Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 7, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

February 28, 2024Fayette County, Greene County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 28, 2024, 8:25 AM EST for Fayette County, Greene County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 35 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
Feb 28, 2024, 8:25 AM EST (13:25 UTC)
Expired
Feb 28, 2024, 9:00 AM EST
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Fayette County, PA, Greene County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:25 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 nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 60 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, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 2024-02-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 101 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 2024-02-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 493 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
101 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-85 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
901 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
68 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
493 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
521 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.0

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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Feb 28, 3:55 AM EST, 4 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 28, 3:55 AM EST, 4 hours 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
355 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Showers and thunderstorms will cross the region today ahead of
a strong cold front, posing the risk for strong wind gusts,
large hail, and localized heavy rains. Much colder air behind
the front will return the area to below normal temperatures on
Thursday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
KEY MESSAGES:

- Additional showers and thunderstorms expected ahead of
  approaching surface cold front.

- Risk for damaging wind will mainly be associated with showers
  right along frontal boundary.

- Strong wind gusts also favored over higher terrain given
  closer proximity to low level jet.

- Rapid drop in temperature expected behind the front with
  precipitation chances diminishing as well.

_______________________________________________________________

A strong surface cold front will rapidly move through Ohio this
morning and then clear the rest of the forecast area by late
afternoon. Impressive jet-ascent right along the boundary will
work to support showers and storms until the front clears. With
the jet, and multiple crossing shortwave troughs, showers and
storms will move through the area well ahead of the front. The
coverage of storms continues to look isolated to scattered as
instability is limited. However, there is plenty of wind shear
which would work to support updrafts and could allow taller
updrafts to tap into the very strong winds aloft. Additionally,
with lowered February freezing levels, large hail will be
possible as well. Even outside of thunderstorms, strong wind
gusts will remain a threat for the entire area as elevated
instability will work to bring the strong winds aloft to the
surface. Strong wind gusts will continue after FROPA as pressure
rises and cold air advection continue to pull the winds aloft
to the ground. It is possible that a more organized line of
convection will develop right ahead of the cold front which
could present the greatest threat for strong to severe storms.

As the front rushes eastward and clears the area, much colder
and drier air will spread across the region. This will bring a
rapid end to the precipitation behind the front and also cause
surface temperatures to fall. High temperatures today will be
reached in the morning or early afternoon, depending on the
timing of the front, and will fall 20 to 25 degrees by the
evening.

The other concern for today is the threat for heavy rain fall.
Models are showing highly anomalous PWATs for late February
which will make for very efficient rainfall, particularly within
stronger storms. NBM probabilities for >1.00 inch of rain are
generally 40-70% and focused south of I-80. The lower numbers
are to the north and the higher numbers are over counties within
the current flood watch.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY/...
KEY MESSAGES:

- Lake enhanced/upslope snow showers possible Wednesday night
- Much colder temperatures Thursday.
- Dry Thursday with decreasing cloud cover.
- Warmer Friday with increasing cloud cover. A late day shower
  is possible.
  ______________________________________________________________

With a strengthening nw flow and strong cold air advection, snow
showers are possible Wednesday evening and into the overnight
hours. The areas with the best chance to see snow will be the
I-80 corridor and the ridges. However, as much drier air
continues to overspread the region, the risk for snow showers
will taper off.

Large surface high will move toward and settle over the region
on Thursday. This should keep the area dry and allow for the
morning cloud cover to dissipate. Temperatures Thursday will
return to below normal levels.

Brief height rises Friday, and southerly flow on the backside
of the exiting low, will promote warm air advection and a
moderation in temperatures. A shortwave trough will move over
western Ohio late Friday and cause an increase in clouds during
the afternoon. Temperatures Friday will average close to 10
degrees above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
KEY MESSAGES:

- A warming trend follows for Friday into next week, with a
  couple chances of light precipitation.
  _______________________________________________________________

A crossing shortwave trough will increase the threat for light
rain showers Friday night and Saturday morning. NBM
probabilities for >0.10 inches are highest southeast of PIT,
about 40-50%, and then north of I-70, where they drop off to 10
to 20%. Have focused higher PoPs over northern WV and the ridge
counties Friday night.

Strong height rises aloft are then favored into early next
week.

The longwave pattern will support eastern CONUS ridging and
western CONUS troughing, leading to well above normal
temperature and only intermittent chances for precipitation
dependent on low pressure systems tracking to the west of the
Upper Ohio River Valley.

