Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 63, NWS State College, PA

May 23, 2019Cambria County, Somerset County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 23, 2019, 8:58 PM EDT for Cambria County, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 32 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 23, 2019, 8:58 PM EDT (00:58 UTC)
Expired: May 23, 2019, 9:30 PM EDT
In force: 32 min
Issued by: NWS State College, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 1.5 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Cambria County, PA, Somerset County, PA

The radar

The State College radar (KCCX), 97 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:00 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 23, 9:10 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Johnstown, PA	MULTIPLE TREES DOWN IN AND AROUND JOHNSTOWN
May 23, 9:12 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Daisytown, PA	STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS STRIPPED THE METAL ROOFING OFF OF A CHURCH BUILDING.
May 23, 9:14 PM EDT	TORNADO	Westmont, PA	AN EF0 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN WESTMONT, PRODUCING MAXIMUM WINDS OF 85 MPH ALONG PATH THAT WAS JUST OVER 1.5 MILES IN LENGTH AND HAD A MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH OF APPROXIMATELY 300 YARDS.
May 23, 9:17 PM EDT	HAIL 1	Johnstown, PA

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 12 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 00:00Z, 1.0 hours before the alert went out and 117 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: 485 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1287 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 206 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 276 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.6
Supercell composite: 10.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

890 
WUUS51 KCTP 240058
SVRCTP
PAC021-111-240130-
/O.NEW.KCTP.SV.W.0063.190524T0058Z-190524T0130Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
858 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

The National Weather Service in State College PA has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Somerset County in south central Pennsylvania...
  Southwestern Cambria County in central Pennsylvania...

* Until 930 PM EDT.

* At 856 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Westmont,
  moving southeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           wind damage to trees, roofs, and siding.

* Locations impacted include...
  Johnstown, Westmont, Windber, Belmont, Portage, Geistown,
  Southmont, Vinco, Dale, East Conemaugh, Salix-Beauty Line Park,
  Davidsville, Central City, Beaverdale-Lloydell, Paint, Jerome,
  South Fork, Scalp Level, Sidman and St. Michael.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4026 7907 4047 7893 4038 7856 4037 7857
      4035 7861 4031 7864 4028 7864 4028 7865
      4026 7864 4021 7868 4008 7873 4006 7876
      4001 7877
TIME...MOT...LOC 0056Z 312DEG 109KT 4030 7897 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...1.50IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Gartner

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 State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 23, 5:25 PM EDT, 3 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 23, 5:25 PM EDT, 3 hours 33 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
525 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will drop south across Pennsylvania late this
afternoon and evening.

Cooler and dry weather will follow for Friday. The holiday
weekend will bring warmer temperatures, higher humidity and a
renewed chance for showers and storms at times. Memorial Day
itself looks to offer up fantastic weather for much of the day
with near normal temperatures and comfortably lower humidity.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
Visible satellite loop showing building cumulus ahead of
approaching cold front over northwest Pa, while the rest of the
forecast area remains relatively stable in aftermath of earlier
convection. Near term model guidance indicating marginal
instability with capes near 1000 j/kg as front pushes southeast
across the region between 23Z-05Z. Latest HRRR, NAM and
Canadian all support the chance of an evening shower or storm
and given the strong wind fields aloft, still can not rule out
the threat of severe weather in a few spots.

Any scattered convection should end late this evening, as front
pushes south of the region and drier drier air sweeps in. Lows
will drop back into the comfortable 50s to lower 60s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM FRIDAY/...
In the wake of the cold front, Friday looks breezy cooler and
drier.

The main issue will be a gusty NW wind.

Highs will be near to slightly above normal in the mid to upper
60s north and mid to upper 70s south.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Some adjustments to the grids to match others and new guidance.

After a dry day on Friday, looking at some chance of showers
and storms on Saturday, mainly late across the north and west,
as low pressure lifts northeast toward James Bay.

The cold front sags southward into our area on Sunday, keeping a
chance of showers and storms across the area into Sunday
evening.

Most if not all of Memorial day looks to be dry.

Most of Tuesday looks to be dry, perhaps a shower or storm
across the north.

Wednesday and Thursday looks to be harder to time, as a deep
Polar Vortex starts to phase with the next cold front. Thus have
some chance of showers and storms in the fcst.

This activity could linger into late Thursday night, given a
complex system.

Maybe a risk of frost at some point after FROPA, but that is
further out than our fcst extends at this point.

Have a good holiday weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /21Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Scattered showers and thunderstorms into this evening could
produce brief reductions at central PA TAF sites. Otherwise,
conditions should generally be VFR.

The threat of showers ends from northwest to southeast late
this evening, with winds shifting around to the northwest.

Building high pressure will provide VFR conditions Friday under
partly to mostly sunny skies, and a breezy northwest wind could
gust 15-20 mph.

Humidity creeps back in this weekend, and cannot rule out a
scattered t-storm.

.Outlook...

