Special Weather Statement, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
638 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
Persistent southerly flow due to a Bermuda High offshore will
keep hot and humid conditions in place across the region through
mid week. A slow moving cold front and associated low pressure
will cross the region Thursday into Friday. This front will
stall in the vicinity of our area then high pressure will build
from the north into the weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/...
Widespread thunderstorm activity that popped up across Berks
County, the Lehigh Valley, and western New Jersey produced
strong/severe winds in some locations, large hail in other
locations, and heavy rain almost everywhere. Hit-and-miss
thunderstorm activity south of the I-95 corridor produced mainly
heavy rain, with over two inches in a few spots. Yet another
area of thunderstorms, this one moving in from the northwest,
will continue moving southeast through the southern Poconos,
Lehigh Valley, and northwest New Jersey through the early
evening hours. Right now this line looks like a heavy rain
producer with small hail. It was moving at a fairly quick pace,
but latest radar images suggest it may be slowing down a bit as
it merges with the current activity in the Lehigh Valley. With
all this said, all this activity is expected to decrease in
intensity as the sun begins to set and we lose the solar energy.
Additional warnings may be needed before everything is over,
however.

PoPs were increased over the northern portions of the CWA to
account for current activity, and temperatures/cloud cover
adjusted accordingly as well.

...Previous Near Term Discussion Below...

Bermuda high pressure remains anchored off the Southeast U.S.
coast. A weak surface boundary lies across the northern half of
the forecast area and extends back down through southeast
Pennsylvania and into the Appalachians. Onshore flow ushers a
warm and humid airmass into the region. Surface dewpoints are in
the 70s for all but the southern Poconos, and temperatures are
in the 80s to low 90s.

As a result, surface-based CAPE values range from 4000-5000
J/kg. Some weak shortwave energy passing through the region will
interact with that aforementioned boundary to touch off showers
and thunderstorms across the region. Best chances lie along and
east of I-95, where storms have already started.

Effective Bulk Shear is generally on the order of 20 kt or
less. Storms will not have much motion, and with PWATs almost 2
inches, storms will be capable of gusty winds and heavy rain.
Since these storms will be slow movers, any backbuilding and
training could result in localized flooding.

12Z NAM indicating a bullseye of QPF just north of I-195 in New
Jersey, and this seems to be correlated with that stationary
front over the area. So that is something to keep an eye on
going into this evening.

Convection tapers off after sunset with loss of diurnal
heating. A warm and humid night on tap with fog developing once
again.

A decaying MCS is moving through western Pennsylvania and
western New York, and should track north and west of the region
late tonight. There may be some more showers and thunderstorms,
especially across the far northern zones, late tonight.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Bermuda high remains offshore, and the hot and humid airmass
remains over the region. Turning a bit warmer with highs in the
low to mid 90s, except for the southern Poconos, where highs
will be in the 80s. In addition, dewpoints will be in the low to
mid 70s, though with afternoon mixing, dewpoints should drop
back into the lower 70s in the afternoon during peak heating of
the day.

Max heat index values will be in the upper 90s for most of the
region, around 100 in the urban corridor, and 100 to as high as
105 in Delmarva.

Will keep Heat Advisory in effect for the urban corridor.

Another shortwave passes through the region in the afternoon,
touching off scattered showers and thunderstorms in the late
afternoon through the early evening. Heavy rain is possible once
again.

Warm and humid Monday night with patchy fog possible once
again.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
The going thinking for the long term period remains largely the
same. An active stretch of weather is likely from Tuesday
through Thursday with several opportunities for convection. In
addition, the heat will remain a concern as hot and humid
conditions continue. On the synoptic level, our region will
reside on the northwest periphery of a subtropical ridge and the
Bermuda High into midweek, before an approaching trough swings
through out of the Great Lakes. This will push a strong cold
front through the region with a major change in the air mass by
the end of the week.

On Tuesday, a dying surface boundary will be stalled over the
region, with a shortwave trough approaching. This will yield a
good opportunity for convection. The setup for Tuesday is
concerning from a hydro perspective. Pattern bears strong
resemblance to the Maddox "Type 2/Frontal Event" pattern which
is one of three patterns well known to favor flash flooding in
our region. One or more slow moving and potentially backbuilding
rounds of convection may develop in the vicinity of this
boundary on Tuesday, with activity likely continuing deep into
the night (another hallmark of the Maddox pattern just
mentioned). With PWATs rising near to above 2", it's hard to see
there not being issues with flash flooding. Am not confident on
which areas will have the best chance for activity, though if
anything would probably favor the western half of the region at
least during the daytime hours. With time, convective coverage
may become fairly widespread. Cannot discount the severe risk
Tuesday either. Weak shear should help limit the organization of
storms. However, strong instability is likely to build, which
should yield tall, slow moving storms with a threat for
downbursts/wet microbursts and possibly some threat for hail in
the tallest storms. Hot weather will continue on Tuesday as the
weak frontal boundary does not have any sort of notable cooling
behind it. Many areas will see low 90s, with some mid 90s
possible if cloud cover is less than forecast. Heat index values
near to above 100 with a Heat Advisory remaining in place for
the urban corridor. Very warm and muggy overnight with scattered
to numerous storms continuing across the area.

