Alert archive / Delaware / Tornado Warnings in 2025
Tornado Warning 15, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this tornado warning at May 16, 2025, 6:56 PM EDT for Sussex County, Delaware; Caroline County, Maryland. It was in force for 34 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, 6:56 PM EDT (22:56 UTC)
- Expired
- May 16, 2025, 7:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 34 min
- Issued by
- NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
Counties Sussex County, DE, Caroline County, MD
The radar
The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:59 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, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 79 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
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
782
WFUS51 KPHI 162256
TORPHI
DEC005-MDC011-162330-
/O.NEW.KPHI.TO.W.0015.250516T2256Z-250516T2330Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
656 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Sussex County in southern Delaware...
Southeastern Caroline County in eastern Maryland...
* Until 730 PM EDT.
* At 656 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located over
Sharptown, or 7 miles southeast of Hurlock, moving east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.
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...
Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Federalsburg, Milton,
Bridgeville, Delmar, Dagsboro, Gumboro, Sycamore, Blades, and
Bethel.
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.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3846 7569 3849 7570 3864 7571 3869 7577
3868 7578 3868 7580 3869 7580 3870 7582
3880 7531 3845 7524
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 266DEG 49KT 3857 7575
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Staarmann3 follow-up statements
488
WWUS51 KPHI 162304
SVSPHI
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
704 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025
MDC011-162314-
/O.CAN.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-250516T2330Z/
Caroline MD-
704 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CAROLINE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
southern Delaware...and eastern Maryland.
LAT...LON 3846 7569 3849 7570 3867 7571 3880 7531
3845 7524
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 264DEG 45KT 3858 7564
$$
DEC005-162330-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-250516T2330Z/
Sussex DE-
704 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN SUSSEX COUNTY...
At 704 PM EDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Laurel, or 12 miles east of Hurlock, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.
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...
Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Milton, Delmar, Dagsboro,
Sycamore, Gumboro, Blades, and Bethel.
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.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3846 7569 3849 7570 3867 7571 3880 7531
3845 7524
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 264DEG 45KT 3858 7564
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Staarmann446
WWUS51 KPHI 162312
SVSPHI
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
712 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025
DEC005-162330-
/O.CON.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-250516T2330Z/
Sussex DE-
712 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN SUSSEX COUNTY...
At 711 PM EDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Sycamore, or 9 miles southwest of Georgetown, moving east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Milton, Dagsboro, Sycamore,
Blades, and Bethel.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3852 7565 3867 7567 3880 7531 3850 7525
TIME...MOT...LOC 2311Z 266DEG 49KT 3859 7550
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
Staarmann947 WWUS51 KPHI 162325 SVSPHI Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 725 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025 DEC005-162334- /O.EXP.KPHI.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-250516T2330Z/ Sussex DE- 725 PM EDT Fri May 16 2025 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN SUSSEX COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 730 PM EDT... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for 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. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for Sussex County until 745 PM EDT. LAT...LON 3852 7565 3867 7567 3880 7531 3850 7525 TIME...MOT...LOC 2324Z 266DEG 49KT 3860 7531 $$ 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, 6:35 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PHI | Kent, New Castle, Sussex | 70 min |
| May 16, 5:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PHI | Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot | 50 min |
| May 16, 6:04 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PHI | Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot | 56 min |
| May 16, 6:11 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PHI | Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot | 64 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Delaware, 2025Tornado Warnings in Maryland, 2025Every tornado warning in 2025Tornadoes 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.