Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 45, NWS State College, PA

September 9, 2026Potter County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this tornado warning at Sep 9, 2026, 8:08 PM EDT for Potter County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 37 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 9, 2026, 8:08 PM EDT (00:08 UTC)
Expired
Sep 9, 2026, 8:45 PM EDT
In force
37 min
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

County Potter County, PA

The radar

The State College radar (KCCX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:09 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 9, 2:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 00:00Z, 0.1 hours before the alert went out and 134 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 00:00Z on 2026-09-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 121 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 00:00Z on 2026-09-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 197 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
121 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-27 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
623 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
197 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
257 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

119 
WFUS51 KCTP 100008
TORCTP
PAC105-100045-
/O.NEW.KCTP.TO.W.0045.260910T0008Z-260910T0045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service State College PA
808 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Potter County in north central Pennsylvania...

* Until 845 PM EDT.

* At 808 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Roulette, or 27 miles east of Bradford, moving
  east at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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 tornado will be near...
  Coudersport around 820 PM EDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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.

Report severe weather to your nearest law enforcement agency or the
National Weather Service office in State College PA.

&&

LAT...LON 4179 7817 4188 7819 4192 7784 4178 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 0008Z 267DEG 25KT 4184 7815

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Bowen
3 follow-up statements
872 
WWUS51 KCTP 100018
SVSCTP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
818 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

PAC105-100045-
/O.CON.KCTP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260910T0045Z/
Potter PA-
818 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN POTTER COUNTY...

At 818 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Coudersport, or 32 miles east of Bradford, moving
east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of
Northwestern Potter County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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.

Report severe weather to your nearest law enforcement agency or the
National Weather Service office in State College PA.

&&

LAT...LON 4180 7811 4188 7812 4192 7784 4179 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 0008Z 267DEG 25KT 4184 7814

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Bowen
267 
WWUS51 KCTP 100026
SVSCTP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
826 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

PAC105-100045-
/O.CON.KCTP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260910T0045Z/
Potter PA-
826 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL POTTER COUNTY...

At 826 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles northeast of Coudersport, or 35 miles west of
Wellsboro, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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 storm will remain over mainly rural areas of North
Central Potter County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from 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.

Tornadoes are difficult to observe at night. Take cover now!

Report severe weather to your nearest law enforcement agency or the
National Weather Service office in State College PA.

&&

LAT...LON 4180 7802 4188 7804 4192 7784 4181 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 0018Z 267DEG 25KT 4184 7805

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Bowen
301 
WWUS51 KCTP 100040
SVSCTP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
840 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

PAC105-100050-
/O.EXP.KCTP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-260910T0045Z/
Potter PA-
840 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 845 PM EDT FOR NORTH CENTRAL POTTER
COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire. To report severe weather, contact your nearest
law enforcement agency. They will send your report to the National
Weather Service office.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT
Wednesday for a portion of central Pennsylvania.

&&

LAT...LON 4180 7802 4188 7804 4192 7784 4181 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 0026Z 267DEG 25KT 4184 7797

$$

Bowen

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 9, 7:42 PM EDT, 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Showers and scattered strong to potentially severe thunderstorms, with the threat for localized gusty to damaging winds for late today and early tonight, mainly across the NW third of PA. 2) Showers confined to southern tier of PA Thursday. Dry conditions Friday before unsettled weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 9, 7:42 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
742 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
* Severe Weather Watch #665 in place for Northwestern PA for
  severe storms this evening

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Showers and scattered strong to potentially severe
thunderstorms, with the threat for localized gusty to damaging
winds for late today and early tonight, mainly across the NW
third of PA.

2) Showers confined to southern tier of PA Thursday. Dry
conditions Friday before unsettled weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Showers and scattered strong to potentially severe
thunderstorms, with the threat for localized gusty to damaging
winds for late today and early tonight, mainly across the NW
third of PA.

Increasingly southwesterly flow at the surface and aloft will
carry warm and humid air into the region today, in advance of a
cold front moving southeast across the Upper Great Lakes. An
axis of high PWAT air (1.75"+) will reach the south shore of
Lake Erie during the early afternoon, then sag SE across the NW
Mtns early this evening before reaching the Southern Tier of PA
before daybreak Thursday.

This surge of moisture, coupled with clearing in West/Central
PA, has allowed for sufficient instability to develop for
storms to feed on in this evening. Latest RAP Mesoanalysis has
2000+ SBCAPE J/kg nosing its way into Western PA and 1000+ J/kg
in the western half of the state. Lapse rates aloft aren't very
impressive though, leading to tall but skinny CAPE profiles
expected this evening. This favors heavy, efficient
precipitation and coupled with Corfidi Vectors expected in the
10-15kt range could lead to training storms. Isolated flash
flooding in Northwest PA is possible as a result, but fast
enough storm speed should preclude a more widespread threat.

