Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 3, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

March 28, 20206 counties in Pennsylvania; Columbiana County, Ohio; Hancock County, West Virginia

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this flash flood warning at Mar 28, 2020, 4:19 PM EDT for 6 counties in Pennsylvania; Columbiana County, Ohio; Hancock County, West Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. 6 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: Mar 28, 2020, 4:19 PM EDT (20:19 UTC)
Expired: Mar 28, 2020, 7:09 PM EDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Columbiana County, OH, Allegheny County, PA, Armstrong County, PA, Beaver County, PA, Butler County, PA, Lawrence County, PA, Westmoreland County, PA, Hancock County, WV

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:18 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Mar 28, 4:45 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Aliquippa, PA	FLOODING AND DEBRIS ALONG CHAPEL ROAD WITH LOCAL CREEKS OUT OF BANKS.
Mar 28, 4:56 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ne Dawson, PA	WIDESPREAD FLOODING OCCURRING ON CHAPEL ROAD IN BEAVER COUNTY
Mar 28, 5:17 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	1 Ene Independence, PA	WATER IN HOMES, BASEMENTS IN HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP
Mar 28, 5:18 PM EDT	FLOOD	Mccandless, PA	BABCOCK BLVD/WILDWOOD RD COMPLETELY UNDER WATER.
Mar 28, 5:45 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Kittanning, PA	WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES
Mar 28, 5:52 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Franklin Park, PA	1500 INGOMAR HEIGHTS RD. SUBSIDING DUE TO FLOODING

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 5 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 26 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 (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 41 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: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 885 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 71 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 504 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 719 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

688 
WGUS51 KPBZ 282019
FFWPBZ
OHC029-PAC003-005-007-019-073-129-WVC029-282315-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.FF.W.0003.200328T2019Z-200328T2315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
419 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Columbiana County in east central Ohio...
  Beaver County in western Pennsylvania...
  Southeastern Lawrence County in western Pennsylvania...
  Southern Butler County in west central Pennsylvania...
  Northern Allegheny County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
  Northwestern Westmoreland County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
  Southwestern Armstrong County in west central Pennsylvania...
  Northern Hancock County in northern West Virginia...

* Until 715 PM EDT.

* At 419 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or
  expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other 
           drainage and low lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Ross Township, McCandless Township,
  Monroeville, Cranberry, Moon Township, Butler, Franklin Park, East
  Liverpool, Aliquippa and Beaver Falls.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4086 7949 4040 7951 4058 8064 4091 8010

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

2 follow-up statements

577 
WGUS71 KPBZ 282155
FFSPBZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
555 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

OHC029-PAC003-005-007-019-073-129-WVC029-282315-
/O.CON.KPBZ.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-200328T2315Z/
/00000.U.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Columbiana OH-Allegheny PA-Armstrong PA-Beaver PA-Butler PA-Lawrence
PA-Westmoreland PA-Hancock WV-
555 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR EASTERN COLUMBIANA, NORTHERN ALLEGHENY, NORTHWESTERN 
WESTMORELAND, SOUTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG, SOUTHERN BUTLER, BEAVER, 
SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE AND NORTHERN HANCOCK COUNTIES...

At 555 PM EDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding across 
the warned area as a result of thunderstorms. Between 1 and 2 inches 
of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is occurring.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Law enforcement.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other
         drainage and low lying areas.

Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the 
warned area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 4086 7949 4040 7951 4058 8064 4091 8010

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

305 
WGUS71 KPBZ 282309
FFSPBZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
709 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

OHC029-PAC003-005-007-019-073-129-WVC029-282319-
/O.CAN.KPBZ.FF.W.0003.000000T0000Z-200328T2315Z/
/00000.U.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Columbiana OH-Allegheny PA-Armstrong PA-Beaver PA-Butler PA-Lawrence
PA-Westmoreland PA-Hancock WV-
709 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR EASTERN COLUMBIANA, NORTHERN ALLEGHENY, 
NORTHWESTERN WESTMORELAND, SOUTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG, SOUTHERN BUTLER, 
BEAVER, SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE AND NORTHERN HANCOCK COUNTIES HAS BEEN 
REPLACED WITH AN AREAL FLOOD WARNING...

