Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 175, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

July 15, 2026Carbon County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 15, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT for Carbon County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 39 min. 5 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 15, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT (20:51 UTC)
Expired
Jul 15, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Carbon County, PA, Lehigh County, PA, Northampton County, PA

The radar

The Binghamton radar (KBGM), 150 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:55 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
Jul 15, 5:10 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Nw Jim Thorpe, PASeveral large trees down on the D&L trail. Pictures shared on social media.
Jul 15, 5:15 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGLower Towamensing Twp, PATrees down (time estimated from radar).
Jul 15, 5:18 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGParryville, PATrees and wires down (time estimated from radar).
Jul 15, 5:20 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGEast Penn Twp, PATree down on wires (time estimated from radar).
Jul 15, 5:26 PM EDTHAIL 1.52 E Lehighton, PA

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 5 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 19 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

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 240 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 915 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 117 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
915 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-362 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1305 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
117 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
156 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

939 
WUUS51 KPHI 152051
SVRPHI
PAC025-077-095-152130-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0175.260715T2051Z-260715T2130Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
451 PM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  North central Lehigh County in eastern Pennsylvania...
  Carbon County in northeastern Pennsylvania...
  West central Northampton County in eastern Pennsylvania...

* Until 530 PM EDT.

* At 451 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Drums, or
  near Hazleton, moving southeast at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Wind damage to 
           roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

* Locations impacted include...
  Lehighton, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, Slatington, Nesquehoning,
  Weatherly, Walnutport, Danielsville, New Mahoning, Beltzville State
  Park, Berlinsville, Jordan Valley, Emerald, Lansford, Summit Hill,
  Bowmanstown, Beaver Meadows, Parryville, Weissport, and
  Trachsville.

This includes Northeast Extension between mile markers 66 and 84.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4087 7551 4081 7548 4066 7567 4073 7577
      4074 7576 4083 7590 4091 7599 4098 7582
      4098 7580 4101 7574 4102 7574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 313DEG 34KT 4105 7597 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Cooper
2 follow-up statements
829 
WWUS51 KPHI 152104
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
504 PM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

PAC025-077-095-152130-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0175.000000T0000Z-260715T2130Z/
Lehigh PA-Carbon PA-Northampton PA-
504 PM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT
FOR NORTH CENTRAL LEHIGH...CARBON AND WEST CENTRAL NORTHAMPTON
COUNTIES...

At 504 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Weatherly, or
near Hazleton, moving southeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vehicles is possible. Expect considerable 
         tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, 
         roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Lehighton, Palmerton, Jim Thorpe, Slatington, Nesquehoning,
Weatherly, Walnutport, Danielsville, New Mahoning, Beltzville State
Park, Berlinsville, Jordan Valley, Emerald, Lansford, Summit Hill,
Bowmanstown, Beaver Meadows, Parryville, Weissport, and Trachsville.

This includes Northeast Extension between mile markers 66 and 84.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 4087 7551 4081 7548 4066 7567 4073 7577
      4074 7576 4083 7590 4091 7599 4098 7582
      4098 7580 4101 7574 4102 7574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 313DEG 34KT 4096 7585 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Cooper
923 
WWUS51 KPHI 152131
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
531 PM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

PAC025-077-095-152140-
/O.EXP.KPHI.SV.W.0175.000000T0000Z-260715T2130Z/
Lehigh PA-Carbon PA-Northampton PA-
531 PM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL LEHIGH...CARBON
AND WEST CENTRAL NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for 
portions of Carbon County until 6 PM.

LAT...LON 4087 7551 4081 7548 4066 7567 4073 7577
      4074 7576 4083 7590 4091 7599 4098 7582
      4098 7580 4101 7574 4102 7574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2130Z 313DEG 34KT 4082 7565 

$$

Cooper

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 15, 3:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. Above normal temperatures will continue through Thursday. Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect for our entire forecast area for today, possibly into Thursday. 2. A cold front will pass through the region this evening. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible late in the afternoon and early evening. 3. Smoke from Canadian wildfires will infiltrate the area beginning tonight through Thursday, and potentially lingering through Friday into Saturday. 4. The first half of the weekend is shaping up to be active and unsettled with showers and thunderstorms expected for Saturday into Saturday night. Some of these could be severe and also produce heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 15, 3:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
347 PM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Chances for showers and storms have decreased some for Sunday.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Above normal temperatures will continue through Thursday. Extreme
Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect for our entire
forecast area for today, possibly into Thursday.

2. A cold front will pass through the region this evening. Isolated
thunderstorms will be possible late in the afternoon and early
evening.

3. Smoke from Canadian wildfires will infiltrate the area beginning
tonight through Thursday, and potentially lingering through Friday
into Saturday.

4. The first half of the weekend is shaping up to be active and
unsettled with showers and thunderstorms expected for Saturday into
Saturday night. Some of these could be severe and also produce
heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Above normal temperatures will continue through
Thursday. Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect
for our entire forecast area for today, possibly into Thursday.

