Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 31, NWS Pittsburgh, PA
NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this tornado warning at Jul 18, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT for Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 48 min. 3 reports 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
- Jul 18, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT (20:27 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 18, 2026, 5:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 48 min
- Issued by
- NWS Pittsburgh, PA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
County Jefferson County, PA
The radar
The State College radar (KCCX), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:28 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 4:34 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Nnw Punxsutawney, PA | Tree down on Burkett Hollow Rd in Oliver Twp. Time based on radar estimate. |
| Jul 18, 4:34 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 6 Ene Worthville, PA | Trees down on wires near MARKTON RD @ GREEN VALLEY RD, Knox Twp. Time based on radar estimate. |
| Jul 18, 4:47 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Nne Punxsutawney, PA | Tree down near 1215 HARMONY RD, Young Twp, PA. Time based on radar estimate. |
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 tornado warning; the first came 17 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 1:02 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 116 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 510 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -51 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 790 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 31 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 139 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 160 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
413
WFUS51 KPBZ 182027
TORPBZ
PAC065-182115-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.TO.W.0031.260718T2027Z-260718T2115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
427 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southern Jefferson PA County in west central Pennsylvania...
* Until 515 PM EDT.
* At 427 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles south of Brookville, moving southeast 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.
* Locations impacted include...
Sykesville, Big Run, Worthville, Anita and Knox-Dale.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4103 7915 4111 7910 4104 7880 4091 7881
4091 7882
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 296DEG 23KT 4106 7909
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
$$
MLB3 follow-up statements
069
WWUS51 KPBZ 182045
SVSPBZ
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
445 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
PAC065-182115-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260718T2115Z/
Jefferson PA-
445 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON PA COUNTY...
At 445 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Punxsutawney, moving southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Big Run and Anita.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4099 7905 4106 7900 4101 7880 4097 7880
4091 7881 4091 7882
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 296DEG 23KT 4105 7908
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
$$
MLB322
WWUS51 KPBZ 182057
SVSPBZ
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
457 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
PAC065-182115-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260718T2115Z/
Jefferson PA-
457 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON PA COUNTY...
At 457 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles east of Punxsutawney, moving southeast 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.
Locations impacted include...
Big Run.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4096 7896 4104 7892 4101 7880 4094 7880
4091 7881 4091 7882
TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 296DEG 23KT 4100 7894
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<1.00 IN
$$
MLB509
WWUS51 KPBZ 182105
SVSPBZ
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
505 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
PAC065-182115-
/O.EXP.KPBZ.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-260718T2115Z/
Jefferson PA-
505 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 515 PM EDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN
JEFFERSON PA COUNTY...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. To report severe
weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will send
your report to the National Weather Service office.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT
Saturday for a portion of west central Pennsylvania.
&&
LAT...LON 4096 7896 4104 7892 4101 7880 4094 7880
4091 7881 4091 7882
TIME...MOT...LOC 2057Z 296DEG 23KT 4096 7884
$$
MLBWhat 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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jul 18, 1:41 PM EDT, 2 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Damaging wind gusts possible in thunderstorms this evening along a crossing cold front 2) Another low pressure system expected to return thunderstorms and severe weather chances on Tuesday
Area forecast discussion, Jul 18, 1:41 PM EDT, 2 hours 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
141 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Severe storms expected today between 5pm and 10pm with a passing
cold front; damaging winds the main threat. Flood Watch issued
for the ridges and adjacent lowlands of western PA and northern
WV, where the highest rainfall amounts are expected due to
training thunderstorms.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Damaging wind gusts possible in thunderstorms this evening
along a crossing cold front
2) Another low pressure system expected to return thunderstorms
and severe weather chances on Tuesday
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
A cold front, currently moving across central Michigan, is
expected to reach our region late this evening. As the front
approaches, a squall line is expected to develop near Lake Erie
and track south. Damaging straight-line winds will be the
primary hazard. Secondary threats include quarter sized hail,
brief embedded tornadoes along the cold front, and locally heavy
rainfall.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed areas north of Interstate
70 in an Enhanced Risk (3/5) for severe weather, where the
orientation of the wind shear relative to the front is most
favorable for producing widespread damaging straight-line winds.
Numerous communities could experience downed trees and
scattered power outages this evening as the squall line moves
through.
Ahead of the approaching cold front, a few discrete
thunderstorms may develop. If these storms produce updrafts that
rapidly strengthen they could generate strong, ice-loaded
downdrafts capable of producing severe wind gusts.
The higher elevations of western PA and northern WV, and their
adjacent lowlands, are still forecast to receive the heaviest
rainfall accumulations of the day per latest convective allowing
models, primarily due to a combination of afternoon rounds of
thunderstorms and training along the slowly-advancing evening
cold front. The Weather Prediction Center has upgraded their
excessive rainfall outlook to a Slight Risk (Level 2 out of 4)
for these areas, and a Flood Watch has been issued until
Midnight tonight.
The probability of thunderstorms is expected to decrease between
9pm and 11pm this evening as the cold front exits south into
central West Virginia.
KEY MESSAGE 2...
Machine learning guidance has remained consistent in signaling
that a low pressure system tracking across the Great Lakes on
Tuesday will bring another threat of severe storms to the
region. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has outlined the
entire forecast domain in a 15% severe weather risk. Damaging
wind gusts and tornadoes appear to the be the primary hazard as
strong wind shear accompanies this large-scale system.
In addition to the severe weather threat, there is also the
potential for training showers and storms with a potential
mesoscale convection system (MCS) across the Ohio River Valley.