&&

.AVIATION /09Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Another shortwave ahead of the main trough/sfc cold front will
bring showers and an isolated threat for thunder early this
morning. MVFR conditions are expected as low level moisture
increases. Included predominant showers in the tafs, though it
will not be raining the entire time. A crossing low-level jet
will also result in a LLWS potential through early morning.

The strong cold front will cross the region from late morning
through early afternoon. MVFR is expected, along with isolated
embedded thunderstorms. Maintained the VCTS mention for this
potential. Wind should also increase through the day Wednesday
with a tightening pressure gradient. Strong pressure rises, cold
advection, and steepening low level lapse rates should result in
gusts to 35 kt from the WSW-W near and after FROPA. MVFR should
continue after FROPA, with a few snow showers possible in strong
cold advection. VFR return is expected areawide before 06Z
Thursday.

.Outlook...
VFR should return, and wind will diminish Thursday and Friday
under building high pressure. Restrictions are possible Saturday
with a crossing trough, before VFR returns Sunday under high
pressure.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flood Watch through this evening for PAZ031-075-076.
OH...Flood Watch through this evening for OHZ068-069.
WV...Flood Watch through this evening for WVZ004-012-021-509>514.
     Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 AM EST Thursday
     for WVZ512>514.

&&

SYNOPSIS...22/Frazier
NEAR TERM...22
SHORT TERM...22
LONG TERM...22/Frazier
AVIATION...WM/Rackley
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 28, 3:39 AM EST, 4 hours 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
339 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ039>041-048>050-057-058-PAZ007>009-013>015-020-WVZ001-002-290845-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-
Beaver-Hancock-Brooke-
339 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western
Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Strong wind gusts are possible today, notably associated with storms
along and ahead of a potent cold front.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ059-PAZ016-021-022-029-073-074-077-078-WVZ003-290845-
Belmont-Jefferson PA-Allegheny-Armstrong-Washington-Westmoreland-
Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Indiana-
Higher Elevations of Indiana-Ohio-
339 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western
Pennsylvania and the northern panhandle of West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Isolated severe storms are possible today. The main threat will be
large hail and damaging wind gusts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ068-069-PAZ031-075-076-WVZ004-012-021-509>511-290845-
Noble-Monroe-Greene-Fayette-Higher Elevations of Fayette-Marshall-
Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
339 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Isolated severe storms are possible today. The main threat will be
large hail and localized gusty wind. Rounds of heavier rainfall will
also increase the risk for flooding, especially in small creeks and
other low lying, flood prone locations.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

WVZ512>514-290845-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
339 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TODAY TO 10 AM THURSDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Isolated severe storms are possible today. The main threat will be
large hail and localized gusty wind. Rounds of heavier rainfall will
also increase the risk for flooding, especially in small creeks and
other low lying, flood prone locations.

The threat for strong winds gusts will continue tonight. Gusts to
55mph are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

The threat for strong winds gusts will Thursday morning. Gusts to
55mph are possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 28, 6:27 AM EST, 1 hour 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
627 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ039-040-048-049-057-058-281215-
Guernsey OH-Tuscarawas OH-Harrison OH-Coshocton OH-Muskingum OH-
Carroll OH-
627 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN HARRISON...GUERNSEY...
COSHOCTON...NORTHERN MUSKINGUM...CARROLL AND TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES
THROUGH 715 AM EST...

At 627 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Winesburg to near Zanesville. Movement was
east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Zanesville, New Philadelphia, Dover, Coshocton, Cambridge,
Uhrichsville, Carrollton, Freeport, Newcomerstown, Minerva, Dennison,
Strasburg, New Concord, West Lafayette, Sugarcreek, North Zanesville,
Dresden, Frazeysburg, Augusta, and Gnadenhutten.

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in Ohio near mile marker 145, between mile markers
  163 and 164, and between mile markers 167 and 198.
  Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 44 and 95.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 AM EST for east central
Ohio.

&&

LAT...LON 3995 8220 4017 8219 4039 8186 4045 8184
      4045 8167 4063 8167 4067 8146 4065 8124
      4072 8124 4073 8120 4073 8092 4017 8115
      4017 8123 4001 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 1127Z 264DEG 44KT 4064 8171 3998 8209

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TC
Special weather statement, Feb 28, 7:01 AM EST, 1 hour 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
701 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ039-040-049-050-058-059-281245-
Guernsey OH-Jefferson OH-Tuscarawas OH-Harrison OH-Belmont OH-
Carroll OH-
701 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT HARRISON...JEFFERSON...
NORTHEASTERN GUERNSEY...SOUTHERN CARROLL...NORTHERN BELMONT AND
SOUTHEASTERN TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES THROUGH 745 AM EST...

