Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

August 4, 20204 counties in Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this tornado warning at Aug 4, 2020, 7:23 AM EDT for 4 counties in Pennsylvania. It was in force for 20 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
Aug 4, 2020, 7:23 AM EDT (11:23 UTC)
Expired
Aug 4, 2020, 7:43 AM EDT
In force
20 min
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Chester County, PA, Delaware County, PA, Montgomery County, PA, Philadelphia County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 75 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:26 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
Aug 4, 7:23 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 213 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 00:00Z on 2020-08-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 89 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 00:00Z on 2020-08-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 65 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
89 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-54 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
889 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
65 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
140 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

445 
WFUS51 KPHI 041123
TORPHI
PAC029-045-091-101-041200-
/O.NEW.KPHI.TO.W.0012.200804T1123Z-200804T1200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
723 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania...
  Northeastern Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania...
  Western Philadelphia County in southeastern Pennsylvania...
  Northeastern Delaware County in southeastern Pennsylvania...

* Until 800 AM EDT.
    
* At 722 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Philadelphia International Airport, or near
  Gloucester City, moving north at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Philadelphia, Yeadon, Conshohocken, Folcroft, Paulsboro, Narberth,
  National Park, East Lansdowne, Darby Township, Morris Park,
  Germantown, Bryn Mawr, Trout Lake, South Philadelphia, Radnor
  Township, Broomall, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia
  International Airport and Drexel Hill.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 10 and 15.
 Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 328 and 349.
 Interstate 676 in Pennsylvania near mile marker 0.
 Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 6 and 18.

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.

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4007 7546 4012 7515 3988 7518 3986 7524
      3985 7525 3985 7527
TIME...MOT...LOC 1122Z 171DEG 23KT 3987 7524 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...0.00IN

$$

Gorse
3 follow-up statements
378 
WWUS51 KPHI 041129
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
729 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

PAC029-041139-
/O.CAN.KPHI.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-200804T1200Z/
Chester PA-
729 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHESTER COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning is expected to 
stay east of this area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 400 PM EDT for southeastern
Pennsylvania.

LAT...LON 4007 7536 4006 7539 4008 7540 4012 7515
      3989 7521 3988 7525 4004 7541
TIME...MOT...LOC 1129Z 173DEG 29KT 3992 7525 

$$

PAC045-091-101-041200-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-200804T1200Z/
Montgomery PA-Philadelphia PA-Delaware PA-
729 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 AM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY...WESTERN PHILADELPHIA AND NORTHEASTERN
DELAWARE COUNTIES...
    
At 729 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Yeadon, or 7 miles west of Gloucester City, moving
north at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Philadelphia, Yeadon, Conshohocken, Narberth, East Lansdowne, Morris
Park, Germantown, Bryn Mawr, Trout Lake, South Philadelphia, Radnor
Township, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Drexel Hill, Darby Township,
Broomall, Plymouth Meeting, King Of Prussia, Darby and Lansdowne.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 13 and 14.
 Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 328 and 343, and
near mile marker 346.
 Interstate 476 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 8 and 18.

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.

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4007 7536 4006 7539 4008 7540 4012 7515
      3989 7521 3988 7525 4004 7541
TIME...MOT...LOC 1129Z 173DEG 29KT 3992 7525 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...0.00IN

$$

Gorse
533 
WWUS51 KPHI 041137
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
737 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

PAC045-041146-
/O.CAN.KPHI.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-200804T1200Z/
Delaware PA-
737 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN DELAWARE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning is moving east 
of this area, therefore the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 400 PM EDT for southeastern
Pennsylvania.

LAT...LON 4008 7531 4012 7515 3995 7520 3995 7524
TIME...MOT...LOC 1136Z 183DEG 29KT 3998 7523 

$$

PAC091-101-041200-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-200804T1200Z/
Montgomery PA-Philadelphia PA-
737 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 AM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY AND NORTHWESTERN PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES...
    
At 736 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Roxborough, or near Philadelphia, moving north at 35
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Philadelphia, Conshohocken, Narberth, Germantown, Roxborough,
Chestnut Hill, Plymouth Meeting, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, Oreland,
Glenside, Penn Wynne and Wyncote.

This includes Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 333
and 343.
 
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.

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4008 7531 4012 7515 3995 7520 3995 7524
TIME...MOT...LOC 1136Z 183DEG 29KT 3998 7523 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...0.00IN

$$

Gorse
595 
WWUS51 KPHI 041143
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
743 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

PAC091-101-041153-
/O.CAN.KPHI.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-200804T1200Z/
Montgomery PA-Philadelphia PA-
743 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY AND NORTHWESTERN
PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 400 PM EDT for southeastern
Pennsylvania.

LAT...LON 4008 7531 4012 7515 3995 7520 3995 7524
TIME...MOT...LOC 1142Z 171DEG 23KT 4003 7524 

$$

Gorse

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 4, 5:17 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHIBucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia4 hr
Aug 4, 7:28 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIChester, Delaware, Montgomery3 hr
Aug 4, 8:11 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBucks, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton4 hr
Aug 4, 8:19 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIDelaware15 hr
Aug 4, 8:19 AM EDTTornado WarningPHIBucks26 min
Aug 4, 9:23 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedPHIChester22 min
Aug 4, 9:29 AM EDTTornado WarningPHIMonroe, Northampton31 min
Aug 4, 9:38 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIMonroe, Northampton4 hr
Aug 4, 9:58 AM EDTTornado WarningPHIMonroe16 min
Aug 4, 10:02 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIChester, Delaware4 hr
Aug 4, 10:20 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia4 hr
Aug 4, 10:51 AM EDTTornado WarningPHIMontgomery24 min
Aug 4, 11:01 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBucks4 hr
Aug 4, 11:13 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPHIBerks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton4 hr
Aug 4, 11:43 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBerks, Lehigh, Northampton4 hr
Aug 4, 12:06 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIChester11 hr
Aug 4, 12:37 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIMontgomery14 hr
Aug 4, 12:48 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIChester, Delaware24 hr
Aug 4, 1:01 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIBucks18 hr
Aug 4, 1:12 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIBerks10 hr
Aug 4, 1:12 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIMontgomery26 hr
Aug 4, 1:12 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIChester, Montgomery, Philadelphia43 hr
Aug 4, 1:12 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIMontgomery, Philadelphia35 hr
Aug 4, 1:59 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHIChester, Delaware9 hr
Aug 4, 2:09 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHIBerks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia15 hr
Aug 4, 2:23 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHILehigh16 hr
Aug 4, 2:47 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHIBucks9 hr
Aug 4, 3:42 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHILehigh, Northampton4 hr
Aug 4, 4:39 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningPHIMonroe6 hr
Aug 4, 7:29 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningPHILehigh, Northampton12 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2020Every tornado warning in 2020Tornadoes 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.