LAT...LON 4086 7949 4040 7951 4058 8064 4091 8010

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood 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 flash flood warning went out at Mar 28, 2:13 PM EDT, 2 hours 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 28, 2:13 PM EDT, 2 hours 6 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
213 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Periodic showers and scattered thunderstorms can be expected through
tomorrow with the approach and passage of a cold front.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...

Surface warm front currently just north of PGH will continue to drift
north and serve as the main source of convective initiation the
remainder of the afternoon. Substantial breaks in the clouds south of
the boundary along with substantial WAA has resulted in around
1500j/kg MLCAPE and with substantial (50kts+) effective shear in
place across the region there will be potential for severe weather
through the afternoon. The biggest question is for areas south of PGH
and whether or not storms will be triggered. There are some subtle
waves in low-level wv imagery which could be enough so have issued a
convective watch for the vast majority of the forecast area. The
primary threat north of the warm front will be hail, and south of the
boundary with more dry mid-level air and steep lapse rates there
will be an increased wind threat (in addition to hail) with the
strongest updrafts.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Activity will diminish later in the evening. The occluded surface
front will approach western Ohio late tonight. More showers, and
possibly a thunderstorm, will develop ahead of the boundary and push
through the entire region Sunday morning. Atmosphere will dry out
quickly behind the boundary, allowing for some sunshine to make a
much needed return. The main concern for Sunday will be the threat
for strong winds behind the front. An impressive wind field will
develop on the southeastern flank of the 500 low. Mixing heights rise
quickly and instability aloft increases. This will allow for the
strong winds aloft to mix down to the surface. Current forecast
soundings are hinting that a wind advisory may be needed on Sunday.

Temperatures remain well above normal Saturday night and Sunday.

Increasing clouds and the risk for a passing shower on Monday with
the return of cold advection and northwest flow.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Building high pressure on Tuesday will promote drier conditions. The
next chance for rain will be Wednesday as a disturbance passes to
our south.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Restrictions will be possible into early evening associated with sct
thunderstorm activity.

.Outlook...
Restrictions are likely to continue Sun mrng followed by gusty wind
with a Sun cdfnt.

&&

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

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 28, 2:02 PM EDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
202 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

MDZ001-WVZ012-021-509>514-291815-
Garrett-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
202 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Maryland and northern
West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029-
031-073>076-WVZ001>004-291815-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest-
Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-
Indiana-Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-Westmoreland Ridges-Fayette-
Fayette Ridges-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-
202 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 67 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

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

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Hazardous weather is not 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

Local storm report, Mar 28, 2:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
247 PM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0231 PM     HAIL             3 S NEW WILMINGTON      41.08N 80.33W
03/28/2020  U1.00 INCH       LAWRENCE           PA   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).

&&

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 3:09 PM EDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
309 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

OHZ039-048-057-058-281945-
Guernsey-Tuscarawas-Coshocton-Muskingum-
309 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL AND GUSTY WIND
WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN GUERNSEY...SOUTHEASTERN COSHOCTON...
NORTHEASTERN MUSKINGUM AND SOUTHWESTERN TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES...

At 309 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Dresden, or 11
miles southwest of Coshocton, moving northeast at 55 mph.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and hail up to the size of nickels are
possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Coshocton...                      Newcomerstown...
West Lafayette...                 Dresden...
Gnadenhutten...                   Port Washington...
Conesville...                     Stone Creek...
Plainfield...                     Gilmore...
Bakersville...

This includes  Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 58 and 75.

