Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2022

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 48, NWS State College, PA

May 20, 2022Lancaster County, York County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 20, 2022, 1:58 PM EDT for Lancaster County, York County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 47 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: May 20, 2022, 1:58 PM EDT (17:58 UTC)
Expired: May 20, 2022, 2:45 PM EDT
In force: 47 min
Issued by: NWS State College, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Lancaster County, PA, York County, PA

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 141 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:02 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 20, 11:35 AM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 6.0 hours before the alert went out and 139 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: 1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -226 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1469 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 106 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 169 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: -0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 20, 11:46 AM EDT, 2 hours 12 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 20, 11:46 AM EDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, May 20, 12:57 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

PAZ017-024-033-211700-
Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Very warm and humid conditions are expected Saturday. Maximum heat
index values are forecast in the low to mid 90s. Be mindful of heat
stress impacts given limited heat exposure and acclimation this
early
in the year.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ025-034-035-211700-
Blair-Bedford-Fulton-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...TORNADO WATCH 251 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

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

   Tornado Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Very warm and humid conditions are expected Saturday. Maximum heat
index values are forecast in the low to mid 90s. Be mindful of heat
stress impacts given limited heat exposure and acclimation this
early
in the year.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ005-010-011-211700-
McKean-Elk-Cameron-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ028-036-049>053-056>059-063>066-211700-
Juniata-Franklin-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-
Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...TORNADO WATCH 251 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

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

   Tornado Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hot and humid conditions are expected Saturday. Maximum heat index
values are forecast in the mid to upper 90s and approaching 100
degrees in some areas. Be mindful of heat stress impacts given
limited heat exposure and acclimation this early in the year.

Isolated severe storms with wind damage and hail will be possible
Sunday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ045-046-211700-
Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hot and humid conditions are expected Saturday. Maximum heat index
values are forecast in the mid to upper 90s and approaching 100
degrees in some areas. Be mindful of heat stress impacts given
limited heat exposure and acclimation this early in the year.

Isolated severe storms with wind damage and hail will be possible
Sunday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ004-211700-
Warren-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

A marginal hail and wind-damage threat will be possible Saturday
afternoon.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ018-019-026-027-211700-
Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Huntingdon-Mifflin-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...TORNADO WATCH 251 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

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

   Tornado Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Very warm and humid conditions are expected Saturday. Maximum heat
index values are forecast in the low to mid 90s. Be mindful of heat
stress impacts given limited heat exposure and acclimation this
early
in the year.

Isolated severe storms with wind damage and hail will be possible
Sunday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ006-012-037-041-042-211700-
Potter-Northern Clinton-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-
1257 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Isolated severe storms with wind damage and hail will be possible
Sunday afternoon and evening.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

Lambert

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 20, 11:35 AM EDT, 2 hours 23 minutes before

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Special weather statement, May 20, 11:53 AM EDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1153 AM EDT Fri May 20 2022

PAZ065-066-201630-
Lancaster PA-York PA-
1153 AM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN LANCASTER AND CENTRAL
YORK COUNTIES THROUGH 1230 PM EDT...

At 1153 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
York, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Columbia, Elizabethtown and Rheems around 1200 PM EDT.
  Mount Joy, Salunga-Landisville and Mountville around 1205 PM EDT.
  Manheim and East Petersburg around 1210 PM EDT.
  Lititz around 1215 PM EDT.
  Akron, Brickerville and Rothsville around 1220 PM EDT.
  Ephrata, Reamstown and Denver around 1225 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include York Haven, Schoeneck,
Penryn, Reinholds and Lancaster Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for south central
Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 3992 7670 4008 7683 4013 7674 4012 7673
      4012 7672 4014 7671 4017 7666 4017 7664
      4019 7661 4019 7657 4024 7644 4025 7631
      4031 7616 4021 7599
TIME...MOT...LOC 1553Z 239DEG 49KT 4005 7668

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Jurewicz

Special weather statement, May 20, 12:45 PM EDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1245 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

PAZ065-066-201730-
Lancaster PA-York PA-
1245 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LANCASTER AND
CENTRAL YORK COUNTIES THROUGH 130 PM EDT...