Fri...Ceiling restrictions possible early NW, then mainly VFR.

Sat...Restrictions possible near scattered tstms, mainly north.

Sun...Restrictions possible near scattered tstms, mainly west.

Mon-Tues...Generally VFR, although a spotty showers or storm is
possible.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...La Corte/Lambert
NEAR TERM...Fitzgerald/La Corte
SHORT TERM...La Corte/Lambert/Martin
LONG TERM...Martin
AVIATION...Evanego

Hazardous weather outlook, May 23, 3:29 PM EDT, 5 hours 29 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
329 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

PAZ004-005-241930-
Warren-McKean-
329 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Saturday
afternoon and evening, mainly across the western half of
Pennsylvania.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ006-010>012-017>019-024>028-033>037-041-042-045-046-049>053-
056>059-063>066-241930-
Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-Northern Centre-
Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Somerset-
Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-
Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-
Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-
Adams-York-Lancaster-
329 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater and
large hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter are possible this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Saturday
afternoon and evening, mainly across the western half of
Pennsylvania.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 23, 7:22 PM EDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
722 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

PAZ017-232345-
Clearfield PA-
722 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY UNTIL
745 PM EDT...

At 720 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Brookville, moving east at 45 mph.

Small hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible around or
shortly after 745 pm.

Locations impacted include...
DuBois, Clearfield, Sandy, Curwensville, Penfield, Hyde,
Plymptonville, Rockton, Parker Dam State Park, S.B. Elliot State
Park, Sykesville, Falls Creek, Grampian, Troutville, Lumber City,
Treasure Lake, Penn State Dubois and Clearfield-Lawrence Airport.

LAT...LON 4114 7880 4120 7876 4120 7870 4122 7865
      4125 7864 4123 7828 4088 7854 4097 7881
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 289DEG 48KT 4118 7909

KF

Special weather statement, May 23, 8:16 PM EDT, 42 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
816 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

PAZ018-019-240115-
Northern Centre PA-Southern Centre PA-
816 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF CENTRE COUNTY UNTIL 915
PM EDT...

At 814 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms between
Snow Shoe and Grampian, moving southeast at 40 mph.

Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible.

Locations impacted include...
State College, Bellefonte, Park Forest Village, Woodward, Boalsburg,
Pleasant Gap, Philipsburg, Lamar, Stormstown, Lemont, Zion,
Houserville, Pine Grove Mills, Centre Hall, Osceola Mills, Milesburg,
Millheim, Chester Hill, Ramblewood and Snow Shoe.

LAT...LON 4111 7766 4106 7756 4105 7758 4097 7751
      4104 7714 4085 7736 4071 7771 4074 7782
      4071 7791 4071 7801 4074 7813 4075 7837
      4096 7817 4096 7813 4094 7812 4096 7808
      4105 7806 4106 7809 4111 7811 4115 7804
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 293DEG 35KT 4103 7789

Colbert

Special weather statement, May 23, 8:42 PM EDT, 16 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
842 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

PAZ024-033-240100-
Somerset PA-Cambria PA-
842 PM EDT Thu May 23 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF SOMERSET AND CAMBRIA
COUNTIES AFTER 900 PM EDT...

At 841 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Blairsville, moving southeast at 40 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible.

Locations impacted include...
Johnstown, Westmont, Windber, Belmont, Geistown, Southmont, Vinco,
Dale, East Conemaugh, Salix-Beauty Line Park, Davidsville, Central
City, Beaverdale-Lloydell, Paint, Jerome, South Fork, Scalp Level,
Sidman, St. Michael and Dunlo.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4022 7910 4036 7900 4046 7894 4035 7861
      4007 7875 4006 7876 4003 7877
TIME...MOT...LOC 0041Z 302DEG 33KT 4047 7934

Colbert

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 23, 8:16 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Centre	59 min
May 23, 8:42 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Cambria	18 min
May 23, 8:52 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Snyder	53 min
May 23, 9:09 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	CTP	Cambria, Somerset	34 min
May 23, 9:15 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Columbia	30 min
May 23, 9:26 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Juniata, Perry	34 min
May 23, 9:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Bedford, Cambria, Somerset	45 min
May 23, 9:42 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Mifflin	18 min
May 23, 10:00 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Lebanon	45 min
May 23, 10:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry	55 min
May 23, 10:12 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Lebanon	35 min
May 23, 10:15 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Bedford, Fulton	30 min
May 23, 10:23 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Lancaster, York	55 min
May 23, 10:35 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Franklin	22 min
May 23, 10:38 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Lancaster	35 min
May 23, 10:59 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Blair, Huntingdon	31 min
May 23, 11:02 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	CTP	Lancaster	13 min
May 23, 11:14 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Cumberland	61 min
May 23, 11:42 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Somerset	33 min
May 23, 11:59 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Adams, Cumberland, York	61 min
May 24, 12:18 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Bedford, Somerset	42 min
May 24, 12:35 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	York	40 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2019 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2019

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.