Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 87, NWS State College, PA

September 3, 2026Dauphin County, Lebanon County, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this flash flood warning at Sep 3, 2026, 12:03 AM EDT for Dauphin County, Lebanon County, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 4 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
Sep 3, 2026, 12:03 AM EDT (04:03 UTC)
Expired
Sep 3, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Dauphin County, PA, Lebanon County, PA, Schuylkill County, PA

The radar

The State College radar (KCCX), 126 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:07 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

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 4.1 hours before the alert went out and 191 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 00:00Z on 2026-09-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 316 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 00:00Z on 2026-09-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 22 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
316 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-263 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1068 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
22 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

544 
WGUS51 KCTP 030403
FFWCTP
PAC043-075-107-030800-
/O.NEW.KCTP.FF.W.0087.260903T0403Z-260903T0800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
1203 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Schuylkill County in central Pennsylvania...
  Dauphin County in south central Pennsylvania...
  Northwestern Lebanon County in south central Pennsylvania...

* Until 400 AM EDT.

* At 1203 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain
  have fallen. 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...
  Pottsville, Linglestown, Schuylkill Haven, Minersville, St. Clair,
  Paxtonia, Skyline View, Orwigsburg, Valley View, Millersburg, Pine
  Grove, Port Carbon, Lykens, Tremont, Duncannon, Elizabethville and
  Williamstown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 4078 7637 4076 7612 4067 7592 4064 7599
      4057 7602 4058 7604 4050 7644 4045 7637
      4037 7645 4031 7687 4036 7694 4036 7701
      4039 7703 4043 7702 4047 7695 4056 7699
      4062 7694 4060 7692 4061 7692 4066 7670

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Colbert

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 Sep 2, 8:27 PM EDT, 3 hours 36 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Late summer surge of heat and humidity continues severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat through Thursday
Area forecast discussion, Sep 2, 8:27 PM EDT, 3 hours 36 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
827 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
* No significant changes, severe weather risk continues this
  evening

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Late summer surge of heat and humidity continues severe
thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat through Thursday

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Late summer surge of heat and humidity continues
severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat through
Thursday

A series of mid level impulses tracking eastward along the
northern periphery of an expansive 500mb ridge will continue to
interact with anomalous moisture/instability and strong WNW flow
aloft to promote severe storm and excessive rain risk through
Thursday.

After a round of severe storms this morning, robust
destabilization is occurring across western and central PA with
plenty of heating and very rich dewpoints in the 70-75F range.
More thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through the
evening in an convective environment highly supportive of
organized storms capable of all severe weather hazards. There is
also the potential for heavy rain and flash flooding especially
were storms repeat over the same area.

Increased southwest to westerly flow on Thursday will push the
will continue to pump in the late summer heat and very high
dewpoints. Heat advisory remains in effect from 11a-8p Thursday
across a portion of south central PA where max heat index values
are projected to reach/exceed 100F.

The severe risk will be focused more across the southwest
quadrant of central PA Thursday, and south of the PA-MD border
on Friday. An upper trough passage favors one final round of
showers and storms on Friday, but fortunately the Labor Day
weekend is trending dry. The upper ridge is forecast to
retrograde by the end of the week which allows for a return to
more seasonal temperatures and lower humidity this weekend into
early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...

With scattered storms taking shape over Central PA, have
included mentions of thunderstorms over northern and western
terminals this evening. Exact timing of when exactly any of
this scattered activity could impact a site remains uncertain,
but any impacts to terminals could see lightning and IFR
visibility drops in heavy rain.

Another round of forcing has kicked up storms in New York which
is dropping southward. Most guidances continues this line
southward into our area overnight with further development along
its western flanks. Have included PROB30s for most confident
timing of activity overnight, IFR restrictions in heavy
downpours are possible.

Fog remains possible but guidance has backed off prevailing fog
conditions at JST and AOO so adjusted visibilities there.
Visibility restrictions remain possible though in any
thunderstorms that cross paths with the terminals. Prevailing
IFR ceilings look most likely in the eastern terminals starting
around tomorrow. Morning thunderstorm activity may lead to these
restrictions persisting at MDT and LNS later into the morning.
Afternoon thunderstorm activity looks most likely at JST and AOO
tomorrow but seeing how these storms tonight unfold may change
timing/other sites that may see impacts.

Outlook...

Thu...Scattered-Numerous SHRA/TSRA with brief restrictions
possible; morning fog.

Fri...Scattered SHRA/TSRA SW. VFR elsewhere after morning fog.

Sat-Mon...VFR favored; morning fog possible.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Thursday for PAZ026>028-
035-036-056-057-059-063>066.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl
KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl
DISCUSSION...Steinbugl
AVIATION...Lambrech
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 2, 10:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
1047 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

PAZ026>028-035-036-056-057-059-063>066-040300-
Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Fulton-Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-
Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster-
1047 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy
rainfall are possible later this evening and tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to
weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more
information about the following hazards.

   Heat Advisory.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy
rainfall are possible again on Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-037-041-042-045-046-040300-
Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-
Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-
Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-
1047 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 646 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
TONIGHT...

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.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy
rainfall are possible later this afternoon through tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy
rainfall are possible again on Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ024-025-033-034-049>053-058-040300-
Cambria-Blair-Somerset-Bedford-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-
Columbia-Schuylkill-
1047 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy
rainfall are possible later this afternoon through tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy
rainfall are possible again on Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 2, 10:58 PM EDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
1058 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

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

1055 PM     Flood            1 NE Penns Creek        40.87N 77.05W
09/02/2026                   Union              PA   Public

            Flooded basement beside Penns Creek on 2400
            block of Wildwood Rd.