Heat and humidity will peak today as strong upper ridging remains in
place. A low pressure system moving through eastern Canada will
result in warm advection amid westerly flow.

High temperatures today are expected to top out in the mid 90s to
near 100 degrees in most areas with dew points in the upper 60s to
mid 70s. This will result in heat indicies in the 100-109 degree
range for most of the area, hottest along and southeast of I-95. A
modest westerly wind near 10-20 mph help keep the sea breeze from
making any inland progress during the afternoon hours, keeping
coastal areas quite warm as well.

A weak cold front will pass through the area tonight, which will
knock down both temperatures and dew points a bit for Thursday.
While it will still be quite hot, with highs in the 90s, heat
indicies will only be a few degrees higher from the actual air
temperature. Also, have to consider how thick the smoke will be in
the area (see more on that below), which may limit daytime heating
on Thursday. This could result in temperatures being several degrees
cooler than what is currently forecast. Considering this and upon
discussion with neighboring offices, have opted to hold off on any
Heat Advisories for Thursday and see how much of an impact smoke
aloft will have on temperatures.

KEY MESSAGE 2...A cold front will pass through the region late this
afternoon into tonight. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible late
in the afternoon and early evening.

Most of today is still expected to be dry, however, there remains a
threat for isolated thunderstorms across the northern half of the
area during the late afternoon into the evening hours. A shortwave
will move across portions of New England, only scraping our area,
however, H5 flow on the order of 50-55 kt will overspread the area.
The environment during the afternoon and early evening hours ahead
of the cold front will become strongly unstable, with SBCAPE values
of 2000-2500 J/kg. Low-level lapse rates will be steep, with 0-3 km
lapse rates near dry adiabatic. Mid-level dry air from subsidence
will contribute to very high DCAPE values around 1200-1500 J/kg.
With the enhanced mid-level flow overspreading the region, effective
shear will range from 40-50 kt, greatest across northern portions of
the area. All of this being said, the environment in place will be
conditionally supportive of severe winds and some isolated large
hail, if and only if, any storms are able to develop.

For this reason, PoPs largely remain around 20-30% for areas north
of the PA Turnpike and I-195 in New Jersey. Elsewhere, PoPs are 10%
or less. Any storms that develop should track southeast into the
evening hours before diminishing with the loss of diurnal heating.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Smoke from Canadian wildfires will infiltrate the
area beginning tonight through Thursday, and potentially lingering
through Friday into Saturday.

The latest hi-res guidance continues to indicate near surface smoke
the wildfires in western Ontario will spread into the region
following tonight's cold frontal passage. The smoke appears likely
to persist in the area through Thursday night, and potentially
lingering through Friday and Saturday as well. The smoke is
anticipated to result in visibility restrictions and potential for
poor air quality, but exactly to what degree this may be is
uncertain. This smoke event is not currently anticipated to be as
severe as the June 2023 event, but this will be difficult to predict
ahead of time.

For more information about air quality in your area, visit your
state Department of Environmental Protection agency. We will also
relay any Air Quality Alerts they may issue on our website.

KEY MESSAGE 4...The first half of the weekend is shaping up to be
active and unsettled with showers and thunderstorms expected for
Saturday into Saturday night. Some of these could be severe and also
produce heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding.

We are still a few days out, but are monitoring the potential flash
flooding and severe weather setup as we get into the weekend.

As we get towards Friday night, low pressure will be approaching as
it moves into the Great Lakes region and pushes a warm front ahead
of it northwards towards the area. This could bring some showers and
storms into the area as early as the overnight period Friday night
with more widespread showers and storms expected for Saturday into
Saturday night as low pressure moves from the lower Great Lakes
eastward towards New England. As is often the case with these summer
patterns, there is some potential for both severe weather and heavy
rain/flash flooding. At this vantage point the shear looks to be
moderate to potentially strong with the main question being how
unstable it will get. This will determine the extent of any severe
weather threat but at this point we see at least some potential for
severe weather Saturday...especially during the afternoon and
evening. Precipitable water values will also be increasing to around
2+ inches. That is well above the 90th percentile for this time of
year, increasing the risk for heavy rain/flash flooding. It appears
storms may come through in multiple rounds with one or more rounds
of storms coming in later Friday night into the day Saturday with
the warm front and then another coming in late day into Saturday
night ahead of the cold front. So the bottom line is that Saturday
could be quite unsettled and most of the region has POPs in the 70-
90 percent range reflecting this.

As we head towards the latter part of the weekend, the latest
indications are for the cold front to move through a little faster
Saturday night into early Sunday. This will keep some chances for
showers/storms around into the first part of Sunday but but based on
this faster timing of the front, it looks like we will start to
clear out from NW to SE by the latter part of Sunday. As such, the
threat for severe weather and/or flash flooding appears low at this
time for Sunday.

