garrett-Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest-
Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-Indiana-
Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-Westmoreland Ridges-Fayette-
Fayette Ridges-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
213 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Maryland, east
central Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, southwest Pennsylvania, west
central Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia
and northern panhandle of West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

There is a marginal risk for damaging wind gusts and hail this
afternoon and evening as a cold front spawns showers and
thunderstorms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
 conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 16, 5:08 PM EDT, 1 hour 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
508 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

PAZ015-016-022-023-162200-
Armstrong-Jefferson-Clarion-Indiana-
508 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY
WIND WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN INDIANA...SOUTHERN JEFFERSON...CENTRAL
ARMSTRONG AND SOUTHEASTERN CLARION COUNTIES...

At 508 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near New Bethlehem,
or 9 miles southeast of Rimersburg, moving east at 40 mph.

Wind gusts up to 55 mph and small hail are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Punxsutawney...                   New Bethlehem...
Big Run...                        Dayton...
Rossiter...                       Hawthorn...
Marion Center...                  Plumville...
Timblin...                        Commodore...
Worthville...                     Smicksburg...

This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4090 7960 4104 7940 4102 7881 4071 7891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 286DEG 35KT 4092 7940

Fries

Special weather statement, Apr 16, 5:24 PM EDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
524 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

PAZ021-073-162200-
Westmoreland-Allegheny-
524 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND WILL AFFECT
SOUTHEASTERN ALLEGHENY AND WEST CENTRAL WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...

At 524 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Pittsburgh,
moving east at 35 mph.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh...                     Penn Hills...
Mount Lebanon...                  Bethel Park...
Ross Township...                  Monroeville...
McKeesport...                     Jeannette...
Shaler Township...                Plum...
West Mifflin...                   North Side Pittsburgh...

This includes the following highways...
  Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 54 and 73.

  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 27 and 31.

  Parkway North between mile markers 1 and 4.

This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4040 8019 4051 7999 4043 7951 4024 7963
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 289DEG 27KT 4045 7997

Fries

Special weather statement, Apr 16, 5:31 PM EDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
531 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

OHZ058-059-162200-
Guernsey-Belmont-
531 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL AND GUSTY WIND
WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL GUERNSEY AND NORTHWESTERN BELMONT
COUNTIES...

At 531 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 7 miles north of
Barnesville, moving east at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 55 mph and hail up to the size of nickels are
possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
St. Clairsville...                Bethesda...
Flushing...                       Belmont...
Holloway...                       Morristown...
Fairview...                       Barkcamp State Park...
Piedmont Lake...

This includes  Interstate 70 in Ohio between mile markers 195 and
219.

This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 4016 8131 4016 8084 4015 8084 3999 8085
      4006 8132
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 275DEG 27KT 4010 8120

Fries

Local storm report, Apr 16, 6:08 PM EDT, 45 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
608 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0545 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MONROEVILLE             40.42N  79.79W
04/16/2017                   ALLEGHENY          PA   911 CALL CENTER

            TREES DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1701311

XX

Local storm report, Apr 16, 6:30 PM EDT, 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
630 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0555 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 N HARRISON CITY       40.37N  79.65W
04/16/2017                   WESTMORELAND       PA   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1701312

XX

Special weather statement, Apr 16, 6:49 PM EDT, 4 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
649 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

PAZ029-031-075-076-162330-
Fayette Ridges-Greene-Washington-Fayette-
649 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY
WIND WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON...NORTHEASTERN GREENE AND
SOUTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...

At 649 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Jefferson Boro,
or 7 miles east of Waynesburg, moving southeast at 35 mph.

Wind gusts up to 55 mph and small hail are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Uniontown...                      Masontown...
Fairdale...                       Jefferson Boro...
Fairchance...                     Isabella...
Smithfield...                     Nemacolin...
Carmichaels...                    Rices Landing...
New Salem...                      Greensboro...

This includes  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 13
and 14.

This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3972 7970 3972 7986 3990 8017 3999 8004
      3990 7959
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 294DEG 26KT 3991 8004

Fries

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 16, 3:06 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Mercer	39 min
Apr 16, 3:39 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Lawrence	51 min
Apr 16, 3:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango	41 min
Apr 16, 4:34 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Armstrong	41 min
Apr 16, 5:03 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Washington	42 min
Apr 16, 5:08 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Armstrong	52 min
Apr 16, 5:24 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Allegheny	36 min
Apr 16, 5:42 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Indiana, Westmoreland	35 min
Apr 16, 5:47 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Greene, Washington	43 min
Apr 16, 6:15 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Greene, Washington	45 min
Apr 16, 6:49 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Fayette	41 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2017 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2017

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.