Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 49, NWS State College, PA

August 2, 2026Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 2, 2026, 7:29 PM EDT for Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 2, 2026, 7:29 PM EDT (23:29 UTC)
Expired
Aug 2, 2026, 10:30 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Lycoming County, PA

The radar

The State College radar (KCCX), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:30 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 249 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 2026-08-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 329 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 2026-08-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 168 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
329 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-58 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
910 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
168 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
159 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

898 
WGUS51 KCTP 022329
FFWCTP
PAC081-030230-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0049.260802T2329Z-260803T0230Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
729 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Lycoming County in north central Pennsylvania...

* Until 1030 PM EDT.

* At 729 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
  1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up
  to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  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...
  Muncy, Hughesville, Montgomery, Lairdsville, Biggertown and Picture
  Rocks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 4139 7673 4138 7671 4133 7664 4131 7660
      4130 7659 4127 7645 4116 7659 4116 7668
      4117 7671 4117 7675 4118 7679 4116 7687
      4129 7685

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

Bowen

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 Aug 2, 2:24 PM EDT, 5 hours 5 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Potential for heavy rain/localized flooding and isolated strong to severe storms this afternoon into tonight
Area forecast discussion, Aug 2, 2:24 PM EDT, 5 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
224 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
* No significant changes. Continuing to monitor flash flooding
  and severe storm potential through the evening.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Potential for heavy rain/localized flooding and isolated
strong to severe storms this afternoon into tonight

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Potential for heavy rain/localized flooding this
afternoon into tonight

12hr rainfall through noon EDT was generally 0.50-1.50 falling to
the west of US-15. This has lead to some pre-saturation which
could play a factor if additional heavy rain develops over these
areas.

Extensive cloud cover and time of day contributed to higher
stability and effectively capped max rainfall rates below 1"/hr.
The environment has been undergoing some modest destablization
into the afternoon with thermodynamic mesoanalysis depicting
SB/MLCAPE values on the rise with plenty of moisture available
(1.5-2.2" PWAT). The destabilizing boundary layer interacting
with a positively titled shortwave trough extending from Lower
MI southwestward into the Mid-South will result in expanding
coverage of heavy showers/t-storms with more intense rain rates
which should lead to increasing flash flood potential through
the rest of the afternoon into the evening hours. Breaks in the
clouds particularly entering the western part of the CWA could
also spell an uptick in t-storm intensity and potential for
isolated strong to severe storms. WPC and SPC made very little
to no changes to the 16/1630Z updates to the ERO and SWO for
the rest of today. Cluster of storms with heavy rain working
northward from DC/northern MD into the Lower Susquehanna Valley
also is worth watching for more of an urban flash flood threat
(given less compromised FFG) and low-topped spins. Expect heavy
showers and storms to slowly progress eastward through tonight
and can't rule out some localized runoff issues outside the
watch area farther to the east through the Susquehanna Valley.

For now, the best heavy rain/severe wx signal is to the south
and east of CPA tomorrow/Monday. Heading into the work week,
latest model QPF data now favors a possible break in the rain
through early week before daily shower/t-storm chances return
Wed-Fri. Some localized heavy rain and marginal flooding risk
will continue into late week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 18Z, showers are continuing to traverse central PA
providing restrictions, particularly in embedded heavy
downpours that restrict visibility. Over the next few hours,
this round of precipitation will exit most TAF sites. This
indicates a respite in IFR conditions in between rounds of
precipitation where a few hours of MVFR restrictions may be
favored in the afternoon. BFD remains most likely to prevail
IFR, but some lifting to MVFR remains possible there too in
this window.

Cloud breaks are being noted south of the Mason-Dixon Line and
in eastern Ohio, which is allowing for some convective storm
development in those areas. Have placed TEMPO groups in where
the most confident timing is for potential thunderstorms at BFD,
JST, AOO, and UNV. Confidence in exact timing remains lower at
MDT and LNS so opted for PROB30s for thunderstorm mentions,
although amendments may be necessary as real time development is
observed. Gusty winds may accompany the strongest cores of
precipitation that develop region wide, as well as visibility
restrictions due to heavy rain.

Precipitation should mostly clear by 06Z but restrictions down
to IFR are likely to follow region-wide. Latest guidance
indicates LIFR appears most likely at BFD, JST, UNV, and IPT.
These IFR conditions are likely to linger to daybreak at most
TAF sites before MVFR becomes the favored regime later tomorrow
morning.

Outlook...

Mon-Thu...Unsettled through midweek with daily chances for
showers and isolated t-storms. Low VFR to MVFR conditions
prevailing most of the time.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Here are a few key climate callouts to wrap up July 2026:

2nd wettest at Bradford (7.78"/+3.62" above normal)

6th wettest at Altoona (6.18"/+2.70" above normal)

10th wettest at State College (6.09"/+2.30" above normal)

6th most # of days with maxT >=100F at Harrisburg (3)
T3rd most # of days with maxT >=100F at Williamsport (2)

In August, the daylength decreases by 2-2.5 min/day with a
total loss of ~ 70 minutes by the end of the month.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through late tonight for PAZ004>006-010>012-017-
018-024-025-033-034.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl/Banghoff
KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl/Banghoff
DISCUSSION...Steinbugl/Banghoff
AVIATION...Lambrech
CLIMATE...Steinbugl
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 2, 4:01 PM EDT, 3 hours 28 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
401 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-024-025-033-034-041-042-045-046-049-
032015-
Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-
Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Somerset-Bedford-
Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-
401 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT MONDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...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...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ026>028-035>037-050>053-056>059-063>066-032015-
Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Snyder-Montour-
Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-
Adams-York-Lancaster-
401 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Isolated swaths of heavy rain may result in localized flash flooding
tonight.

Isolated strong thunderstorms capable of locally damaging wind gusts
are possible this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Colbert

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 2, 4:42 PM EDT, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
442 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

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

0439 PM     Flash Flood      2 N Garden View         41.28N 77.05W
08/02/2026                   Lycoming           PA   911 Call Center

            Several inches of water across road at 2900
            Lycoming Creek Rd.

&&

MRC
Local storm report, Aug 2, 5:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
555 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

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

0540 PM     Flash Flood      3 NE Williamsport       41.27N 76.98W
08/02/2026                   Lycoming           PA   911 Call Center

            Multiple reports of flooded roadways across
            Williamsport.

&&

JAB
Local storm report, Aug 2, 5:57 PM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
557 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

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

0511 PM     Flash Flood      2 SE Cogan Station      41.29N 77.00W
08/02/2026                   Lycoming           PA   911 Call Center

            Water rescue reported due to car trapped on
            flooded roadway.

&&

JAB
Local storm report, Aug 2, 7:01 PM EDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
701 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

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

0658 PM     Flash Flood      Hartleton               40.90N 77.15W
08/02/2026                   Union              PA   911 Call Center

            Reports of a flooded basement and multiple
            closed roads due to flooding.

&&

JAB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 2, 2:17 AM EDTFlood WatchCTPBedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield and 9 more24 hr
Aug 2, 4:18 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPLycoming5 hr
Aug 2, 5:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPSullivan6 hr
Aug 2, 5:33 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPUnion3 hr
Aug 2, 7:23 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPWarren37 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.