For Wednesday and Thursday, we will be watching the approach of
a strong cold front as a trough moves out of the Great Lakes.
Sensible weather outcomes will be largely related to the timing
of the front, which has been a major question mark in the
guidance. On Wednesday, a weak prefrontal trough should help
initiate convection even with the front lagging a ways behind.
Similar to Tuesday, not confident in what areas will be most
favored for convection, but again expect scattered to
potentially widespread coverage. The severe weather threat may
increase on Wednesday, as wind fields improve and a strong upper
jet streak moves over the Great Lakes, classic positioning for
Northeast and mid-Atlantic severe weather. Given plenty of
moisture still in place, could be more hydro concerns as well
though storms should be faster moving. A potential wild card for
Wednesday is that if activity Tuesday night does drag on until
very late in the night, that could unexpectedly modify the
environment for Wednesday. On Thursday, even if the front is
more progressive, it still looks unlikely to clear the region
until late in the day, so another round of convection is
possible, this time favoring the southeastern half of the area.
From a heat perspective, another hot day is likely Wednesday,
though cloud cover should keep it a couple degrees cooler than
Tuesday. It is possible another Heat Advisory will be needed for
the urban corridor. Warm and humid again Wednesday night with
lingering convection possible. Thursday, temperatures will be
frontal dependent. It is possible drier and somewhat cooler air
will start to filter in over the northwest half of the region
especially if the front is faster. However, over the southeast
half of the CWA, another warm and muggy day is more likely.

For the period Thursday night through Sunday... Upper troughing
and a closed upper low across southeastern Canada will be
moving slowly east with the mean flow turning west to
northwesterly. At the surface, an associated cold front will be
making its way through the region. The exact timing of this
system and cold front are quite a bit uncertain at this point
still, however it appears that the front will stall out near the
southern portion of the forecast area Thursday night into early
Friday. The front's passage will signal the end of what is
shaping up to be a hot, humid, wet, and active week. In its
wake, high pressure will build toward the north. Drier air and
cooler temperatures are expected into the weekend with Sunday
seeing the return of some humidity. Overall a mostly dry weekend
is forecast.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Tonight...Scattered SHRA/TSRA in through this evening with MVFR or
IFR conditions if a storm passes over a given terminal. Otherwise,
VFR through this evening, then sub-VFR conditions late tonight in
fog and stratus once again. South winds less than 10 kt, becoming
LGT/VRB tonight.

Monday through Monday night...Morning fog and stratus, then VFR.
Scattered afternoon and evening SHRA/TSRA. Patchy fog possible
Monday night. SW winds 5-10 kt.

Outlook...

Tuesday-Thursday...While prevailing conditions should be VFR,
several opportunities will exist for showers and thunderstorms
during this period. Periodic ceiling and visibility restrictions
are likely. In addition, low clouds and fog are possible
Tuesday night. Winds from Tuesday into Tuesday night should be
generally light and variable. Southwesterly flow develops late
Tuesday night and continues into at least early Thursday. A
shift to westerly winds is possible with a frontal passage
Thursday. Speeds generally running 5 to 10 kt with gusts
remaining under 20 kt.

&&

.MARINE...
Sub-SCA conditions over the waters tonight, Monday, and Monday
night. Seas will be around 3 feet on the ocean and 1-2 feet on DE
Bay. South winds 10-15 kt. Scattered showers and thunderstorms into
this evening, then again Monday afternoon and evening. Patchy near
shore fog possible late tonight, and again Monday night.

Outlook...

Tuesday-Thursday...Conditions are expected to remain below SCA
criteria. Southwesterly winds will gust near to just above 20 kt
from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night. Otherwise,
the winds should be steady from the south or southwest at around
10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 4 ft, though cannot rule out a period of
near 5 ft seas Wednesday night into Thursday.

Rip Currents...

There is a low risk for the development of dangerous rip currents at
area beaches into this evening with 2 ft swell and southerly flow
around 10 kts.