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

LAT...LON 4009 8208 4015 8210 4024 8200 4045 8157
      4036 8140 4022 8135 4008 8202
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 243DEG 47KT 4015 8199

Brown

Special weather statement, Mar 28, 3:17 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
317 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

PAZ013-014-020-281945-
Butler-Lawrence-Beaver-
317 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL WILL AFFECT
NORTHEASTERN BEAVER...SOUTHERN LAWRENCE AND NORTHWESTERN BUTLER
COUNTIES...

At 317 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Oakwood, or
near New Castle, moving east at 55 mph.

Hail up to the size of nickels is possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
New Castle...                     Butler...
Ellwood City...                   Homeacre-Lyndora...
Shanor-Northvue...                Meridian...
Slippery Rock...                  Meadowood...
Oak Hills...                      Oakwood...
New Castle Northwest...           Big Beaver...

This includes the following highways...
  Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 2 and 9.
  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 92 and 106.
  Interstate 376 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 4084 8049 4101 8049 4107 7992 4084 7989
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 269DEG 49KT 4092 8040

Local storm report, Mar 28, 3:52 PM EDT, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
352 PM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0342 PM     HAIL             NNW OVERLOOK HILLS      40.38N  80.69W
03/28/2020  E2.00 INCH       JEFFERSON          OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO REPORTS OF GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL NEAR NORTH OF
            STEUBENVILLE. ALSO 1 REPORT OF TENNIS BALL

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ2000695

SKH

Local storm report, Mar 28, 4:01 PM EDT, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
401 PM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0359 PM     HAIL             ZELIENOPLE              40.79N  80.14W
03/28/2020  E1.00 INCH       BUTLER             PA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN ZELIENOPLE

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ2000696

JKL

Local storm report, Mar 28, 4:19 PM EDT, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
419 PM EDT SAT MAR 28 2020

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

0349 PM     HAIL             FOLLANSBEE              40.34N  80.60W
03/28/2020  E1.75 INCH       BROOKE             WV   SOCIAL MEDIA

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ2000697

SKH

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 28, 10:22 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Beaver, Butler	38 min
Mar 28, 11:00 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Armstrong	45 min
Mar 28, 11:42 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Butler, Lawrence	48 min
Mar 28, 12:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango	24 min
Mar 28, 12:30 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Armstrong	45 min
Mar 28, 1:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Mercer	47 min
Mar 28, 1:43 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Armstrong	32 min
Mar 28, 1:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango	26 min
Mar 28, 2:15 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Butler	45 min
Mar 28, 2:25 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Butler, Lawrence, Mercer	35 min
Mar 28, 2:55 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Butler, Clarion	35 min
Mar 28, 3:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Clarion, Jefferson	24 min
Mar 28, 3:17 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Butler, Lawrence	28 min
Mar 28, 3:18 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Beaver, Washington	42 min
Mar 28, 3:26 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	PBZ	Armstrong, Butler, Clarion	3 hr
Mar 28, 3:31 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Beaver, Butler	29 min
Mar 28, 3:40 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Beaver, Washington	35 min
Mar 28, 3:56 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland	49 min
Mar 28, 4:10 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland	9 hr
Mar 28, 4:13 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland	47 min
Mar 28, 4:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Greene, Washington	46 min
Mar 28, 4:25 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson	50 min
Mar 28, 4:35 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson, Westmoreland	5 hr
Mar 28, 4:42 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Indiana, Westmoreland	48 min
Mar 28, 4:54 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland	51 min
Mar 28, 5:04 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Fayette, Greene, Washington	41 min
Mar 28, 5:23 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PBZ	Fayette, Greene, Washington	3 hr
Mar 28, 5:38 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland	37 min
Mar 28, 7:09 PM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Westmoreland	3 hr
Mar 28, 9:53 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Carroll, Columbiana	37 min
Mar 28, 11:21 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Columbiana	24 min
Mar 28, 3:09 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Coshocton	36 min
Mar 28, 3:29 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum, Tuscarawas	46 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2020 Flash Flood Warnings in Ohio, 2020 Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2020 Every flash flood warning in 2020

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.