Alert archive / Delaware / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 291, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

September 3, 2020Sussex County, Delaware

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 3, 2020, 7:40 PM EDT for Sussex County, Delaware. It was in force for 65 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 3, 2020, 7:40 PM EDT (23:40 UTC)
Expired
Sep 3, 2020, 8:45 PM EDT
In force
65 min
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
70.0 mph

County Sussex County, DE

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 8 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:39 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Sep 3, 3:42 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 92 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 12:00Z on 2020-09-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 72 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 12:00Z on 2020-09-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -21 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
72 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-137 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1124 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-21 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
55 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

045 
WUUS51 KPHI 032340
SVRPHI
DEC005-040045-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0291.200903T2340Z-200904T0045Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
740 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Sussex County in southern Delaware...

* Until 845 PM EDT.

* At 739 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Ellendale to near Bridgeville to Seaford,
  moving east at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to 
           mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...
  Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Lewes, Milton, Bridgeville,
  Millville, Ellendale, Henlopen Acres, Cape Henlopen State Park,
  Long Neck, Ocean View, Greenwood and Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Protecting yourself from immediate threats to life and safety shall
take priority.  Whenever possible, as long as it does not cause
greater harm, all COVID-19 protective action guidance should be
followed.

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the 
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. A Tornado 
Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for central and southern 
Delaware.

In addition to large hail and damaging winds, frequent cloud to
ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors
immediately. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough
to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3866 7568 3884 7560 3884 7555 3885 7554
      3888 7521 3881 7508 3852 7503
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 276DEG 37KT 3882 7550 3873 7551 3866 7558 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...70MPH
 
$$

Staarmann
4 follow-up statements
036 
WWUS51 KPHI 040006
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
806 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

DEC005-040045-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0291.000000T0000Z-200904T0045Z/
Sussex DE-
806 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN SUSSEX COUNTY...

At 805 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Lewes to 7 miles southeast of Milton to near
Millsboro, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, 
         siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Millsboro, Lewes, Milton, Millville, Henlopen Acres, Cape Henlopen
State Park, Long Neck, Ocean View and Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Protecting yourself from immediate threats to life and safety shall
take priority.  Whenever possible, as long as it does not cause
greater harm, all COVID-19 protective action guidance should be
followed.

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the 
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. A Tornado 
Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for southern Delaware.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3860 7539 3870 7536 3881 7530 3882 7508
      3859 7504 3855 7503 3852 7504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0005Z 276DEG 35KT 3876 7522 3869 7523 3862 7528 

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

Staarmann
954 
WWUS51 KPHI 040022
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
822 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

DEC005-040045-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0291.000000T0000Z-200904T0045Z/
Sussex DE-
822 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN SUSSEX COUNTY...

At 822 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Henlopen Acres to near Millville to near
Dagsboro, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, 
         siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Millville, Henlopen Acres, Long Neck, Ocean View, South Bethany and
Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Protecting yourself from immediate threats to life and safety shall
take priority.  Whenever possible, as long as it does not cause
greater harm, all COVID-19 protective action guidance should be
followed.

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the 
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. A Tornado 
Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for southern Delaware.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3857 7525 3862 7519 3873 7522 3875 7507
      3874 7506 3857 7503 3853 7503 3852 7504
      3852 7506
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 280DEG 30KT 3868 7504 3863 7511 3857 7518 

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

Staarmann
446 
WWUS51 KPHI 040031
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
831 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

DEC005-040045-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0291.000000T0000Z-200904T0045Z/
Sussex DE-
831 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL SUSSEX COUNTY...

At 831 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Henlopen Acres to Millville, moving east at 30
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, 
         siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Millville, Long Neck, Ocean View and Dewey Beach. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Protecting yourself from immediate threats to life and safety shall
take priority.  Whenever possible, as long as it does not cause
greater harm, all COVID-19 protective action guidance should be
followed.

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the 
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. A Tornado 
Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for southern Delaware.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3853 7509 3856 7515 3871 7511 3871 7506
      3863 7504 3853 7503 3852 7504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 282DEG 26KT 3866 7505 3857 7510 

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

Staarmann
216 
WWUS51 KPHI 040038
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
838 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

DEC005-040046-
/O.EXP.KPHI.SV.W.0291.000000T0000Z-200904T0045Z/
Sussex DE-
838 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2020

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL SUSSEX COUNTY
WILL EXPIRE AT 845 PM EDT...
    
The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe 
limits and have moved offshore. Therefore, the warning will be 
allowed to expire.  However gusty winds and heavy rain are still 
possible over the next half hour or so.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for southern
Delaware.

LAT...LON 3853 7509 3856 7515 3871 7511 3871 7506
      3863 7504 3853 7503 3852 7504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0036Z 276DEG 37KT 3865 7499 3856 7504 

$$

Staarmann

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 2, 10:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementPHISussex55 min
Sep 3, 6:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIKent, Sussex57 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Delaware, 2020Every 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.