Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 34, NWS State College, PA

September 1, 2026Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this tornado warning at Sep 1, 2026, 7:27 PM EDT for Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 33 min. 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 1, 2026, 7:27 PM EDT (23:27 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.25 in

County Sullivan County, PA

The radar

The Binghamton radar (KBGM), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:27 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 tornado 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Sep 1, 4:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 257 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 2026-09-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1018 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 2026-09-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 62 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
1018 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-25 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
723 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
62 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
143 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

862 
WFUS51 KCTP 012327
TORCTP
PAC113-020000-
/O.NEW.KCTP.TO.W.0034.260901T2327Z-260902T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
727 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

The National Weather Service in State College PA has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Sullivan County in north central Pennsylvania...

* Until 800 PM EDT.

* At 727 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Overton, moving south at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  central Sullivan County, including the following locations...
  Dushore, Laporte, Eagles Mere, and Forksville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4132 7631 4131 7631 4131 7641 4128 7645
      4129 7655 4130 7656 4148 7663 4155 7641
      4137 7628
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 337DEG 33KT 4145 7648 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Jurewicz
1 follow-up statement
392 
WWUS51 KCTP 012356
SVSCTP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
756 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

PAC113-020004-
/O.EXP.KCTP.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260902T0000Z/
Sullivan PA-
756 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL SULLIVAN COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 800
PM EDT...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved south 
into northern Columbia County. Radar detected rotation has weakened 
and become more disorganized.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
north central Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 4132 7631 4131 7631 4131 7641 4128 7645
      4129 7655 4130 7656 4148 7663 4155 7641
      4137 7628
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 337DEG 33KT 4130 7645 

$$

Jurewicz

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Sep 1, 2:17 PM EDT, 5 hours 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Late summer surge of heat and humidity brings multi-day severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat to kickoff September
Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 2:17 PM EDT, 5 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
217 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
* 30% severe wind probability added to NW PA for Wednesday

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Late summer surge of heat and humidity brings multi-day
severe thunderstorm and excessive rainfall threat to kickoff
September

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1:

Moderate to strong instability (2-3000 J/kg MLCAPE) analyzed
over most of CPA this afternoon with very rich Td's in the
70-75F range and 30-40kt of deep layer shear increasing from SW
to NE. So in other words, a convective environment that is
highly favorable to support robust storm organization. That
said, nebulous large scale forcing continues to foster high
uncertainty regarding overall convective development and
evolution this afternoon/evening into tonight. Recent high-
resolution guidance may be converging on isolated to widely
scattered thunderstorms developing near the I80 corridor and
arching to the southeast into the Lower Susq/Delaware Valley.

Perhaps after late night lull, CAMs are suggesting a cluster of
storms progressing southeast from Lake Erie Wednesday morning.
This could delay onset of additional storms expected to develop
later Wednesday afternoon into the evening. The environment will
again be supportive of organized storm modes including
supercells and bowing segments with elevated tornado potential
within corridor of large SRH.

Previous Discussion:

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

A surge of late summer heat (max temps 80-90F range) with
dewpoints in upper 60s to mid 70s will result in a very moist
boundary layer with impressive MLCAPE values in the neighborhood
of 1500-3000 J/kg given mid level lapse rates around 7 C/km.
Forecast soundings also show robust deep layer/effective shear
values and appreciably curved low level hodographs. As such, a
couple of supercells will be possible.

From a large scale lift perspective, rising motion may be at
least partially suppressed by the right exit region of an upper
level jet max through much of today until at least mid
afternoon. Convection initiation is more likely in the 4pm-9pm
time frame as the boundary layer RH increases and the right
entrance region of the jet max approaches.

Increasing MUCAPE values late tonight through Wed morning
suggest storms/severe risk likely won't be tied to the typical
diurnal cycle. Any preexisting MCS upstream could be maintained
by the unstable atmosphere with us Wednesday morning. Hires
model guidance also shows an easterly flow across our eastern
zones associated with a back door cold front. Along that
boundary, models depict very large hodographs associated with a
strongly veered wind profile, with 0-3 km SRH on the order of
350 m2/s2 and 0-3km wind shear approaching 40 kts. If supercells
can ride southeastward on the unstable side of the boundary and
ingest this highly sheared inflow, a couple stronger tornadoes
can not be ruled out Wed afternoon into Wed evening.

The severe risk will be focused more across the southern tier of
central PA by Thursday, and south of the PA-MD border on Friday.
An upper trough passage suggests some lingering shower activity
into the weekend, otherwise it looks mostly dry.

The late summer heat is forecast to peak today and Wednesday
with very warm nights +10-20F above the historical average and
max heat index values just short of Heat Advisory criteria
(100F). The exception will be across the eastern zones Wed when
the back door cold front could hold max Ts down a few to several
degrees. The upper ridge is forecast to retrograde by the end
of the week which allows for increased troughing and a return to
more seasonal temperatures.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Mostly cloudy skies from earlier this morning have largely
broken up this afternoon as the primary disturbance has pressed
eastward toward the coast. Upper-level forcing over central
Pennsylvania will be relatively suppressive through this evening,
being situated in the less favorable right exit region of a jet
streak, with increasing  for convection with eastward extent
towards the coast. However, plentiful moisture (PWATs of 1.5-2")
and moderate instability (MLCAPE of 2000-2500 J/kg) will
conditionally support a few heavy and locally strong
thunderstorms later this evening, primarily for
KIPT/KUNV/KMDT/KLNS closer to the better lift, with recent CAMs
showing a trend towards convection nosing into these areas later
today.

