Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 309, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

August 17, 2026New Castle County, Delaware; Chester County, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 17, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT for New Castle County, Delaware; Chester County, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 32 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
Aug 17, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT (22:45 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2026, 7:17 PM EDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties New Castle County, DE, Chester County, PA, Delaware County, PA

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:46 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 severe thunderstorm 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 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 179 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 12:00Z on 2026-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 154 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 12:00Z on 2026-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 77 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
154 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-50 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
877 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
77 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

025 
WUUS51 KPHI 172245
SVRPHI
DEC003-PAC029-045-172330-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0309.260817T2245Z-260817T2330Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
645 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern New Castle County in northern Delaware...
  Central Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania...
  Southwestern Delaware County in southeastern Pennsylvania...

* Until 730 PM EDT.
* At 643 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was reported near Honey Brook 
  and Glenmoore and moving southeast at 30 mph. 

* HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

* SOURCE...Radar indicated.

* Locations impacted include...
  Coatesville, Parkersburg, Thorndale, Bowington, Marshallton, 
  Chester, West Chester, Exton.
  

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 4004 7594 4010 7594 4019 7571 3985 7546
      3983 7547 3984 7553 3984 7560 3983 7565
      3980 7571 3976 7575 3972 7578 4001 7596
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 327DEG 25KT 4002 7579 

$$

EST
2 follow-up statements
934 
WWUS51 KPHI 172307
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
707 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

DEC003-PAC029-045-172330-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0309.000000T0000Z-260817T2330Z/
New Castle DE-Chester PA-Delaware PA-
707 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN NEW CASTLE...CENTRAL CHESTER AND SOUTHWESTERN
DELAWARE COUNTIES...

At 706 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Marshallton, or
near West Chester, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is 
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
West Chester, Coatesville, Westtown, Downingtown, Kennett Square,
Parkesburg, West Grove, Cheyney, Landenberg, Elam, Lionville,
Marshallton, Concordville, Lionville-Marchwood, North Star, West
Goshen, South Coatesville, Avondale, Modena, and Exton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move
indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers.
Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck
by lightning.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3999 7594 4012 7568 4001 7558 3985 7546
      3983 7547 3984 7553 3984 7560 3983 7565
      3980 7571 3976 7575 3972 7578 3977 7581
TIME...MOT...LOC 2306Z 324DEG 21KT 3994 7573 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$
EST
288 
WWUS51 KPHI 172317
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
717 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

DEC003-PAC029-045-172326-
/O.CAN.KPHI.SV.W.0309.000000T0000Z-260817T2330Z/
New Castle DE-Chester PA-Delaware PA-
717 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN NEW CASTLE...
CENTRAL CHESTER AND SOUTHWESTERN DELAWARE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However gusty winds and
heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Mount Holly NJ.

LAT...LON 3999 7594 4012 7568 4001 7558 3985 7546
      3983 7547 3984 7553 3984 7560 3983 7565
      3980 7571 3976 7575 3972 7578 3977 7581
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 327DEG 25KT 3988 7568 

$$

EST

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 Aug 17, 2:25 PM EDT, 4 hours 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. A cold front passes through the region this evening. 2. Another cold front is expected to cross through the region Wednesday night into Thursday resulting in additional shower and thunderstorm chances. Likely remaining unsettled late Friday into the first half of the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 2:25 PM EDT, 4 hours 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service New York NY
225 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A cold front passes through the region this evening.

2. Another cold front is expected to cross through the region
Wednesday night into Thursday resulting in additional shower
and thunderstorm chances. Likely remaining unsettled late
Friday into the first half of the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...A cold front will pass through the region this
evening. Most surface dew points will reside in the the lower half
of the 70s with elevated PWAT values. MLCAPE values will increase to
1000 to 1500, perhaps as high as 2000 J/kg. There remains through
the early evening the potential for some brief locally heavy rain.
Although shear will be limited and organized convection remains not
likely.

Behind the cold front temperatures and dew points will only fall
slightly later tonight. There may be areas of patchy fog in rural
locations, especially where any early evening showers take place
that would moisten the ground even further. High temperatures on
Tuesday will be just about identical to Monday, but dew points will
drop some with mainly lower and middle 60s further north, and upper
60s to around 70 well south. While warm, it should feel more
comfortable compared to Monday.

KEY MESSAGE 2...A cold front is expected to cross through the
region Wednesday night into Thursday resulting in more shower
and thunderstorm chances.

In the wake of tonight's cold front, weak high pressure will
briefly build into the region for Tuesday and much of Wednesday.
An upper-low will traverse portions of Ontario and Quebec
during this time, passing north of the region Wednesday night.
To the south of the upper-low, broad troughing will be in place
across much of the northeast, with a few embedded shortwaves
pivoting around the base of the trough. At the surface, a cold
front will begin to approach the area late Wednesday, and cross
through the region late Wednesday night into early Thursday.

Timing discrepancies remain with the frontal passage among the
model guidance. Some guidance indicates the front passing through
the region primarily during the overnight hours Wednesday night and
clearing the region Thursday morning, while there is some
guidance suggesting slower timing. At this point, timing
uncertainties limit confidence in whether or not there will be any
notable severe weather or flash flooding concerns, but this will
continue to be monitored in subsequent forecast cycles. If slower
solutions come to fruition then the chances of impacts from heavy
rain would increase. For now, PoPs peak in the high end chance - low
end likely range for the majority of the area Thursday.

