Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 24, NWS State College, PA
NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 9, 2026, 2:49 PM EDT for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report 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
- Jul 9, 2026, 2:49 PM EDT (18:49 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 9, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS State College, PA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Lancaster County, PA
The radar
The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 138 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:53 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 3:06 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 E Lancaster, PA | Water rescue reported near Greenfield Road and Commerce Park East Road in East Lampeter Township. |
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 flash flood warning; the first came 2 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
Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 6.8 hours before the alert went out and 171 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
- 1170 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -24 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 543 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 23 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 39 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 49 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.8
The text
As transmitted.
898
WGUS51 KCTP 091849
FFWCTP
PAC071-092130-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0024.260709T1849Z-260709T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
249 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Lancaster County in south central Pennsylvania...
* Until 530 PM EDT.
* At 249 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 1.5 inches of rain have
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Lancaster, Millersville, Willow Street, New Holland, Leola,
Paradise, Churchtown, Bareville, Lampeter, Intercourse, Blue Ball,
Gordonville, Goodville, Bird-In-Hand, Smoketown, White Horse,
Dutch Wonderland, Franklin And Marshall College and Millersville
University.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
&&
LAT...LON 4004 7594 4001 7596 3998 7644 4001 7647
4015 7590 4014 7588 4011 7594 4009 7594
4005 7594 4004 7593
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
EvanegoWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood 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 flash flood warning went out at Jul 9, 12:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Locally significant flash flooding possible across portions of south central PA this afternoon and evening 2) Unsettled weather continues into the first half of the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 12:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 1253 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... *Flood Watch expanded across the southern tier of central PA && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Locally significant flash flooding possible across portions of south central PA this afternoon and evening 2) Unsettled weather continues into the first half of the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1: Locally significant flash flooding possible across portions of south central PA this afternoon and evening Showers and thunderstorms are increasing in coverage this afternoon across southern PA. Rainfall rates of 2-3"/hr are likely at times, leading to 2-4" of rain with locally higher amounts possible. Synoptic ascent associated with shortwave lifting E/NE out of KY is working in tandem with RRQ of a modest jet streak aloft robust thermodynamics reflected by PWs measured via the 12Z soundings that are near previous daily records (2.17" at IAD) and a ribbon of MLCAPE already reaching 1000+ J/kg (2000 J/kg within clearing sky conditions). MRMS hourly rainfall have been above 1 inch in some areas, indicative of the impressive heavy rain environment in place. Earlier this morning, rainfall rates of ~1.5"/hr where achieved via ground truth report from broadcast media partner - so rates >2" should be easily attainable given the time of day and copious amount of moisture available. WPC excessive rainfall outlook continues to favor a "high-end" level 2/4 flash flood risk over the southern tier of central PA where locally significant/urban flash flooding is possible. KEY MESSAGE 2: Unsettled weather continues into the first half of the weekend. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected on Friday ahead of a cold front that will slowly cross the region into Saturday. Isolated flash flooding will be the primary concern as the environment will still be supportive of very heavy rainfall. A few showers remain possible on Saturday across the southern half of the area as the cold front will be very slow to move to our south. Sunday looks like a much drier day as the front finally moves off to the south and a strong ridge develops over the middle of the country. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... VFR flying across south central PA may be interrupted and restricted by showers and thunderstorms through 00Z Fri. Storms will be capable of torrential rainfall likely resulting in IFR/LIFR visibility. Gusty winds are also possible. In the wake of this storms, partial clearing along with residual low level moisture from recent rainfall and light/variable wind may lead to areas of fog and low stratus developing late tonight into early Friday morning. Expect sub-VFR restrictions to improve to VFR by Friday afternoon with more scattered showers and storms possible. Outlook... Sat...Reduced chance and more limited coverage of PM showers/t-storm. Sun-Tue...Mainly VFR/no sig wx. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for PAZ033>036-056-057- 059-063>066. && WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl DISCUSSION...Steinbugl AVIATION...Steinbugl
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 9, 12:28 PM EDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 1228 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026 PAZ004>006-010>012-037-041-042-045-046-101630- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Tioga- Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming- 1228 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026 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...Friday through Wednesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ017>019-024>028-049>053-058-101630- Clearfield-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon- Mifflin-Juniata-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia- Schuylkill- 1228 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered areas of flash flooding are possible this afternoon into the evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ033>036-056-057-059-063>066-101630- Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland- Adams-York-Lancaster- 1228 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 9, 2:30 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
230 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026
PAZ066-091915-
Lancaster PA-
230 PM EDT Thu Jul 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL LANCASTER COUNTY
THROUGH 315 PM EDT...
At 230 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lancaster, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lancaster, Lititz, Millersville, Willow Street, New Holland, East
Petersburg, Akron, Leola, Paradise, Rothsville, Strasburg, Gap,
Churchtown, Leacock, Bareville, Lampeter, Atglen, Intercourse,
Christiana, and Blue Ball.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4013 7589 4010 7594 4008 7593 4004 7594
3996 7599 3993 7598 3993 7600 3988 7599
3999 7639 4016 7634 4014 7589
TIME...MOT...LOC 1830Z 280DEG 16KT 4006 7628
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SteinbuglThe office that day
Everything else NWS State College, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 2:10 AM EDT | Flood Watch | CTP | Adams, Bedford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton and 5 more | 18 hr |
| Jul 9, 4:00 AM EDT | Dense Fog Advisory | CTP | Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, McKean and 2 more | 5 hr |
| Jul 9, 2:06 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Adams, Lancaster, York | 2 hr |
| Jul 9, 2:30 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Lancaster | 45 min |
| Jul 9, 3:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Schuylkill | 30 min |
| Jul 9, 3:27 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Fulton | 33 min |
| Jul 9, 3:29 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, York | 3 hr |
| Jul 9, 4:31 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Adams | 29 min |
| Jul 9, 4:54 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Adams | 36 min |
| Jul 9, 5:59 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CTP | Elk | 31 min |
| Jul 9, 6:17 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CTP | Lancaster, York | 101 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
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.