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Heat Advisory from 10 AM Monday to 8 PM EDT Tuesday for PAZ070-
     071-102-104-106.
NJ...Heat Advisory from 10 AM Monday to 8 PM EDT Tuesday for NJZ015-
     017>019.
DE...Heat Advisory from 10 AM Monday to 8 PM EDT Tuesday for DEZ001.
MD...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

Synopsis...Staarmann
Near Term...Miketta/MPS
Short Term...MPS
Long Term...O'Brien/Staarmann
Aviation...MPS/O'Brien/Staarmann
Marine...MPS/O'Brien/Staarmann

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
316 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

DEZ002-003-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012-013-016-020>023-
027-PAZ054-055-060>062-101-103-105-191930-
Kent-Inland Sussex-Cecil-Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-Sussex-
Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex-Western Monmouth-Salem-
Ocean-Cumberland-Atlantic-Cape May-Southeastern Burlington-Carbon-
Monroe-Berks-Lehigh-Northampton-Western Chester-Western Montgomery-
Upper Bucks-
316 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Delaware, southern
Delaware, northeast Maryland, central New Jersey, northern New
Jersey, northwest New Jersey, southern New Jersey, east central
Pennsylvania, northeast Pennsylvania and southeast Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

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

Heavy rain leading to localized flooding is possible with the
thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

DEZ001-NJZ015-017>019-PAZ070-071-102-104-106-191930-
New Castle-Mercer-Gloucester-Camden-Northwestern Burlington-Delaware-
Philadelphia-Eastern Chester-Eastern Montgomery-Lower Bucks-
316 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 8 PM EDT TUESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Delaware, central
New Jersey, southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

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

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Heat Advisory.

Heavy rain leading to localized flooding is possible with the
thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

DEZ004-NJZ014-024>026-191930-
Delaware Beaches-Eastern Monmouth-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-
Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-
316 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Delaware, central
New Jersey and southern New Jersey.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

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

Heavy rain leading to localized flooding is possible with the
thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

ANZ430-431-450>455-191930-
Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE-
Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE-
Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm-
316 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters and
Delaware Bay Waters.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

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

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

MPS

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
957 PM EDT SUN AUG 18 2019

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

0455 PM     HAIL             BRIDGEWATER             40.59N 74.63W
08/18/2019  E0.75 INCH       SOMERSET           NJ   PUBLIC

            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

STAARMANN

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1003 PM EDT SUN AUG 18 2019

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

0543 PM     HAIL             HOKENDAUQUA             40.66N 75.49W
08/18/2019  E1.50 INCH       LEHIGH             PA   PUBLIC

            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

STAARMANN

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1018 PM EDT SUN AUG 18 2019

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

0536 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 ESE FRENCHTOWN        40.52N 75.04W
08/18/2019                   HUNTERDON          NJ   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BARN AWNING/ROOF BLOWN OFF. SOME MINOR TREE
            DAMAGE NEARBY AS WELL. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
            RADAR.

&&

STAARMANN

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1020 PM EDT SUN AUG 18 2019

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

0439 PM     HAIL             SPRING TWP              40.32N 76.01W
08/18/2019  E1.00 INCH       BERKS              PA   COCORAHS

&&

SFJ

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1024 PM EDT SUN AUG 18 2019

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

0530 PM     LIGHTNING        1 SE FRENCHTOWN         40.52N 75.05W
08/18/2019                   HUNTERDON          NJ   PUBLIC

            LIGHTNING STRUCK A HOME ON HORSESHOE BEND
            ROAD CAUSING IT TO CATCH FIRE. AT LEAST 2
            OTHER HOUSE FIRES DUE TO LIGHTNING WERE
            REPORTED IN HUNTERDON COUNTY WITH UNKNOWN
            LOCATIONS.

&&

STAARMANN

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1025 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

PAZ060-190315-
Berks-
1025 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN BERKS COUNTY...

At 1024 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Myerstown,
moving northeast at 25 mph.

Wind gusts up to 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm...and may cause
ponding on roadways and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.

Occasional cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 15 miles away from a thunderstorm. If you see
lightning or hear thunder seek a safe shelter inside a building or
vehicle.

Locations impacted include...
Reading, Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, Laureldale, Womelsdorf,
Wernersville, Newmanstown, Leesport, Shoemakersville, Bernville,
Strausstown, Fairview Hgts, Spring Ridge, Centerport, Wyomissing
Hills, Whitfield and West Lawn.

This includes Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 10
and 30.

LAT...LON 4052 7634 4052 7625 4058 7604 4038 7578
      4030 7613 4036 7621 4037 7623 4049 7643
TIME...MOT...LOC 0224Z 244DEG 22KT 4037 7633

Robertson