Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 40, NWS State College, PA

July 28, 2026McKean County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 28, 2026, 9:54 AM EDT for McKean County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 2 hr. 3 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
Jul 28, 2026, 9:54 AM EDT (13:54 UTC)
Expired
Jul 28, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County McKean County, PA

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 113 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:59 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 28, 9:56 AM EDTFLASH FLOODLewis Run, PAIndustrial flooding reported in Lewis Run borough.
Jul 28, 10:28 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD2 Wsw Bradford, PAFlooded basement reported on West End Drive in Bradford Township.
Jul 28, 10:33 AM EDTFLASH FLOODLewis Run, PAContinued flooding of roadways and pumping of water from several structures in Lewis Run.

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 3 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

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 110 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, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 592 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, Buffalo Intl Airport, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 109 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
592 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-34 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
654 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
109 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
175 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

047 
WGUS51 KCTP 281354
FFWCTP
PAC083-281600-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0040.260728T1354Z-260728T1600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
954 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  North Central McKean County in north central Pennsylvania...

* Until noon EDT.

* At 954 AM EDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms
  producing heavy rain in Bradford and Lewis Run. Between 2 and 4
  inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2
  inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already
  occurring.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
           flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Bradford, Lewis Run and University Of Pittsburgh - Bradford.

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.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4200 7851 4184 7859 4185 7874 4200 7877

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

Bauco

What 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 28, 5:05 AM EDT, 4 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and heavy rainfall remain possible today into this evening.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 5:05 AM EDT, 4 hours 49 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
505 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Flood Watch issued through late tonight across the southeast
zones for potential flash flooding.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds and heavy
rainfall remain possible today into this evening.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds
and heavy rainfall remain possible today into this evening.

The second of two shortwaves embedded in the NW flow of a
deepening SE Canada and Ern U.S. trough (will be located across
the Upper Glakes at 12Z) and will move quickly SE and bring at
least another 1-2 rounds of MDT-HVY SHRA/TSRA across the CWA
today into this evening with localized additional rainfall
amounts of over 2 inches given the rich moisture with PWATS of
1.5-1.7 inches across all of the CWA.

The target for the greatest number of SHRA/TSRA is over our SE
CWA where a FLash Flood Watch was posted and extends through 2
AM EDT WED.

Models close off the mid and upper low over SE Ont and New York
State late tonight/Wed.

Some heavy rain potential will linger into Wednesday as the
slow moving upper low dips over northeast PA/SE NY before
drifting East toward southern New England Wed night. 36-48 hour
storm total rainfall could exceed 3 inches over some parts of
the northeast CWA by Thursday morning.

&&

.AVIATION /08Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Complex set of TAFs for today, with spotty SHRA/TSRA increasing
in coverage across portions of central PA during the predawn,
followed by more numerous SHRA/TSRA alongside lowering cloud
ceilings as a trough of low pressure moves across the region
during the morning & afternoon. VFR is favored outside of any
SHRA/TSRA during the predawn hours. Gradual improvements behind
the low pressure expected after 18-21z, although low clouds
could redevelop across the Laurels and northern mountains later
tonight.

A more defined cluster of showers and storms associated with
the trough will move west to east across our area between the
early morning and late afternoon, resulting in prevailing MVFR-
IFR ceiling restrictions with periodic MVFR-IFR visibility
restrictions. Heating may be sufficient for strong to severe
thunderstorms across eastern Pennsylvania (best chance at
KMDT/KLNS), with gusty/damaging winds being the primary threat.

Outlook...

Wed...Restrictions likely with IFR to MVFR stratocu and
SHRA/TSRA beneath upper low

Thu...Improving conditions with lingering -SHRA. Patchy AM fog.

Fri...Mainly VFR.

Sat...Patchy AM fog. Restrictions possible in isolated
showers/storms mainly in the south.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through late tonight for PAZ057>059-063>066.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Lambert/Colbert
KEY MESSAGES...Lambert
DISCUSSION...Lambert
AVIATION...Colbert/Teare
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 3:58 AM EDT, 5 hours 56 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
358 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-024>028-033>037-041-042-045-046-049>053-
056-290800-
Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-
Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-
Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-
Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-
Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-
358 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of damaging wind
gusts and localized heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches per hour are
possible today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ057>059-063>066-290800-
Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster-
358 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today 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.

