Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2022
Tornado Warning 3, NWS Pittsburgh, PA
NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this tornado warning at Mar 31, 2022, 11:39 AM EDT for Armstrong County, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 21 min. 10 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 31, 2022, 11:39 AM EDT (15:39 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 31, 2022, 12:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 21 min
- Issued by
- NWS Pittsburgh, PA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Armstrong County, PA, Clarion County, PA
The radar
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:40 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 31, 11:40 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Kittanning, PA | REPORT OF TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN AROUND KITTANNING TOWNSHIP. |
| Mar 31, 11:41 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Sse Lenape Heights, PA | TREES DOWN ALONG CAMPBELL RUN RD |
| Mar 31, 11:42 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ssw Mcnees, PA | TREES DOWN ON LILAC LN AND GRAHAM RD |
| Mar 31, 11:42 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Sw Mcnees, PA | TWO TREES SNAPPED AND SEVERAL UPROOTED. SHINGLES ALSO BLOWN OFF, AND A SMALL OUTDOOR SHED WAS DESTROYED. |
| Mar 31, 11:45 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Mcnees, PA | TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES. APPEARS TO BE PART OF REAR INFLOW SURGE. |
| Mar 31, 11:45 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | West Valley, PA | TREES AND WIRES DOWN ON ANDERSON CREEK RD |
| Mar 31, 11:51 AM EDT | TORNADO | 1 Se Muff, PA | EF2 TORNADO DAMAGE IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN FORTHCOMING PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT |
| Mar 31, 11:53 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ese Belknap, PA | **CORRECTED AS IT IS NOT A CONFIRMED TORNADO.** PUBLIC AND 911 CALL CENTER CONFIRM REPORT OF A BARN COLLAPSE AND TREES DOWN ALONG STATE ROUTE 1018. POSSIBLE TORNADO. |
| Mar 31, 11:53 AM EDT | TORNADO | 1 Ese Belknap, PA | PUBLIC AND 911 CALL CENTER CONFIRM REPORT OF A BARN COLLAPSE AND TREES DOWN ALONG STATE ROUTE 1018. POSSIBLE TORNADO. |
| Mar 31, 11:54 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ese Belknap, PA | REPORT OF DAMAGE TO TWO HOMES WEST OF DAYTON. TBD IF POSSIBLE TORNADO. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 12 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 3.7 hours before the alert went out and 244 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1655 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 43 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 569 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 591 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
839
WFUS51 KPBZ 311539
TORPBZ
PAC005-031-311600-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.TO.W.0003.220331T1539Z-220331T1600Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1139 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Armstrong County in west central Pennsylvania...
Southeastern Clarion County in west central Pennsylvania...
* Until noon EDT.
* At 1139 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located over Ford City, or near Kittanning, moving
northeast at 60 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
New Bethlehem around 1155 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lenape
Heights, West Hills, Manorville, Applewold, Rural Valley, Distant,
Ford Cliff, Hawthorn, Mahoning Creek Lake and Crooked Creek Lake
Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to
the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH.
&&
LAT...LON 4068 7952 4080 7960 4103 7928 4082 7924
TIME...MOT...LOC 1539Z 230DEG 52KT 4076 7951
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$2 follow-up statements
603
WWUS51 KPBZ 311544
SVSPBZ
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1144 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
PAC005-031-311600-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-220331T1600Z/
Armstrong PA-Clarion PA-
1144 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ARMSTRONG AND SOUTHEASTERN CLARION COUNTIES...
At 1143 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Ford City, or near Kittanning, moving east at 60
mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Armstrong and southeastern Clarion Counties, including
the following locations... Applewold, Rural Valley, Distant,
Hawthorn, Manorville, Mahoning Creek Lake and West Hills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to
the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH.
&&
LAT...LON 4072 7949 4084 7954 4103 7928 4082 7924
TIME...MOT...LOC 1543Z 270DEG 52KT 4077 7942
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$653
WWUS51 KPBZ 311551
SVSPBZ
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1151 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
PAC005-031-311600-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-220331T1600Z/
Armstrong PA-Clarion PA-
1151 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ARMSTRONG AND SOUTHEASTERN CLARION COUNTIES...
At 1151 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 10 miles south of New Bethlehem, or 11 miles east of
Kittanning, moving northeast at 60 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...
Rural Valley, Hawthorn, and Mahoning Creek Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Please report severe weather by calling 412-262-1988, posting to
the NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPITTSBURGH.
