Pennsylvania, 1997

Heavy Rain in Pennsylvania, July 23 to 24, 1997

July 23 to 24, 1997 · NWS PHI · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

Heavy rain, associated with weak low pressure systems riding along a nearly stationary frontal boundary in the southern Delmarva Peninsula, fell across southeastern Pennsylvania from the evening of the 23rd to mid-day on the 24th. This was the most widespread rain since the beginning of June.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

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 PHI wrote it up.

Heavy rain, associated with weak low pressure systems riding along a nearly stationary frontal boundary in the southern Delmarva Peninsula, fell across southeastern Pennsylvania from the evening of the 23rd to mid-day on the 24th. This was the most widespread rain since the beginning of June. Storm totals averaged between 1.5 and 3.0 inches in Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties. Moisture associated with Tropical Storm Danny began to be absorbed into this frontal system on the 24th. Consequently storm totals were higher in Bucks and Montgomery Counties: between 2 and 5 inches in most places. Due to the extremely dry weather preceding this week, there were significant, but within bankfull rises on the major rivers and creeks. Roadway flooding occurred in the usual poor drainage and low-lying areas. Storm totals included 7.29 inches in New Hope, 5.25 inches in Doylestown, 4.15 inches in Norristown, 3.99 inches in Valley Forge, 3.71 inches in Springtown, 1.99 inches at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, 1.85 inches in Crum Creek, 1.64 inches in Palm and 1.63 inches at the Philadelphia International Airport.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Bucks

When
July 23, 9:00 PM EST to July 24, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Bucks County, Countywide
Coordinates
40.337, -75.107 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Delaware

When
July 23, 9:00 PM EST to July 24, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Delaware County, Countywide
Coordinates
39.917, -75.399 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Montgomery

When
July 23, 9:00 PM EST to July 24, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, Countywide
Coordinates
40.211, -75.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Philadelphia

When
July 23, 9:00 PM EST to July 24, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Philadelphia County, Countywide
Coordinates
40.008, -75.134 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, July 1997

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: 5614584, 5614585, 5614586, 5614587.