In addition, scattered severe thunderstorms capable of damaging
wind gusts and localized flooding downpours are possible today, with
the bulk of the severe threat and heavy rain occurring near and to
the southeast of the Interstate 81 corridor.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

Lambert

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 28, 7:35 AM EDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
735 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0345 AM     Flash Flood      Eldred                  41.96N 78.39W
07/28/2026                   McKean             PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Corrects previous flash flood report from
            Eldred. Flooding on Main Street between Oak
            Hill Cemetery Rd and Elm St. A basement was
            flooded in the area.

&&

MRC
Local storm report, Jul 28, 7:42 AM EDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
742 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0300 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 WSW York Springs      39.99N 77.15W
07/28/2026                   Adams              PA   Public

            Tree down across the roadway at the
            intersection of Cranberry Road and White Oak
            Tree Road.

&&

JCB
Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:24 AM EDT, 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
924 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0920 AM     Flash Flood      1 N Lewis Run           41.89N 78.66W
07/28/2026                   McKean             PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Flooding on South Avenue (Rt. 219) near
            Browntown Road in Bradford Township.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:30 AM EDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
930 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0926 AM     Flash Flood      3 NNE Lewis Run         41.91N 78.65W
07/28/2026                   McKean             PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Susquehanna Road near Custer City is
            impassable due to flooding.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:34 AM EDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
934 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0932 AM     Flash Flood      Lewis Run               41.87N 78.66W
07/28/2026                   McKean             PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Multiple flooded basements and flooded
            roadways reported in the vicinity of Lewis
            Run.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 28, 9:53 AM EDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
953 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0943 AM     Flash Flood      4 SW Bradford           41.92N 78.70W
07/28/2026                   McKean             PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Flooding reported in the vicinity of
            Crookerhouse Lane in Bradford Township.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 27, 10:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPWarren32 min
Jul 27, 11:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPMcKean, Potter61 min
Jul 28, 12:05 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPJuniata, Perry55 min
Jul 28, 12:43 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPAdams47 min
Jul 28, 1:05 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPMcKean55 min
Jul 28, 1:25 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPAdams65 min
Jul 28, 1:41 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPMcKean79 min
Jul 28, 1:54 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPMcKean3 hr
Jul 28, 2:00 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Franklin45 min
Jul 28, 2:20 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, Franklin3 hr
Jul 28, 2:34 AM EDTFlood WatchCTPAdams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon and 7 more18 hr
Jul 28, 3:14 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCentre61 min
Jul 28, 3:22 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPColumbia, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union53 min
Jul 28, 8:37 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPMcKean3 hr
Jul 28, 11:21 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPMcKean, Potter, Warren114 min
Jul 28, 12:22 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPBlair, Cambria, Clearfield3 hr
Jul 28, 12:46 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPBlair, Huntingdon3 hr
Jul 28, 12:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPHuntingdon31 min
Jul 28, 1:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPHuntingdon, Mifflin33 min
Jul 28, 1:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPHuntingdon, Juniata31 min
Jul 28, 2:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCumberland33 min
Jul 28, 3:02 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPBlair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield118 min
Jul 28, 3:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCumberland, Perry, York63 min
Jul 28, 3:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, York53 min
Jul 28, 3:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Franklin, York47 min
Jul 28, 3:37 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPBlair, Centre, Huntingdon83 min
Jul 28, 4:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, York66 min
Jul 28, 4:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Franklin30 min
Jul 28, 4:23 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPAdams, Franklin3 hr
Jul 28, 4:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Lancaster, York61 min
Jul 28, 5:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPDauphin, Lebanon2 hr
Jul 28, 5:20 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPCambria, Clearfield3 hr
Jul 28, 5:39 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPLancaster, Lebanon3 hr

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.