Alert archive / New Jersey / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 53, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

May 16, 2025Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Delaware; 4 counties in New Jersey

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 16, 2025, 6:35 PM EDT for Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Delaware; 4 counties in New Jersey. It was in force for 70 min. 2 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 16, 2025, 6:35 PM EDT (22:35 UTC)
Expired: May 16, 2025, 7:45 PM EDT
In force: 70 min
Issued by: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 1.5 in
Wind: 70.0 mph

Counties Kent County, DE, New Castle County, DE, Sussex County, DE, Cape May County, NJ, Cumberland County, NJ, Gloucester County, NJ, Salem County, NJ

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 60 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:39 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 16, 7:05 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 S Bethel, DE	Extensive tree damage including downed trees on Rd 493. Time estimated from radar.
May 16, 7:10 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Laurel, DE	Numerous trees and wires down across the west side of Laurel. Time estimated from radar.

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 16, 4:36 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	3 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 156 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: 1302 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -77 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 868 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 71 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 197 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: -0.1
Supercell composite: -0.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

462 
WUUS51 KPHI 162235
SVRPHI
DEC001-003-005-NJC009-011-015-033-162345-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0053.250516T2235Z-250516T2345Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
635 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Sussex County in southern Delaware...
  New Castle County in northern Delaware...
  Kent County in central Delaware...
  Cumberland County in southern New Jersey...
  Salem County in southern New Jersey...
  Gloucester County in southern New Jersey...
  Northwestern Cape May County in southern New Jersey...

* Until 745 PM EDT.

* At 635 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from North East to Cecilton to near Starr to near
  Cambridge, moving east at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
           damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
           considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to 
           mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...
  Wilmington, Vineland, Dover, Newark, Millville, Bridgeton,
  Middletown, Georgetown, Cumberland, Glassboro, Pennsville, Smyrna,
  Milford, Pitman, Carneys Point, Seaford, Elsmere, New Castle, Penns
  Grove, and Salem.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside
should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay
away from windows.

In addition to large hail and damaging winds, frequent cloud to
ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors
immediately. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough
to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7569 3972 7579 3978 7573 3983 7509
      3978 7509 3979 7506 3972 7501 3968 7492
      3961 7488 3952 7499 3942 7486 3933 7487
      3931 7483 3918 7490 3893 7527 3882 7507
      3845 7503
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 267DEG 39KT 3961 7595 3938 7585 3898 7605 3856
7603

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Staarmann

4 follow-up statements

403 
WWUS51 KPHI 162259
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
659 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

DEC001-003-005-NJC009-011-015-033-162345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250516T2345Z/
Sussex DE-New Castle DE-Kent DE-Cumberland NJ-Salem NJ-Gloucester NJ-
Cape May NJ-
659 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX...NEW CASTLE...KENT...CUMBERLAND...SALEM...GLOUCESTER AND
NORTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTIES...

At 658 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Saint Georges to near Woodland Beach to near 
Greensboro to Sharptown, moving east at 50 mph. These storms have a 
history of producing damaging winds across a eastern Maryland.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail 
         damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect 
         considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to 
         mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Wilmington, Vineland, Dover, Newark, Millville, Bridgeton,
Middletown, Georgetown, Cumberland, Glassboro, Pennsville, Smyrna,
Milford, Pitman, Carneys Point, Seaford, Elsmere, New Castle, Penns
Grove, and Salem.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside
should seek shelter inside a well-built structure and away from
windows.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7569 3972 7579 3979 7506 3972 7501
      3968 7492 3961 7488 3952 7499 3942 7486
      3933 7487 3931 7483 3918 7490 3893 7527
      3882 7507 3845 7503
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 284DEG 44KT 3957 7565 3934 7555 3894 7575 3852
7573

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Staarmann

017 
WWUS51 KPHI 162317
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
717 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

DEC003-162327-
/O.CAN.KPHI.SV.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250516T2345Z/
New Castle DE-
717 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
central and southern Delaware...and southern New Jersey.

LAT...LON 3846 7569 3902 7573 3916 7547 3937 7549
      3954 7556 3968 7492 3961 7488 3952 7499
      3942 7486 3933 7487 3931 7483 3918 7490
      3893 7527 3882 7507 3845 7503
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 300DEG 51KT 3950 7537 3917 7527 3891 7556 3858
7549

$$

DEC001-005-NJC009-011-015-033-162345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250516T2345Z/
Sussex DE-Kent DE-Cumberland NJ-Salem NJ-Gloucester NJ-Cape May NJ-
717 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX...SOUTHEASTERN KENT...CUMBERLAND...SOUTHERN SALEM...
SOUTHEASTERN GLOUCESTER AND NORTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTIES...