&&

MRC
Local storm report, Sep 2, 10:59 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
1059 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

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

0946 PM     Flash Flood      2 NNW Loganton          41.06N 77.31W
09/02/2026                   Clinton            PA   Public

            Tree down near by the intersection of
            Rosecrans Lane and Long Run Road.

&&

JBL
Local storm report, Sep 2, 11:03 PM EDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
1103 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

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

1100 PM     Flash Flood      Mifflinburg             40.92N 77.04W
09/02/2026                   Union              PA   911 Call Center

            Water rescue at intersection of Forest Hill
            Rd and Chestnut St.

&&

MRC
Local storm report, Sep 2, 11:04 PM EDT, 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
1104 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

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

0950 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NNE Loganton          41.05N 77.29W
09/02/2026                   Clinton            PA   911 Call Center

            Tree down in Greene Township by I-80
            Westbound.

&&

JBL
Local storm report, Sep 2, 11:06 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
1106 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

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

0946 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NNW Loganton          41.06N 77.31W
09/02/2026                   Clinton            PA   911 Call Center

            Corrects previous flash flood report from 2
            NNW Loganton. Tree down near by the
            intersection of Rosecrans Lane and Long Run
            Road.

&&

JBL
Special weather statement, Sep 2, 11:08 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1108 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

PAZ012-041-045-030345-
Northern Lycoming PA-Southern Clinton PA-Northern Clinton PA-
1108 PM EDT Wed Sep 2 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN LYCOMING AND
CENTRAL CLINTON COUNTIES UNTIL 1145 PM EDT...

At 1108 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Glen Union, or 10 miles northwest of Lock Haven, moving east at 30
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 damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Lock Haven, Dunnstown, McElhattan, Glen Union and Lock Haven
  University.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4114 7769 4127 7769 4130 7737 4114 7734
TIME...MOT...LOC 0307Z 263DEG 23KT 4121 7762

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

Teare

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 2, 8:12 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPCentre, Clinton33 min
Sep 2, 8:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPClinton, Lycoming, Potter, Tioga38 min
Sep 2, 8:29 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPTioga35 min
Sep 2, 8:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPClinton, Lycoming51 min
Sep 2, 8:44 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPCentre, Clinton31 min
Sep 2, 8:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPMcKean, Potter, Tioga55 min
Sep 2, 8:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPClinton, Lycoming, Potter47 min
Sep 2, 9:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPClinton, Lycoming57 min
Sep 2, 9:24 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Lycoming3 hr
Sep 2, 9:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPTioga16 min
Sep 2, 9:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union40 min
Sep 2, 9:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan, Tioga40 min
Sep 2, 10:12 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union3 hr
Sep 2, 10:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPWarren40 min
Sep 2, 10:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPDauphin, Northumberland, Snyder, Union39 min
Sep 2, 11:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton37 min
Sep 2, 11:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPElk, McKean, Warren66 min
Sep 2, 11:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPDauphin, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder47 min
Sep 2, 11:15 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPElk, McKean, Warren15 min
Sep 2, 11:26 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPNorthumberland, Snyder, Union4 hr
Sep 2, 11:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPDauphin, Lebanon, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union49 min
Sep 2, 11:40 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clinton16 hr
Sep 2, 11:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean and 2 more41 min
Sep 3, 12:10 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPDauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Schuylkill50 min
Sep 3, 12:23 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming and 3 more61 min
Sep 3, 12:27 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Lycoming6 hr
Sep 3, 12:28 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPMcKean, Warren47 min
Sep 3, 12:50 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLancaster, York70 min
Sep 3, 1:09 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPClinton, Lycoming4 hr
Sep 3, 1:11 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCameron, Elk, McKean49 min
Sep 3, 1:14 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union6 hr
Sep 3, 1:26 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPSnyder, Union15 hr
Sep 3, 1:32 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCentre, Huntingdon43 min
Sep 3, 2:12 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry4 hr
Sep 3, 2:42 AM EDTFlood WatchCTPAdams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre and 27 more20 hr
Sep 3, 2:56 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPMcKean, Warren3 hr
Sep 3, 3:23 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPNorthumberland, Snyder, Union3 hr
Sep 3, 3:53 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPDauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill3 hr
Sep 3, 4:11 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPDauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon4 hr
Sep 3, 5:03 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPClinton, Lycoming117 min
Sep 3, 5:46 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPCentre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry2 hr
Sep 3, 5:56 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningCTPMcKean, Warren3 hr
Sep 3, 6:15 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPWarren45 min
Sep 3, 6:55 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCameron, Clearfield, Elk65 min
Sep 3, 8:37 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSomerset23 min
Sep 3, 8:55 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPBedford, Somerset50 min
Sep 3, 9:34 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPBedford, Franklin, Fulton, Somerset41 min
Sep 3, 7:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatCTPCambria, Somerset44 min
Sep 3, 7:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatCTPCambria, Somerset25 min
Sep 3, 7:21 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPCambria, Somerset3 hr
Sep 3, 7:39 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPBedford, Cambria, Somerset36 min
Sep 3, 7:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatCTPBedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset48 min
Sep 3, 7:54 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPBedford, Blair, Cambria36 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.