The main deep layer shear and upper level forcing though
remains in Southern Michigan as of 18Z and is still a few hours
away from Northwest PA. This leads to uncertainty regarding
storm coverage and degree of organization. Should these features
align with the best CAPE this evening, greater coverage and
more organization of storms is more likely. A jet developing at
850mb this evening, coupled with forward storm speed and
precipitation loading in downdrafts, will allow for damaging
wind gusts to be the main hazard. Low level shear from this 850mb
jet will allow for 0-1km and 0-3km shear to be in the 20-30kt
range this evening. Coupled with cyclonic low level hodograph
curvature, a transient tornado threat may emerge from embedded
supercell structures and/or meso-vorticies depending on the
dominant storm mode. Day cloud phase has shown an area of
enhanced cumulus clouds this afternoon in the northern PA
counties. This indicates a potential low level boundary present,
which may act as a focus for storms and source of extra
vorticity for storms to ingest. Storms are anticipated to weaken
as they push further south and east tonight with increasingly
unfavorable instability. However, they will still be capable of
producing localized heavy downpours.

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

KEY MESSAGE 2: Showers confined to southern tier of PA
Thursday. Dry conditions Friday before unsettled weekend.

The most recent WPC ERO has pushed most of the Day 2 Marginal
to our south. Some lingering precipitation in the early morning
may occur in the southern tier as the previous night's wave
pushes through. The main shot of precipitation tomorrow is most
likely in the southern tier, particularly in the southwest, as
the cold front moves through in the afternoon. Most 6hr HREF
PMMs stay below 1" tomorrow afternoon and evening, but some
locally heavy rain remains possible.

High pressure builds behind the cold front, giving way to a dry
and sunny Friday. Low level moisture lurking just south of the
Mason/Dixon line Fri night will advance NE across the state on
Saturday as SFC high pressure moves well off the Mid Atlantic
and Southern New England Coast. This will lead to some showers
spreading NE across the region with a few PM TSRA possible
Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons, especially over the western
mtns. A more- active (wetter) pattern is in store for Mon-Tues.
But, the flat upper ridge over the southern half of the CONUS
will make it difficult for deep moisture to make it into PA
ahead of any shots of atmos forcing. The second half of the week
probably ends dry as the upper ridge pumps up over the central
CONUS.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
00z update... A band of showers and embedded thunderstorms is
crossing northern and western PA early this evening, and it is
still expected to begin losing steam with southeastward extent
by 02-03z. Near-term TSRA in the vicinity at KBFD necessitates
some early mention of them at that site. Otherwise, confidence
remains on the low side (20-40%) that they will impact other
terminals. Thus, we'll continue to employ the strategy that
amendments will be issued as necessary.

Overnight into early Thursday, there is a high probability
(70-80%) of low cloud development across the central and western
portions of the Commonwealth. We have high enough confidence to
go with IFR restrictions at KBFD and KJST, with MVFR-fuel
alternate restrictions anticipated at KAOO, KUNV, and KIPT. At
this juncture, we expect KMDT and KLNS to stay VFR.

By late morning-midday Thursday, cloud bases should be in the
process of lifting, with improving categories across the board
by/during the afternoon.

Outlook...

Fri...VFR conditions expected.

Sat-Mon...Primarily VFR conditions, with some potential for
afternoon SHRA/TSRA on at least a hit and miss basis.

&&

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

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...Lambrech
KEY MESSAGES...Lambrech
DISCUSSION...Lambrech
AVIATION...Jurewicz
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 9, 2:57 PM EDT, 5 hours 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
257 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

PAZ024>028-033>036-049>053-056>059-063>066-101900-
Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-
Franklin-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-
Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster-
257 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 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...Thursday through Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall is possible Thursday and Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ012-018-019-037-041-042-045-046-101900-
Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Tioga-
Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-
257 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible late
today into early tonight.

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

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ004>006-010-011-017-101900-
Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-
257 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 665 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 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...Thursday through Tuesday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 9, 5:52 PM EDT, 2 hours 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
552 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

PAZ004-092215-
Warren PA-
552 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WARREN COUNTY UNTIL
615 PM EDT...

At 552 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Spring Creek, or 18 miles west of Warren, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  Youngsville, Spring Creek, Lottsville, Garland and Starbrick.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4182 7958 4194 7958 4200 7920 4176 7921
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 270DEG 29KT 4188 7949

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Bauco
Special weather statement, Sep 9, 6:15 PM EDT, 1 hour 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
615 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

PAZ004-092245-
Warren PA-
615 PM EDT Wed Sep 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN WARREN COUNTY UNTIL
645 PM EDT...

At 615 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Warren South, or near Warren, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
  Warren, Russell, Scandia, Warren South, Kinzua Dam and Starbrick.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4181 7927 4194 7928 4199 7892 4183 7892
      4183 7895 4178 7895
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 269DEG 29KT 4188 7922

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Bauco

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 9, 8:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPTioga35 min
Sep 9, 8:59 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPCameron, McKean, Potter31 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.