At 1245 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
York, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lancaster, York, Elizabethtown, Columbia, Lititz, Mount Joy, Manheim,
East Petersburg, Shiloh, East York, Leola, Stonybrook-Wilshire,
Salunga-Landisville, Maytown, Rothsville, Mountville, Manchester,
Hallam, Emigsville and Marietta.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for south central
Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 3997 7668 3998 7677 4004 7679 4024 7638
      4009 7616
TIME...MOT...LOC 1645Z 250DEG 35KT 4001 7672

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Lambert

Special weather statement, May 20, 1:19 PM EDT, 39 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
119 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

PAZ056-057-063-201815-
Perry PA-Cumberland PA-Dauphin PA-
119 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT DAUPHIN...NORTHERN CUMBERLAND AND
EASTERN PERRY COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM EDT...

At 118 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 17 miles northwest of Enola to 15 miles west of
Mechanicsburg to near Carlisle. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Harrisburg, Carlisle, Lower Allen, Hershey, Colonial Park, Progress,
Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Palmyra, New Cumberland, Linglestown,
Enola, Steelton, Lemoyne, Hummelstown, Plainfield, Paxtonia,
Schlusser, Rutherford and Skyline View.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for south central
and central Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 4025 7746 4052 7715 4066 7670 4047 7668
      4029 7661 4021 7689 4023 7690 4021 7691
      4008 7736
TIME...MOT...LOC 1718Z 248DEG 43KT 4051 7710 4030 7729 4013 7731

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Lambert

Special weather statement, May 20, 1:41 PM EDT, 17 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
141 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

PAZ026-035-036-201815-
Fulton PA-Franklin PA-Huntingdon PA-
141 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HUNTINGDON...
FRANKLIN AND NORTHEASTERN FULTON COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM EDT...

At 141 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 16 miles northwest of Shippensburg to 18 miles
west of Chambersburg to near Breezewood. Movement was east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Guilford, St. Thomas, Fayetteville,
Scotland, McConnellsburg, Harrisonville, Marion, Fort Loudon, Fort
Littleton, Saluvia, Roxbury, Doylesburg, Locust Grove, Upper
Strasburg, Willow Hill, Sideling Hill Rest Area, Fannettsburg and
Orrstown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for south central
and central Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 3985 7825 4003 7814 4022 7787 4027 7770
      4029 7767 4023 7765 4022 7763 4020 7761
      4018 7762 4016 7761 4013 7757 4004 7752
      3990 7746 3986 7747
TIME...MOT...LOC 1741Z 263DEG 42KT 4017 7779 3998 7800 3987 7822

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Lambert

Special weather statement, May 20, 1:55 PM EDT, 3 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
155 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

PAZ053-201815-
Columbia PA-
155 PM EDT Fri May 20 2022

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIA COUNTY
THROUGH 215 PM EDT...

At 155 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 13 miles north of Bloomsburg to Berwick to near
Shenandoah. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Berwick, Mifflinville, Almedia, Mainville, Shumans, Lime Ridge,
Benton, Briar Creek and Stillwater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for central
Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 4093 7635 4102 7639 4117 7642 4124 7632
      4120 7632 4114 7628 4113 7626 4114 7623
      4103 7623 4096 7621
TIME...MOT...LOC 1755Z 239DEG 37KT 4119 7636 4108 7630 4094 7628

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Lambert

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 20, 10:36 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Bedford, Somerset	39 min
May 20, 10:56 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset	49 min
May 20, 11:20 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	CTP	Bedford, Somerset	55 min
May 20, 11:53 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Lancaster	37 min
May 20, 12:09 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	CTP	Bedford, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon	81 min
May 20, 12:45 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Lancaster	45 min
May 20, 1:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Lancaster	61 min
May 20, 1:18 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, York	42 min
May 20, 1:19 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry	56 min
May 20, 1:41 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Franklin, Fulton	34 min
May 20, 1:41 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry	34 min
May 20, 1:55 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Columbia	20 min
May 20, 2:11 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	Dauphin, Lebanon	34 min
May 20, 2:16 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CTP	York	29 min
May 20, 2:30 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CTP	Schuylkill	60 min
May 20, 2:33 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	CTP	Lancaster	42 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2022 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2022

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.