&&
LAT...LON 4079 7936 4087 7942 4103 7928 4082 7924
TIME...MOT...LOC 1551Z 230DEG 52KT 4085 7930
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Mar 31, 11:27 AM EDT, 12 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 11:27 AM EDT, 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1127 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A passing cold front will keep showers and storms in the forecast today, as well as high winds. Temperature will drop over the weekend, with potential for snow showers Friday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... 11am update... Morning elevated convection is becoming increasingly surface based as it moves into upper 60/lower 70 temperature in western PA/northeast WV. Strong shear with enough CAPE (attempting to reach 500 j/kg per mesoanalysis) means areas ahead of this convective boundary will be most likely to experience damaging wind. This line is expected to shift east of the region over the next two hours, with a lull in activity until the surface cold front approaches from the west. Along it, low-topped convection will likely develop and could promote mixing of strong wind aloft to sfc to create isolated gusty wind to 40+ mph. The lack of heating recovery and waning upper jet should preclude this line from becoming severe. Precipitation chances will quickly drop after FROPA due to increasing subsidence and drier air. However, the upper trough axis won't cross the region until overnight. As this shortwave passes, introducing colder air aloft, look for an increase in iso/sct showers. Thermal profiles suggest p-type starting as rain but quickly mixing with snow, if not completely changing over. Warm surface grounds and lack of deep moisture/lift should preclude most accumulation. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... The upper level trough will complete its passage over the region Friday, with the cold core and enough jet support to foster continued iso/sct showers. Diurnal heating will lift the rain/snow mix line northeastward, meaning most locations will see rain. Higher elevations may see an inch of snow due to orographic lift and cooler thermal profiles that will better support accumulation. It should be noted that impacts may be slightly higher than forecasted snowfall amounts suggest. Due to steepening lapse rates and weak instability, snow showers may become convective (favoring the I-80 corridor) that could result in brief visibility restrictions and quick coating of roadways in the more intense showers. Subsidence and high pressure will return dry weather to the region by Friday night as the upper trough exits east. Expect temperature to remain well below seasonal averages through this period. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Building high pressure over the Great Lakes will keep Saturday weather quiet but cool, with NW flow. Warm, moist advection is expected late Monday into Tuesday as a disturbance forms over the Great Plains and tracks into the Ohio River Valley. && .AVIATION /15Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... VFR cigs and isolated to scattered rain showers are expected through the early afternoon before a cold front crosses the region, ushering in drier weather. Tight sfc gradient and a llvl jet will promote 25 to 35 kt SW/SSW gusts ahead of the frontal boundary, with potential that a shower creates local enhancement up to 40 kts. Upper trough passage overnight and a stronger cold advection will support new iso/sct shower development, with thermal profiles supporting initial rain/snow mix that will change over to snow. MVFR to localized IFR conditions will become more likely through this period. .Outlook... Restrictions and rain/snow showers are expected Friday before VFR conditions return with crossing high pressure Saturday. Periodic restriction and precipitation chances will continue into early next week with additional trough passages. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM... LONG TERM... AVIATION...
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 31, 3:01 AM EDT, 8 hours 38 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 301 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022 OHZ059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029-031-073>076-WVZ001>004- 012-021-509>514-010715- Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Butler-Clarion- Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-Indiana-Washington-Greene- Westmoreland-Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette- Higher Elevations of Fayette-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel- Marion-Monongalia- Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston- Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker- 301 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with localized damaging wind gusts are possible Thursday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. OHZ039>041-048>050-057-058-010715- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-Guernsey- 301 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Mar 31, 10:52 AM EDT, 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1052 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
PAZ029-031-WVZ004-012-021-509-311515-
Greene PA-Washington PA-Marshall WV-Marion WV-Monongalia WV-
Wetzel WV-
1052 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
...STRONG SHOWERS WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON... WESTERN
GREENE...NORTHWESTERN MONONGALIA...NORTHEASTERN WETZEL... MARSHALL
AND NORTHWESTERN MARION COUNTIES THROUGH 1115 AM EDT...
At 1051 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong showers along a
line extending from near Cameron to Pine Grove. Movement was
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Cameron, Pine Grove, Hundred, Jacksonburg, Rogersville, Aleppo,
Amity, New Freeport, Nineveh, Wileyville, Big Run, and Knob Fork.
This includes Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 20
and 26.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4011 8010 3956 8040 3953 8058 3952 8075
3982 8061
TIME...MOT...LOC 1451Z 239DEG 30KT 3978 8059 3957 8065
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial weather statement, Mar 31, 11:06 AM EDT, 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1106 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
PAZ014-021-022-029-073-075-311545-
Armstrong PA-Butler PA-Westmoreland PA-Allegheny PA-Washington PA-
Fayette PA-
1106 AM EDT Thu Mar 31 2022
...STRONG SHOWERS WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON...
SOUTHEASTERN BUTLER...ALLEGHENY...WESTERN
WESTMORELAND...SOUTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG AND NORTH CENTRAL FAYETTE
COUNTIES THROUGH 1145 AM EDT...
At 1106 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong showers along a
line extending from near Mars to near East Washington. Movement was
east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, Ross Township,
McCandless Township, Monroeville, McMurray, McKeesport, Franklin
Park, Jeannette, and Vandergrift.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 26 and 30, and
between mile markers 42 and 56.
Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 33 and 73.
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 53 and 58.
Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 64 and 84.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4073 7952 4011 7965 4017 8017 4067 8004
TIME...MOT...LOC 1506Z 254DEG 32KT 4066 8002 4018 8014
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 11:06 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | PBZ | Allegheny | 39 min |
| Mar 31, 11:16 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland | 44 min |
| Mar 31, 11:48 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | PBZ | Greene | 27 min |
| Mar 31, 11:54 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | PBZ | Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson | 21 min |
| Mar 31, 11:57 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson | 48 min |
| Mar 31, 12:06 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | PBZ | Indiana, Jefferson | 24 min |
| Mar 31, 1:05 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | PBZ | Westmoreland | 25 min |
| Mar 31, 1:09 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | PBZ | Fayette | 21 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2022Every tornado warning in 2022Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.