Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 29, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

May 26, 2021Berks County, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 26, 2021, 4:10 PM EDT for Berks County, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 65 min. 34 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: May 26, 2021, 4:10 PM EDT (20:10 UTC)
Expired: May 26, 2021, 5:15 PM EDT
In force: 65 min
Issued by: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Berks County, PA, Lehigh County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 145 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:11 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
May 26, 4:11 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 W Hamburg, PA	POWER POLE SNAPPED ON HOLLY ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:13 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sse Penn Twp, PA	DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND WIRES NEAR GARFIELD ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:24 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 45	Reading Regional Airpor, PA
May 26, 4:25 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 W Reading Regional Ai, PA	DOWNED TREE ON U.S. HIGHWAY 222 NEAR BERNVILLE ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:27 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 E Reading Regional Ai, PA	DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND WIRES NEAR RIVER ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:27 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 E South Heidelberg Tw, PA	DOWNED TREES AND WIRES NEAR CHAPEL HILL ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:27 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sw Greenwich Twp, PA	DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND WIRES NEAR CHRISTMAN ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:29 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Nw Wyomissing, PA	TREE LIMBS AND WIRES DOWN NEAR WESTWOOD ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:29 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 N Richmond Twp, PA	MPING REPORTS OF TREES UPROOTED AND POWER POLES SNAPPED NEAR ADAM ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:30 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Richmond Twp, PA	SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO OF A TREE BLOWING DOWN FROM STRONG WINDS.
May 26, 4:31 PM EDT	HAIL 0.5	1 Wnw Fleetwood, PA	MPING REPORT OF HALF INCH HAIL.
May 26, 4:33 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Wnw Fleetwood, PA	MPING REPORT OF TREE LIMBS AND WIRES DOWN.
May 26, 4:33 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Wnw Oley, PA	DOWNED TREE ON BASKET ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:35 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ssw Kutztown, PA	DOWNED TREES AND WIRES ON KUTZTOWN ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:35 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Wsw Kutztown, PA	DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND WIRES NEAR LYTLE LANE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:35 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 N Richmond Twp, PA	MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ON CRYSTAL RIDGE ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR AND DISPATCH REPORT.
May 26, 4:39 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ene Lyons, PA	SEVERAL REPORTS OF DOWNED TREES AND WIRES IN THE BOWERS AREA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:40 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Nw District Twp, PA	TREE DOWN REPORTED WITH HIGH WINDS AND PEA SIZED HAIL.
May 26, 4:46 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 45	Mertztown, PA	CWOP STATION MEASURED GUST.
May 26, 4:48 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 N Mertztown, PA	SEVERAL REPORTS OF TREES AND WIRES DOWN IN THE KLINES CORNER AND MAXATAWNY AREAS. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:48 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Nne Topton, PA	MPING REPORT OF DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES NEAR OLD TOPTON ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:48 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Ssw District Twp, PA	DOWNED TREES AND WIRES NEAR FORGE DALE ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:48 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 W Douglass Twp, PA	DOWNED TREE ON POWDER MILL HOLLOW ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:52 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Mertztown, PA	MPING REPORT OF DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES NEAR VALLEY ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:53 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ene Huffs Church, PA	DOWNED TREES AND WIRES NEAR MULBERRY HILL ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:53 PM EDT	HAIL 0.5	1 Wsw Topton, PA	MPING REPORT OF HALF INCH HAIL.
May 26, 4:54 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wsw Allentown, PA	DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND WIRES NEAR HICKORY CIRCLE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:55 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Nw Emmaus, PA	6 HOMES ALONG OAKWOOD TRAIL AND DOGWOOD TRAIL DAMAGED BY STRONG WIND GUSTS AND FALLEN TREES.
May 26, 4:55 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wsw Allentown, PA	DOWNED WIRES NEAR HAINES MILL ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:55 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Allentown, PA	SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO OF A SNAPPED TREE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR ALLENTOWN. TIME CORRECTED BASED ON RADAR.
May 26, 4:58 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sw Reiffton, PA	DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND WIRES NEAR RIDGEWAY ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:58 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Ene Ancient Oaks, PA	DOWNED TREES AND WIRES NEAR KRESSLER ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 4:58 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Sw Allentown, PA	SEVERAL REPORTS OF TREES AND WIRES DOWN SOUTHWEST OF ALLENTOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 26, 5:00 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 40	1 Se Macungie, PA	CWOP MEASURED GUST.