At 701 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Dennison to near Byesville. Movement was
east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Weirton, Steubenville, Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville, Bellaire,
Barnesville, Cadiz, Wellsburg, Freeport, Toronto, Wintersville, Mingo
Junction, Follansbee, Dennison, Tiltonsville, New Cumberland,
Bridgeport, Benwood, Bethesda, and Antrim.

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in Ohio between mile markers 184 and 225.
  Interstate 70 in West Virginia near mile marker 0.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4051 8128 4054 8063 4048 8059 4040 8061
      4039 8063 4037 8061 4032 8060 4026 8062
      4025 8065 4020 8067 4015 8071 4010 8071
      4008 8074 4004 8073 4000 8074 3999 8150
TIME...MOT...LOC 1201Z 260DEG 41KT 4044 8128 3999 8148

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

TC
Special weather statement, Feb 28, 7:42 AM EST, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
742 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

OHZ050-059-PAZ020-021-029-WVZ001>003-281315-
Jefferson OH-Belmont OH-Beaver PA-Allegheny PA-Washington PA-
Brooke WV-Ohio WV-Hancock WV-
742 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON...
NORTHEASTERN BELMONT...SOUTHWESTERN BEAVER...WASHINGTON...CENTRAL
ALLEGHENY...OHIO...BROOKE AND HANCOCK COUNTIES THROUGH 815 AM EST...

At 742 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hooverson Heights, or near Avella, moving east at 75 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, Ross Township,
McCandless Township, Moon Township, McMurray, Weirton, McKeesport,
Steubenville, Washington, Franklin Park, Canonsburg, Martins Ferry,
Warwood, Wellsburg, West Liberty, Avella, and Clearview.

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 10 and 31.
  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 32 and 70.
  Parkway North between mile markers 1 and 12.
  Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 50 and 78.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4011 8082 4045 8069 4060 7998 4041 7984
      4014 7994
TIME...MOT...LOC 1242Z 256DEG 64KT 4031 8053

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TC
Local storm report, Feb 28, 7:58 AM EST, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
758 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0724 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Ozark                   39.82N  81.08W
02/28/2024                   Monroe             OH   Dept of Highways

            DOT reporting multiple trees down along State Route 26
            through Ozark. Time estimated based on radar.

0726 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Beallsville             39.85N  81.04W
02/28/2024                   Monroe             OH   Dept of Highways

            DOT reports multiple trees down around Beallsville.
            Time estimated based on radar.

&&

Event Number PBZ2401853
Event Number PBZ2401854

JF
Local storm report, Feb 28, 8:01 AM EST, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
801 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0730 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Armstrongs Mills        39.91N  80.93W
02/28/2024                   Belmont            OH   Dept of Highways

            DOT reported a downed tree along State Route 148
            through Armstrongs Mills. Time estimated based on radar.

&&

Event Number PBZ2401855

JF
Local storm report, Feb 28, 8:18 AM EST, 7 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 27, 9:23 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZArmstrong37 min
Feb 28, 2:49 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZWestmoreland26 min
Feb 28, 3:07 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZMercer23 min
Feb 28, 4:08 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZClarion37 min
Feb 28, 7:42 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZAllegheny, Washington33 min
Feb 28, 7:55 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZGreene, Washington35 min
Feb 28, 8:07 AM ESTAreal Flood AdvisoryPBZAllegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington102 min
Feb 28, 9:02 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZSomerset28 min
Feb 28, 1:58 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZMarshall, Ohio32 min
Feb 28, 7:09 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZMarshall, Ohio51 min
Feb 28, 7:16 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBrooke, Hancock, Ohio29 min
Feb 28, 3:03 PM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZPreston42 min
Feb 28, 1:01 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZMuskingum14 min
Feb 28, 1:10 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZMuskingum35 min
Feb 28, 1:17 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZGuernsey, Muskingum, Noble28 min
Feb 28, 5:45 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZCoshocton, Tuscarawas45 min
Feb 28, 6:12 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZMuskingum33 min
Feb 28, 6:22 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZMuskingum23 min
Feb 28, 6:27 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZCarroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Muskingum, Tuscarawas48 min
Feb 28, 6:44 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZGuernsey, Muskingum, Noble31 min
Feb 28, 7:01 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementPBZBelmont, Harrison, Jefferson44 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024

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.