Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 72, NWS State College, PA

August 27, 2026Franklin County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 27, 2026, 6:41 PM EDT for Franklin 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
Aug 27, 2026, 6:41 PM EDT (22:41 UTC)
Expired
Aug 27, 2026, 9:45 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Franklin County, PA

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:44 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
Aug 27, 6:44 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD4 Nne Mercersburg, PAFlooded roadways.

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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 3 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, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 115 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 728 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, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 145 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
728 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-107 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
980 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
145 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
2.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

579 
WGUS51 KCTP 272241
FFWCTP
PAC055-280145-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0072.260827T2241Z-260828T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
641 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southwestern Franklin County in south central Pennsylvania...

* Until 945 PM EDT.

* At 641 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 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 indicated.

  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...
  St. Thomas, Mercersburg, Fort Loudon and Williamson.

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 3996 7792 3994 7776 3986 7777 3982 7781
      3982 7793 3989 7797 3992 7795 3992 7796
      3993 7795 3994 7795 3995 7794

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Dangelo
1 follow-up statement
766 
WGUS71 KCTP 280142
FFSCTP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
942 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

PAC055-280152-
/O.EXP.KCTP.FF.W.0072.000000T0000Z-260828T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Franklin PA-
942 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 945 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY...

Flood waters are receding. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3996 7792 3994 7776 3986 7777 3982 7781
      3982 7793 3989 7797 3992 7795 3992 7796
      3993 7795 3994 7795 3995 7794

$$

Dangelo

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 27, 2:55 PM EDT, 3 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon into tonight 2) Flooding downpours possible this afternoon into tonight in the Lower Susquehanna Valley 3) Variable sky conditions for the lunar eclipse tonight
Area forecast discussion, Aug 27, 2:55 PM EDT, 3 hours 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
255 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Thunderstorms have begun to develop in two areas of focus, ahead
of the cold front in NW PA and along a stationary sfc trough in
the southeast.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon into
tonight

2) Flooding downpours possible this afternoon into tonight in
the Lower Susquehanna Valley

3) Variable sky conditions for the lunar eclipse tonight

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms
possible this afternoon into tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue to develop this
afternoon ahead of a cold front across CPA and within a sfc
pressure trough in the southeast. SPC has continued the level
2/5 (SLGT) severe t-storm risk which extends from the eastern
slopes of the Allegheny Mtns eastward.

MLCAPE of 1500 J/kg and 0-6 km shear near 30 kts in the north
suggests a few low end supercells may develop. Weaker shear and
stronger CAPE in the SE suggests more pulse cells to start, but
storm motion from SW to NE is well aligned with the sfc pressure
trough so upscale growth into one or more slow moving / training
lines is likely as we head into this evening. The strongest
cells and clusters will be capable of producing scattered
damaging winds and at least isolated hail. Modestly curved low-
level hodographs may also support some brief tornado potential.
The severe threat should persist into the evening before storms
weaken/exit the eastern part of the CWA.

-------------------------------------------------------------

KEY MESSAGE 2: Flooding downpours possible this afternoon into
tonight across portions of the Lower Susquehanna Valley

A healthy influx of moisture via southwest flow will increase
PWATs to 1.50-1.75" across the Lower Susquehanna Valley by this
afternoon. CAMs suggest the heaviest 2-4+ inch rain amounts
will remain east of the CWA, but still suggest local bullseyes
of 1-2" in our southeastern zones along the weak pre
frontal/lee sfc trough. A couple rounds of heavy t-storm
downpours are possible with rain rates 1-2"/hr that could result
in scattered areas of flash flooding. Based on the +RA signal
in the hires ensembles and coordination with WFO PHI, a flash
flood watch continues for Schuylkill, Lebanon, and Lancaster
Counties.

A drying trend is forecast Friday into the last weekend of
August, thanks to high pressure building into the area behind
the cold front. This will likely setup a couple of foggy
mornings (Friday and Saturday). Rainfall looks fairly limited
heading into the first week of September; however despite the
start of meteorological Fall the summer is not over with temps
expected to rise above the historical average into the 80-90
degree range.

-------------------------------------------------------------

KEY MESSAGE 3: Variable sky conditions for the lunar eclipse
tonight.

Forecast viewing conditions for the lunar eclipse range from
fair to poor tonight across central PA. The eclipse will begin
at 10:34 pm EDT and last for about 3 hours, ending at 1:52 am
EDT Friday. The worst view is most likely over the eastern half
of CPA due to exiting storms and associated cloud cover. Clouds
and low fog are also poised to develop in the NW during the
latter half of the eclipse. The eclipse will take place during
August's full moon, commonly referred to as the Sturgeon Moon.
It will also be the last full moon of the summer with the next
full moon set to rise a few nights after the autumnal (Fall)
equinox on September 22nd.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Kept all sites with thunder Probs this afternoon, confidence is
highest at MDT and LNS with higher storm coverage expected in
eastern PA. Brief drops to IFR visibilities in these downpours
along with gusty winds, possibly in excess of 40kts, may
accompany these storms. Outside of storms, generally VFR conds
for the remainder of the afternoon.

With high pressure building in the wake of the storms this
afternoon, tonight into Friday morning looks to see fog and low
ceilings building in, possibly into the LIFR category across the
north and west. Region- wide restrictions into Friday morning
are possible, trending towards VFR again late Fri afternoon
through the remainder of the TAF period.