Rainfall totals could range between 1.5-2 inches in a short
period of time and result in flash flooding.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Widespread shower and thunderstorm coverage across the region is
expected to continue into the evening hours. There is a somewhat
isolated nature to this activity such that long stretches could
be clear at any one port but most have VCTS to cover this
activity. Ports will be updated as needed for additional
impacts. Within these storms, vis could drop between 1SM to 3SM
briefly. These storms could bring damaging wind gusts and carry
a low end tornado risk.
Between 21Z and 03Z the cold front is expected to advance south
of Lake Erie and bring a more solid line of thunderstorms with a
greater risk for damaging winds. At this time TEMPOS continue
for strong wind gusts in heavy thunderstorms along the front.
Additional timing breakdowns will follow once the line develops
and timing becomes more confident.
Outlook... MVFR to IFR CIG restrictions are possible Sunday
morning before VFR returns Sunday and Monday under high
pressure. Restrictions return in showers and thunderstorms on
Tuesday with a cold front.
&&
.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for PAZ015-016-022-
073>078.
OH...None.
WV...Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for WVZ511-512.
Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for WVZ001>004-
012-021-509>514.
&&
DISCUSSION...Cermak/Hefferan
AVIATION...AKHazardous weather outlook, Jul 18, 12:30 PM EDT, 3 hours 57 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1230 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013-014-020-021-029- 031-WVZ001>004-012-021-509-510-513-514-191630- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest- Lawrence-Butler-Beaver-Allegheny-Washington-Greene-Hancock-Brooke- Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia- Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Western Tucker- Eastern Tucker- 1230 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A passing cold front from the north will likely create damaging wind gusts later today. An Enhanced Risk (3/5) is in effect for areas north of I-70; Slight Risk (2/5) for areas south of Pittsburgh. The threat of severe storms is elevated between 5pm and 10pm. There is also a Marginal Risk (1/4) for flooding late this evening; pockets of 1-2 inches of rain could occur. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A passing low pressure system over the Great Lakes returns the threat of severe weather and flash flooding to the region on Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. PAZ015-016-022-073>078-WVZ511-512-191630- Clarion-Jefferson PA-Armstrong-Westmoreland- Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette- Higher Elevations of Fayette-Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana- Preston-Eastern Preston- 1230 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. A passing cold front from the north will likely create damaging wind gusts later today. An Enhanced Risk (3/5) is in effect for areas north of I-70; Slight Risk (2/5) for areas south of Pittsburgh. The threat of severe storms is elevated between 5pm and 10pm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A passing low pressure system over the Great Lakes returns the threat of severe weather and flash flooding to the region on Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. TC
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 18, 1:16 PM EDT, 3 hours 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
116 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 PM Flash Flood 2 W Greensburg 40.31N 79.58W
07/18/2026 Westmoreland PA Public
North Greengate Rd flooded at underpass.
&&
AAMLocal storm report, Jul 18, 2:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
250 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1225 PM Flash Flood 1 W Southwest Greensbur 40.29N 79.57W
07/18/2026 Westmoreland PA Emergency Mngr
Hempfield Manor, located at 1118 Woodward
Drive in Hempfield Township, is flooding,
and patients are being moved around inside
the facility.
&&
LupoLocal storm report, Jul 18, 2:54 PM EDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
254 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0119 PM Landslide 2 ESE Southwest Greensb 40.29N 79.51W
07/18/2026 Westmoreland PA Emergency Mngr
Two landslides have been reported on
Humphrey Road in Hempfield Township. Time
based on report.
&&
LupoLocal storm report, Jul 18, 3:50 PM EDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
350 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0249 PM Flash Flood 2 SSE Smithfield 39.78N 79.79W
07/18/2026 Fayette PA 911 Call Center
ROADWAY IS FLOODED AND THE WATER IS COMING
DOWN THREW SWIFTLY WATER IS COMING FROM THE
BANKS OF THE CREEK ACROSS THE STREET.
Reported near 149 ONDREJKO RD, GEORGES TWP.
Time based on report.
&&
LupoThe office that day
Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 5:43 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Allegheny | 32 min |
| Jul 18, 9:42 AM EDT | Flood Watch | PBZ | Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Fayette, Forest and 4 more | 13 hr |
| Jul 18, 11:32 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Indiana, Westmoreland | 2 hr |
| Jul 18, 1:37 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Armstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland | 2 hr |
| Jul 18, 3:19 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Westmoreland | 2 hr |
| Jul 18, 3:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Jefferson | 55 min |
| Jul 18, 3:56 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Jefferson | 34 min |
| Jul 18, 4:02 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Westmoreland | 3 hr |
| Jul 18, 4:39 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Venango | 51 min |
| Jul 18, 4:41 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Jefferson | 5 hr |
| Jul 18, 4:55 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | PBZ | Westmoreland | 50 min |
| Jul 18, 5:10 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Westmoreland | 3 hr |
| Jul 18, 5:33 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Jefferson | 38 min |
| Jul 18, 5:49 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Beaver, Butler, Lawrence | 56 min |
| Jul 18, 6:15 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Forest, Venango | 75 min |
| Jul 18, 6:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Mercer, Venango | 64 min |
| Jul 18, 6:38 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington | 67 min |
| Jul 18, 7:03 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, Mercer, Venango | 3 hr |
| Jul 18, 7:05 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Clarion, Forest, Jefferson | 55 min |
| Jul 18, 7:11 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Forest, Jefferson | 3 hr |
| Jul 18, 7:19 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland | 56 min |
| Jul 18, 7:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Mercer, Venango | 49 min |
| Jul 18, 7:42 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Beaver, Washington | 2 hr |
| Jul 18, 7:52 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | PBZ | Indiana, Westmoreland | 3 hr |
| Jul 18, 7:52 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Indiana, Jefferson | 38 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.