Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 21, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

March 28, 2020Allegheny County, Washington County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 28, 2020, 4:13 PM EDT for Allegheny County, Washington County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 47 min. 18 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, 4:13 PM EDT (20:13 UTC)
Expired: Mar 28, 2020, 5:00 PM EDT
In force: 47 min
Issued by: NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Allegheny County, PA, Washington County, PA, Westmoreland County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:13 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, 4:13 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Wnw Hickory, PA	TREES DOWN ON BURGETTSTOWN ROAD
Mar 28, 4:13 PM EDT	HAIL 1	Mcdonald, PA	PICTURE PROVIDED.
Mar 28, 4:15 PM EDT	HAIL 2	Mcdonald, PA	PICTURE PROVIDED. DENTS WERE MADE ON CARS.
Mar 28, 4:18 PM EDT	HAIL 2	Hickory, PA
Mar 28, 4:23 PM EDT	HAIL 1	1 Ne Cecil-Bishop, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:23 PM EDT	HAIL 1.75	1 Ne Cecil-Bishop, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: GOLF BALL (1.75 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:24 PM EDT	HAIL 1	1 Nw Cecil-Bishop, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:25 PM EDT	HAIL 1	2 Sw Bridgeville, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:25 PM EDT	HAIL 2	Canonsburg, PA	PICTURE PROVIDED.
Mar 28, 4:26 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Nw Library Junction, PA	TREES DOWN ON BROOKWOOD ROAD
Mar 28, 4:26 PM EDT	HAIL 1	2 E Canonsburg, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:28 PM EDT	HAIL 0.75	1 Sw Mcmurray, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: DIME (0.75 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:30 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	West Newton, PA	ROOF OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OBSERVED
Mar 28, 4:30 PM EDT	HAIL 1	3 Sw Thompsonville, PA	REPORT FROM MPING: QUARTER (1.00 IN.).
Mar 28, 4:30 PM EDT	HAIL 1	Bethel Park, PA
Mar 28, 4:30 PM EDT	HAIL 1.5	1 N Mcmurray, PA	HAIL IN PETERS TOWNSHIP
Mar 28, 4:31 PM EDT	HAIL 1.25	Upper St. Clair, PA	HALF DOLLAR HAIL OBSERVED
Mar 28, 5:07 PM EDT	HAIL 2	2 Sw Cecil-Bishop, PA

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

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Mar 28, 1:42 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 14 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.

100 
WUUS51 KPBZ 282013
SVRPBZ
PAC003-125-129-282100-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.SV.W.0021.200328T2013Z-200328T2100Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
413 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Washington County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
  Southern Allegheny County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
  Southwestern Westmoreland County in southwestern Pennsylvania...

* Until 500 PM EDT.

* At 412 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near McDonald, or
  8 miles northeast of Avella, moving east at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Wind gusts to 60 mph and quarter-size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind 
           damage to trees and power lines, resulting in some power 
           outages.

* Locations impacted include...
  Pittsburgh...                     Mount Lebanon...
  Bethel Park...                    Monroeville...
  McMurray...                       Greensburg...
  McKeesport...                     Jeannette...
  Canonsburg...                     Gastonville...
  West Mifflin...                   Baldwin...

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 46 and 57.
  Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 62 and 78.
  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 42 and 58.
  Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 65 and 66.

Tornadoes can develop unexpectedly from severe thunderstorms. If a
tornado is reported, move to a basement or small, central room in a
sturdy structure.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4025 8039 4044 8038 4038 7953 4011 7957
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 272DEG 39KT 4036 8033 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

2 follow-up statements

688 
WWUS51 KPBZ 282027
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
427 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

PAC003-125-129-282100-
/O.CON.KPBZ.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200328T2100Z/
Washington PA-Allegheny PA-Westmoreland PA-
427 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL WASHINGTON...SOUTHERN ALLEGHENY AND SOUTHWESTERN
WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...

At 426 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Bethel Park,
moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts to 60 mph and quarter-size hail.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind 
         damage to trees and power lines, resulting in some power 
         outages.

Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh...                     Mount Lebanon...
Bethel Park...                    Monroeville...
McMurray...                       Greensburg...
McKeesport...                     Jeannette...
Canonsburg...                     Gastonville...
West Mifflin...                   Baldwin...

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 46 and 57.
  Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 62 and 78.
  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 42 and 59.
  Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 65 and 66.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4024 8031 4043 8021 4038 7953 4011 7957
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 273DEG 42KT 4034 8004 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

831 
WWUS51 KPBZ 282046
SVSPBZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
446 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

PAC003-125-129-282100-
/O.CON.KPBZ.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200328T2100Z/
Washington PA-Allegheny PA-Westmoreland PA-
446 PM EDT Sat Mar 28 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON...SOUTHEASTERN ALLEGHENY AND SOUTHWESTERN
WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...

At 446 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near White Oak, or
near McKeesport, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts to 60 mph and quarter-size hail.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind 
         damage to trees and power lines, resulting in some power 
         outages.

Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh...                     Bethel Park...
Monroeville...                    Greensburg...
McKeesport...                     Jeannette...
Gastonville...                    West Mifflin...
Baldwin...                        Whitehall...
South Park Township...            Munhall...

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 46 and 57.
  Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 62 and 78.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter indoors and stay away from windows.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

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

&&

LAT...LON 4021 8013 4041 7993 4038 7953 4011 7957
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 281DEG 36KT 4028 7980 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

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, 4:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Greene, Washington	46 min
Mar 28, 4:19 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PBZ	Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Westmoreland	3 hr
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

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2020 Every severe thunderstorm 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.