At 717 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Quinton to 7 miles southwest of Fortesque to
Harrington to Sycamore, moving southeast at 60 mph.

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

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, 
         siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Vineland, Dover, Millville, Bridgeton, Georgetown, Cumberland,
Milford, Seaford, Salem, Millsboro, Laurel Lake, Laurel, Harrington,
Alloway, Camden, Lewes, Quinton, Milton, Selbyville, and Bridgeville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

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

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7569 3902 7573 3916 7547 3937 7549
      3954 7556 3968 7492 3961 7488 3952 7499
      3942 7486 3933 7487 3931 7483 3918 7490
      3893 7527 3882 7507 3845 7503
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 300DEG 51KT 3950 7537 3917 7527 3891 7556 3858
7549

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Staarmann

488 
WWUS51 KPHI 162329
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
729 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

NJC009-011-015-033-162338-
/O.CAN.KPHI.SV.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250516T2345Z/
Cumberland NJ-Salem NJ-Gloucester NJ-Cape May NJ-
729 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CUMBERLAND...SOUTHERN SALEM...
SOUTHEASTERN GLOUCESTER AND NORTHWESTERN CAPE MAY COUNTIES IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened. Therefore, the 
warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
central and southern Delaware.

LAT...LON 3845 7537 3851 7566 3878 7557 3899 7561
      3911 7530 3893 7527 3882 7507 3845 7503
      3846 7505 3845 7505
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 278DEG 41KT 3894 7529 3875 7540 3850 7514 

$$

DEC001-005-162345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250516T2345Z/
Sussex DE-Kent DE-
729 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX AND SOUTHEASTERN KENT COUNTIES...

At 728 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Big Stone Beach to near Georgetown to near
Millville, moving east at 45 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to roofs, 
         siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Georgetown, Milford, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Harrington, Lewes,
Milton, Selbyville, Dagsboro, Millville, Ellendale, Bowers, Henlopen
Acres, Gumboro, Cape Henlopen State Park, Sycamore, Big Stone Beach,
Long Neck, and Ocean View.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

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

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3845 7537 3851 7566 3878 7557 3899 7561
      3911 7530 3893 7527 3882 7507 3845 7503
      3846 7505 3845 7505
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 278DEG 41KT 3894 7529 3875 7540 3850 7514 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Staarmann

439 
WWUS51 KPHI 162336
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
736 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

DEC001-005-162346-
/O.EXP.KPHI.SV.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250516T2345Z/
Sussex DE-Kent DE-
736 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SUSSEX AND SOUTHEASTERN KENT
COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 745 PM EDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with these thunderstorms.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
central and southern Delaware.

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 3845 7537 3851 7566 3878 7557 3899 7561
      3911 7530 3893 7527 3882 7507 3845 7503
      3846 7505 3845 7505
TIME...MOT...LOC 2336Z 267DEG 39KT 3894 7519 3875 7530 3850 7504 

$$

Staarmann

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 15, 9:34 PM EDT	Dense Fog Advisory	PHI	Kent, New Castle, Sussex	12 hr
May 16, 11:16 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	New Castle	59 min
May 16, 11:32 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	New Castle	4 hr
May 16, 12:20 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	New Castle	40 min
May 16, 1:52 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Sussex	38 min
May 16, 2:18 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Sussex	42 min
May 16, 2:23 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Sussex	52 min
May 16, 6:56 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Sussex	34 min
May 15, 9:30 PM EDT	Marine Dense Fog Advisory	PHI		15 hr
May 16, 11:41 AM EDT	Special Marine Warning	PHI		49 min
May 16, 11:46 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem	59 min
May 16, 12:22 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Cumberland, Salem	23 min
May 16, 12:31 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	Camden, Gloucester	4 hr
May 16, 12:42 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland	48 min
May 16, 12:45 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester	30 min
May 16, 12:47 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem	4 hr
May 16, 12:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and 1 more	56 min
May 16, 12:51 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	PHI		114 min
May 16, 12:52 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester	23 min
May 16, 1:26 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Cape May, Cumberland	49 min
May 16, 1:28 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	PHI	Burlington, Ocean	3 hr
May 16, 1:32 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	PHI		88 min
May 16, 1:36 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean	3 hr
May 16, 1:58 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Cape May	32 min
May 16, 2:01 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	PHI		86 min
May 16, 2:24 PM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	PHI	Hunterdon, Somerset	94 min
May 16, 6:31 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	PHI		119 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in New Jersey, 2025 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Delaware, 2025 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025

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.