Evening convection will wane overnight, giving way to the
potential for overnight fog and low stratus across the region as
winds diminish and mainly mid/high level clouds remain. Farther
east (KMDT/KLNS), a backdoor cold front moving in overnight
will result in winds trending easterly & ceilings lowering to
MVFR-IFR. Areas of morning fog and low stratus will gradually
mix out to VFR through Wednesday morning and the early afternoon
hours, with slower improvements expected at KMDT/KLNS in the
vicinity of the front. Otherwise, PROB30 groups for -TSRA were
added to most terminals (exception being KIPT at this time)
given a signal on CAMs for a potential line or cluster of
showers/storms which may move E/SEward across the CWA, though
timing/certainty remains low given its dependency on upstream
evolution.

Outlook...

Wed-Fri...Scattered SHRA/TSRA with brief restrictions possible;
morning fog possible.

Sat...SHRA/TSRA trending less likely as cold front moves
southward across the Commonwealth; morning fog possible.

Sun...VFR favored; morning fog possible.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl
KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl
DISCUSSION...Steinbugl/Colbert
AVIATION...Teare
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 1, 6:12 PM EDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
612 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-027-028-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-
056>059-063-065-066-022215-
Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-
Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Mifflin-Juniata-Tioga-
Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-
Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-
Lebanon-Cumberland-York-Lancaster-
612 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 638 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.

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

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ024>026-033>036-064-022215-
Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Adams-
612 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong winds and heavy
rainfall are possible late today into tonight.

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

Multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms with strong winds
and heavy rainfall are possible Wednesday and Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 6:11 PM EDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
611 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0551 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     0 NW Danville           40.96N 76.62W
09/01/2026                   Montour            PA   911 Call Center

            Multiple trees down across Danville.

&&

NPB
Local storm report, Sep 1, 6:27 PM EDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
627 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0601 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NW Danville           41.00N 76.65W
09/01/2026                   Montour            PA   Utility Company

            Large tree and wires down in the vicinity of
            Mooresburg causing widespread power outages.

&&

NPB
Local storm report, Sep 1, 6:29 PM EDT, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
629 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0544 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 ESE Elkland           41.97N 77.23W
09/01/2026                   Tioga              PA   911 Call Center

            Multiple trees down near intersection of
            Route 49 and Cummings Creek Road.

&&
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 6:58 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
658 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

PAZ046-051>053-012345-
Columbia PA-Southern Lycoming PA-Northumberland PA-Montour PA-
658 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL NORTHUMBERLAND...
CENTRAL MONTOUR...SOUTHEASTERN LYCOMING AND CENTRAL COLUMBIA COUNTIES
THROUGH 745 PM EDT...

At 658 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Montoursville, moving southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Hughesville around 705 PM EDT.
  Exchange around 710 PM EDT.
  Jerseytown and Iola around 720 PM EDT.
  Eyers Grove around 725 PM EDT.
  Bloomsburg and Buckhorn around 735 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Turbotville,
Washingtonville, Orangeville, Espy, and Stillwater.

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.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
central and north central Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 4091 7644 4113 7690 4114 7690 4114 7692
      4115 7694 4131 7684 4115 7629 4114 7629
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 296DEG 25KT 4120 7681

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Jurewicz
Local storm report, Sep 1, 7:12 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
712 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0659 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NE Tidioute           41.71N 79.35W
09/01/2026                   Warren             PA   911 Call Center

            Large tree down near the intersection of
            Davey Hill Road and Deerfield Lane.

&&

NPB
Local storm report, Sep 1, 7:18 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
718 PM EDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0657 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 N Richland            40.38N 76.27W
09/01/2026                   Lebanon            PA   911 Call Center

            Tree down near the intersection of
            Millardsville Road and East Lincoln Avenue.

&&

NPB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 1, 4:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan49 min
Sep 1, 4:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Tioga39 min
Sep 1, 5:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPPotter, Tioga41 min
Sep 1, 5:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland50 min
Sep 1, 5:13 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPPotter, Tioga32 min
Sep 1, 5:19 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan, Tioga26 min
Sep 1, 5:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Potter, Tioga48 min
Sep 1, 5:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland48 min
Sep 1, 5:46 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPColumbia, Montour, Northumberland29 min
Sep 1, 5:56 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPLycoming3 hr
Sep 1, 6:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Northumberland, Schuylkill52 min
Sep 1, 6:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatCTPLebanon, Schuylkill57 min
Sep 1, 6:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPWarren48 min
Sep 1, 6:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPColumbia, Montour47 min
Sep 1, 7:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPSullivan38 min
Sep 1, 7:14 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPSchuylkill3 hr
Sep 1, 7:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPElk, McKean, Warren48 min
Sep 1, 7:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster29 min
Sep 1, 7:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Sullivan44 min
Sep 1, 7:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster16 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.