Longer range NWP and AI guidance suggests that the pattern remains
unsettled later Friday and into the weekend as the front could get
hung up just south or even over the area with multiple areas of
weak low pressure riding along and mid-level troughing remaining in
place. PoPs currently are mainly in the chance to likely range each
day due to the present uncertainties in timing and placement of
these features and any progression in the long wave pattern. At this
time PoPs for this period are relatively higher further south and
east.

In terms of temps, Tuesday and Wednesday look to be fairly warm
with modestly increasing humidity. Highs look to be mainly in the
upper 80s to around 90. Temps currently look a bit cooler in
the wake of the front, with highs in the low to mid 80s and lows
in the upper 50s to mid 60s late this week and into the
weekend. Part of the reason for this will be due to more in terms
of cloud cover.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Today... A round of SHRA, perhaps a TSRA, may pass across the
terminals in the late afternoon/early evening with brief sub-VFR
conds. Will include PROB30 groups to handle this potential. NW
winds 5 to 10 kt. Moderate confidence.

Tonight...Lingering SHRA possible through 06Z or so. Generally
VFR outside of any SHRA. N-NW winds 5 to 10 kt. Moderate
confidence.

Outlook...

Tuesday through Wednesday...VFR. No sig wx expected.

Wednesday night through Friday...Periods of scattered showers
and perhaps storms are likely, with the greatest chance
currently appearing to be late Wednesday night into Thursday.
Sub-VFR conditions are possible with any showers or storms.

&&

.MARINE...
A few showers and thunderstorms possible early evening.

Seas subside to 2 to 4 feet as well. Thus, sub-SCA conditions
expected tonight.

Outlook...

Tuesday through Friday...No marine headlines currently
anticipated with winds under 25 kts and seas under 5 feet.
Scattered showers and perhaps storms could lead to periods of
visibility restrictions Wed night through a portion of Thu.
Another round of restricted visibilities are increasingly
likely late Friday into Saturday.

Rip Currents...

West winds at 10 to 15 mph this afternoon. Breaking waves will
average 1 to 2 feet. There will be an increasing southerly swell
with a 5 to 7 second period. This results in a LOW risk for the
development of dangerous and life threatening rip currents for
the Jersey Shore and Delaware Beaches.

For Tuesday, north-northeast winds 5 to 10 mph in the morning
will gradually turn to be more southerly at 5 to 10 mph in the
afternoon. Breaking waves will average 1 to 2 feet. There will
continue to be a southeasterly swell with a 6 to 8 second
period. The result of these conditions is a LOW risk for the
development of dangerous and life threatening rip currents for
the Jersey Shore and Delaware Beaches.

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

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...None.
NJ...None.
DE...None.
MD...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...
AVIATION...
MARINE...
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 17, 3:16 AM EDT, 15 hours 29 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
316 AM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MDZ012-015-019-020-181000-
Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-
316 AM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Maryland.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MPS

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 5:55 PM EDT, 50 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
Issued by National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
555 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

MDZ012-015-172245-
Queen Anne's-Kent-
555 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN QUEEN ANNE'S AND
KENT COUNTIES...

At 554 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Betterton, or
10 miles southeast of Aberdeen Proving Ground, moving east at 25 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Chestertown, Millington, Sudlersville, Betterton, Newtown, Sassafras,
Morgnec, Massey, Crumpton, Kennedyville, Galena, and Kingstown.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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 3929 7618 3929 7617 3932 7619 3934 7616
      3933 7614 3933 7613 3935 7614 3937 7611
      3937 7599 3936 7598 3937 7595 3936 7589
      3938 7582 3938 7578 3937 7576 3914 7575
      3925 7623 3926 7621
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 289DEG 21KT 3934 7604

EST
Local storm report, Aug 17, 6:16 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
616 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0549 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Reading Regional Airpor 40.38N 75.97W
08/17/2026  M53 MPH          Berks              PA   ASOS

&&
Local storm report, Aug 17, 6:20 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
620 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0520 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Jefferson Twp           40.44N 76.16W
08/17/2026                   Berks              PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down on wires. Time estimated from
            radar.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 17, 6:21 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
621 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0529 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Shoemakersville         40.50N 75.97W
08/17/2026                   Berks              PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down on wires. Time estimated from
            radar.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 17, 6:24 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
624 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0533 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Mohrsville              40.47N 75.98W
08/17/2026                   Berks              PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Multiple trees down, including one blocking
            a roadway. Time estimated from radar.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 17, 6:31 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
631 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

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

0551 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Wyomissing              40.33N 75.97W
08/17/2026                   Berks              PA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down. Time estimated from radar.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 4:43 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHINew Castle2 hr
Aug 17, 7:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIKent20 min
Aug 16, 11:21 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIChester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia4 hr
Aug 16, 11:38 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia4 hr
Aug 17, 1:57 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningPHIBucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia4 hr
Aug 17, 4:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementPHIBerks47 min
Aug 17, 5:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIBerks36 min
Aug 17, 5:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementPHIBerks30 min
Aug 17, 6:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPHIBerks, Chester, Montgomery42 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Delaware, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.