Outlook...

Sat...AM Fog; otherwise VFR.

Sun-Mon...Mainly VFR.

Tue...Chc afternoon SHRA/TSRA.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Friday for PAZ058-059-066.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl/Colbert
KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl/Colbert
DISCUSSION...Steinbugl/Colbert
AVIATION...Colbert/Lambrech
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 27, 3:53 PM EDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
353 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

PAZ005-010-011-017-024-033-280800-
McKean-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset-
353 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this
afternoon and early this evening. Localized damaging wind gusts
and hail may accompany these storms.

.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.

PAZ012-018-019-026>028-035-036-041-042-045-046-049>053-056-057-
063>065-280800-
Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Huntingdon-Mifflin-
Juniata-Fulton-Franklin-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-
Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-
Dauphin-Cumberland-Adams-York-
353 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 632 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

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.

   Severe Thunderstorm 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.

PAZ006-025-034-037-280800-
Potter-Blair-Bedford-Tioga-
353 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this
afternoon and evening. Localized damaging wind gusts and hail
may accompany these storms.

.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.

PAZ004-280800-
Warren-
353 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 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.

PAZ058-059-066-280800-
Schuylkill-Lebanon-Lancaster-
353 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT FRIDAY...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 632 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

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.
   Severe Thunderstorm 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.

Martin

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 27, 6:29 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
629 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

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

0627 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NNW Fannettsburg      40.06N 77.84W
08/27/2026                   Franklin           PA   911 Call Center

            Telephone pole brought down on a vehicle, no
            injuries.

&&

ANK
Local storm report, Aug 27, 6:30 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service State College PA
630 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

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

0612 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NNW Fannettsburg      40.06N 77.84W
08/27/2026                   Franklin           PA   911 Call Center

            Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1
            NNW Fannettsburg. Telephone pole brought
            down on a vehicle, no injuries.

&&

ANK
Special weather statement, Aug 27, 6:32 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
632 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

PAZ028-050-052-272315-
Northumberland PA-Juniata PA-Snyder PA-
632 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL NORTHUMBERLAND...
NORTHEASTERN JUNIATA AND CENTRAL SNYDER COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM
EDT...

At 632 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17
miles southwest of Selinsgrove, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Selinsgrove, Hummels Wharf, Middleburg, Kreamer, Port Trevorton,
Penns Creek, Richfield, Mount Pleasant Mills, Paxtonville,
Meiserville, Fremont, Beavertown, New Berlin, Freeburg, and
Selinsgrove Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 4060 7709 4059 7714 4065 7726 4087 7705
      4086 7702 4087 7700 4088 7697 4079 7676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 229DEG 21KT 4067 7715

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Teare
Local storm report, Aug 27, 6:39 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
639 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

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

0638 PM     Flash Flood      1 SSE Muncy Valley      41.33N 76.59W
08/27/2026                   Sullivan           PA   911 Call Center

            Water rescue.

&&

ANK
Local storm report, Aug 27, 6:40 PM EDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
640 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

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

0634 PM     Flash Flood      Hughesville             41.24N 76.73W
08/27/2026                   Lycoming           PA   Public

            Road flooding and closed roads.

&&

ANK
Local storm report, Aug 27, 6:41 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
641 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

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

0631 PM     Flash Flood      2 SSE Muncy Valley      41.33N 76.59W
08/27/2026                   Sullivan           PA   Trained Spotter

            Severe road flooding.

&&

ANK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 27, 2:55 AM EDTFlood WatchCTPLancaster, Lebanon, Schuylkill22 hr
Aug 27, 1:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCumberland38 min
Aug 27, 2:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton27 min
Aug 27, 2:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton44 min
Aug 27, 3:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLycoming39 min
Aug 27, 3:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPElk26 min
Aug 27, 4:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLancaster36 min
Aug 27, 4:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster56 min
Aug 27, 4:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSullivan51 min
Aug 27, 4:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan47 min
Aug 27, 5:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLycoming28 min
Aug 27, 5:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPDauphin42 min
Aug 27, 5:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPBerks15 min
Aug 27, 5:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSullivan34 min
Aug 27, 5:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton28 min
Aug 27, 5:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSullivan33 min
Aug 27, 5:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLycoming42 min
Aug 27, 5:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCumberland, Franklin, Fulton49 min
Aug 27, 6:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton34 min
Aug 27, 6:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLebanon47 min
Aug 27, 6:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSullivan43 min
Aug 27, 6:23 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan4 hr
Aug 27, 6:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSnyder43 min
Aug 27, 6:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan40 min
Aug 27, 6:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLebanon40 min
Aug 27, 6:52 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPLancaster, Lebanon3 hr
Aug 27, 6:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCumberland, Perry51 min
Aug 27, 6:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPJuniata, Mifflin, Snyder21 min
Aug 27, 7:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCumberland, Dauphin, Perry50 min
Aug 27, 7:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Sullivan46 min
Aug 27, 7:22 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Sullivan3 hr
Aug 27, 7:22 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPHuntingdon23 min
Aug 27, 7:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster, Lebanon38 min
Aug 27, 7:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPDauphin, Juniata, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder28 min
Aug 27, 7:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster41 min
Aug 27, 7:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPFranklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry38 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.