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
May 26, 2:48 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 211 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: 478 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -132 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 922 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 35 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 50 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

112 
WUUS51 KPHI 262010
SVRPHI
PAC011-077-262115-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0029.210526T2010Z-210526T2115Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
410 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Berks County in eastern Pennsylvania...
  Central Lehigh County in eastern Pennsylvania...

* Until 515 PM EDT.

* At 409 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Hamburg to near Lawn, moving east at 30 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is 
           possible.

* Locations impacted include...
  Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Wyomissing, Birdsboro,
  Kutztown, Hamburg, Fleetwood, Sinking Spring, Laureldale,
  Womelsdorf, Wernersville, Topton, Robesonia, Leesport,
  Shoemakersville, Bernville, Lyons and Lenhartsville.

This includes the following highways...
 Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 296 and 299.
 Northeast Extension between mile markers 53 and 61.
 Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 24 and 58.
 Interstate 176 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 1 and 11.

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.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4058 7604 4057 7602 4061 7601 4066 7595
      4067 7591 4065 7542 4039 7563 4014 7587
      4031 7614 4036 7621 4039 7627
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 263DEG 27KT 4057 7601 4020 7650 

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Meola

3 follow-up statements

400 
WWUS51 KPHI 262043
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
443 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

PAC011-077-262115-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0029.000000T0000Z-210526T2115Z/
Berks PA-Lehigh PA-
443 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT
FOR BERKS AND CENTRAL LEHIGH COUNTIES...

At 441 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Coffeetown to near New Morgan, moving east at 45
mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar and Trained weather spotters.

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

Locations impacted include...
Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Wyomissing, Birdsboro,
Kutztown, Hamburg, Fleetwood, Sinking Spring, Laureldale, Womelsdorf,
Wernersville, Topton, Robesonia, Leesport, Shoemakersville,
Bernville, Lyons and Lenhartsville.

This includes the following highways...
 Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 296 and 299.
 Northeast Extension between mile markers 53 and 61.
 Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 24 and 58.
 Interstate 176 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 1 and 11.

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.

These storms are producing widespread wind damage across Berks 
County. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay away 
from windows.
 
&&

LAT...LON 4058 7604 4057 7602 4061 7601 4066 7595
      4067 7591 4065 7542 4039 7563 4014 7587
      4031 7614 4036 7621 4039 7627
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 263DEG 39KT 4062 7560 4022 7593 

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

Deal

355 
WWUS51 KPHI 262100
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
500 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

PAC011-077-262115-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0029.000000T0000Z-210526T2115Z/
Berks PA-Lehigh PA-
500 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT
FOR EASTERN BERKS AND CENTRAL LEHIGH COUNTIES...

At 459 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Allentown to near Birdsboro, moving east at 30
mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Wyomissing, Birdsboro,
Kutztown, Fleetwood, Sinking Spring, Laureldale, Wernersville,
Topton, Lyons, New Morgan, Spring Ridge, Coffeetown, Ancient Oaks,
Claussville, Catasauqua and Shillington.

This includes the following highways...
 Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 296 and 299.
 Northeast Extension between mile markers 53 and 61.
 Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 42 and 58.
 Interstate 176 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 1 and 11.

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.

These storms are producing widespread wind damage across Berks 
county. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay away 
from windows.
 
&&

LAT...LON 4030 7612 4066 7569 4065 7542 4039 7563
      4014 7587
TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 263DEG 27KT 4063 7551 4023 7584 

HAIL...<.75IN
WIND...70MPH
 
$$

Deal

786 
WWUS51 KPHI 262116
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
516 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

PAC011-077-262126-
/O.EXP.KPHI.SV.W.0029.000000T0000Z-210526T2115Z/
Berks PA-Lehigh PA-
516 PM EDT Wed May 26 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN BERKS AND CENTRAL
LEHIGH COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...
    
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.  However gusty
winds are still possible with these thunderstorms.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
eastern Pennsylvania.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Mount Holly NJ.

LAT...LON 4030 7612 4066 7569 4065 7542 4039 7563
      4014 7587
TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 263DEG 27KT 4064 7536 4024 7569 

$$

Deal

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 26, 3:39 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Berks	56 min
May 26, 4:46 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton	44 min
May 26, 4:52 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Chester, Delaware, Montgomery	38 min
May 26, 5:27 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia	48 min
May 26, 5:34 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Northampton	41 min
May 26, 5:37 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Chester	53 min
May 26, 5:53 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia	67 min
May 26, 6:52 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Berks	38 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2021 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2021

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.