Pennsylvania, 1996

Damaging Wind in Pennsylvania, April 12, 1996

April 12, 1996 · NWS CLE · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Powerful thunderstorms crossed the county causing widespread downed trees and power outages. Some trees were downed on cars and structures.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
12
Property damage
$800,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CLE wrote it up.

Powerful thunderstorms crossed the county causing widespread downed trees and power outages. Some trees were downed on cars and structures. Winds estimated at at least 70 mph partially collapsed an apartment building in Edinboro. Twelve people were injured.

The radar

The Buffalo radar (KBUF), 151 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:31 UTC.

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Erie

When
April 12, 6:30 PM EST
Where
Erie County, Countywide
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Injuries
12 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$800,000
Coordinates
42.050, -80.120

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, April 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5555688.