High pressure builds in to start the new week before the next
frontal system may affect the area next Tuesday into Wednesday with
renewed chances for showers and storms.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG,
KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Rest of Today...Primarily VFR. Wildfire smoke is expected to remain
north of all terminals through the rest of today, with the exception
of ABE which may see some hazy skies after 21Z. Also, isolated
showers or storms are possible at ABE late as well, so have included
a PROB30 group there. West-south west winds around 10-15 kt with
gusts up to 20 kt. High confidence overall.

Tonight...Any VFR conditions to start will lower to MVFR between 00-
05Z from north to south. MVFR visibilities from wildfire smoke will
prevail through the remainder of the overnight. West winds around 5-
10 kt early in the evening will become north-northwest overnight
around 5 kt or less. Moderate confidence overall.

Thursday...MVFR visibilities will likely continue through much of
Thursday from wildfire smoke. There are indications that some denser
smoke will arrive later in the day (which may cause IFR visibilities
at times), but this primarily looks to hold off until Thursday
night. West-southwest winds around 10-15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt
in the afternoon. Moderate confidence overall.

Outlook...

Friday...Some restrictions possible due to lingering smoke from the
Canadian wildfires

Saturday through Saturday night...At least some restrictions likely
at times due to showers and storms.

Sunday...Lingering showers/storms possible in the morning then
becoming mainly VFR by the afternoon.

Monday...VFR expected.

&&

.MARINE...
No marine headlines are in effect through Thursday. Southwest winds
around 10-15 kt through this evening will become north-northest
overnight around 5-10 kt following a frontal passage. Winds will
then become south-southwest again on Thursday around 10-15 kt. Seas
around 2-3 feet through Thursday.

Generally fair weather is expected, however wildfire smoke will
filter into the region tonight into Thursday. This may cause some
localized areas of visibility restrictions, however no marine dense
smoke advisories for this are warranted at this time.

Outlook...

Friday...Canadian wildfire smoke may cause visibility restrictions
at times. Otherwise, fair weather and no marine hazards anticipated.

Saturday through Saturday night...South to southwesterly winds could
approach advisory criteria, with 10-15 kt winds and gusts 20-25 kt.
Seas generally under 5 feet. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Smoke
may also linger some during this period potentially still causing
some visibility restrictions.

Sunday...No marine hazards currently anticipated with winds under 25
kts and seas under 5 feet. Scattered showers and thunderstorms
possible.

Monday...Fair weather expected with winds under 25 knots and seas
around 3 feet.

Rip Currents...

On Thursday, south to southwest winds will average 10 to 15 mph
with a light southeast swell with a period of 6 to 8 seconds.
Breaking waves will average 1 to 2 feet. As a result, there is a
LOW risk for the development of dangerous and life threatening
rip currents at the Jersey Shore and at Delaware Beaches.

On Friday, north winds around 10 mph in the morning will veer to
the southeast in the afternoon with a light southerly swell
with a period around 6 seconds. Breaking waves will average 1
to 2 feet. As a result, there is a LOW risk for the development
of dangerous and life threatening rip currents at the Jersey
Shore and at Delaware Beaches.

For specific beach forecasts, visit weather.gov/beach/phi

&&

.CLIMATE...
A brief 1-day spike in temperatures is expected today, with
highs likely to approach records. Here are the records for
Wednesday, July 15:

Allentown/ABE      98 in 1995
AC Airport/ACY    100 in 1995
AC Marina/55N      99 in 1995
Georgetown/GED     96 in 2024 and 1993
Mount Pocono/MPO   92 in 1954
Philadelphia/PHL  103 in 1995
Reading/RDG       100 in 1995
Trenton/TTN       101 in 1995
Wilmington/ILG     99 in 1997 and 1995

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM EDT this evening for PAZ070-
     071-104-106.
     Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for PAZ054-055-
     060>062-101>103-105.
NJ...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM EDT this evening for NJZ010-
     012>015-017>020-027.
     Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NJZ001-007>009-
     016-021>026.
     Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for NJZ001-
     007>010.
DE...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM EDT this evening for DEZ001.
     Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for DEZ002>004.
MD...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for MDZ012-015-019-
     020.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Cooper/DeSilva/Fitzsimmons/Johnson/Staarmann
AVIATION...DeSilva/Fitzsimmons/Staarmann
MARINE...DeSilva/Fitzsimmons/MPS/Staarmann
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 15, 5:15 AM EDT, 11 hours 36 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
515 AM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

MDZ012-015-019-020-160915-
Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-
515 AM EDT Wed Jul 15 2026

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM
EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Maryland.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

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

   Heat Advisory.

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

Hot and humid conditions are forecast for Thursday, with heat indices
up to 105 degrees possible. Severe thunderstorms will be possible
Saturday and Sunday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

Staarmann

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 15, 4:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHICarbon, Monroe, Northampton30 min
Jul 15, 5:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIBucks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton33 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.