Pennsylvania, 2009

Flash Flooding in Pennsylvania, July 29, 2009

July 29, 2009 · NWS PHI · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

Thunderstorms with heavy rains that moved across the same parts of the Poconos produced flooding during the afternoon and evening of the 29th.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

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.

Thunderstorms with heavy rains that moved across the same parts of the Poconos produced flooding during the afternoon and evening of the 29th.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 29, 12:15 PM EST, 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 29, 12:15 PM EST, 25 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
115 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

.SYNOPSIS...
A WEAK COLD FRONT OVER THE GREAT LAKES REGION WILL DRIFT VERY
SLOWLY TO THE SOUTH AND EAST THROUGH TONIGHT BEFORE DISSIPATING
OVER PENNSYLVANIA. ANOTHER WEAK COLD FRONT IS FORECAST TO COME
DOWN FROM THE NORTHWEST FRIDAY BEFORE STALLING TO THE SOUTH ON
SATURDAY AND THEN MOVING BACK NORTH AS A WARM FRONT SUNDAY AND
MONDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
YOU KNOW ITS NOT GOING TO BE A VERY GOOD DAY WHEN YOU ALREADY HEAR
STATIC ON THE AM RADIO ON YOUR DRIVE IN TO WORK AND THE WINDOWS OF
THE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP ARE ALL COVERED IN FOG AND DEW. THE LATEST
MSAS ANALYSIS ALREADY HAS A -6C BULLSEYE OVER PHL AND ILG ALREADY
AND WE ARE CLOUDY AND THERE ARE STILL MANY CLOUDS UPSTREAM.

LEAD SHORT WAVE IN SPITE OF CLOUDS HAS ALREADY CAUSED HAIL AS
LARGE AS PING PONG BALLS AND WIND DAMAGE FROM TWO STORMS IN
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE VERTICAL INTEGRATED LIQUID, VIL WENT OFF
OUR CHARTS.

LOOKING AT THE 12Z SOUNDING INFORMATION, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE
EASTERN SHORT WAVE AS DEPICTED BY THE GFS IS EITHER NOT THERE OR
WEAKER THAN IT IS FORECASTING. AC HAS DEVELOPED AROUND THE DC AREA
AND THIS MAY BE A REFLECTION OF IT. THE MORE EMPHATIC AND OBVIOUS
SHORT WAVES ARE CURRENTLY IN THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEY. THE
12Z SOUNDINGS HAVE A CONVECTIVE TEMP OF 88F. BASED ON THE LATTER
SHORT WAVES BEING MORE OF THE BIG DOG AND THE HIGHER CONVECTIVE
TEMP WE SLID THE ONSET OF HIGHER PCPN CHANCES BACK ABOUT 2-3HRS
FOR THIS AFTERNOON. THIS WOULD GIVE US MORE TIME TO COOK THE AIR
MASS.

SPEAKING OF SOUTHERN SEVERE POTENTIAL, NOT MUCH CHANGE TO THE
PREVIOUS THINKING. THE SOUTHERN SHORT WAVES GENERATED
THUNDERSTORMS MAY CLOUD US OVER. THERE ARE STILL AC CLOUDS TO OUR
CW. BUT THE DAY IS LONG AND THE LLJ IS FORECAST TO INTENSIFY. THE
HIGHEST DEW POINTS OF THE SUMMER WILL MAKE THE LCL RELATIVELY LOW
AND COUPLED WITH DECENT SHEAR (AROUND 30 KNOTS, PLUS FORECAST
SHARP INDEX EXCEEDING 300) WOULD INCLUDE A TORNADO THREAT IN THE
MIX ALONG WITH DAMAGING WIND POTENTIAL.

TEMPS ARE ALREADY IN THE MID 80S IN LOWER DELMARVA AND WE HAVE
BOOSTED MAX TEMPS ABOUT 1-2F (MORE IN DELMARVA) ACROSS OUR CWA.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
SHOWERS AND TSTMS SHOULD CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING HOURS BEFORE
WEAKENING AND SLOWLY DISSIPATING LATE AT NIGHT AS ANY SHORT WAVES
ALOFT LIFT TO THE NE. ON THURSDAY, SCATTERED SHOWERS AND TSTMS
SHOULD DEVELOP MAINLY DURING THE AFTN AND EVENING BEFORE
DISSIPATING LATER THURSDAY NIGHT. HOWEVER, THEY DONT LOOK LIKE THE
WILL BE AS WIDESPREAD AS TODAY. SINCE WE DONT GET THE FRONT FROM
THE WEST MAKING IT INTO THE AREA, OVERNIGHT LOWS SHOULD STAY WARM
TONIGHT AND THURSDAY NIGHT WITH READINGS IN THE UPPER 60S TO MID
70S. HIGHS ON THURSDAY SHOULD BE MOSTLY IN THE 80S.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
5-WAVE MODEL GUIDANCE SHOWS A LONGWAVE TROUGH STILL ENTRENCHED OVER
THE REGION WITH THE BERMUDA HIGH COMPLACENTLY SITTING OFFSHORE
THROUGH THE EXTENDED PERIOD. AS RECENT PAST FORECASTS HAVE
POINTED OUT WITH THE STALLED FRONTAL BOUNDARY OVER THE AREA CHANCE
POPS WILL OCCUR JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY. THERE WAS NOT A DRASTIC
CHANGE TO THE FORECAST DURING THE EXTENDED OTHER THAN MINOR TWEAKS
IN DAYTIME HIGHS AND CLOUD COVER.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

THE SOON TO BE ISSUED TAFS WILL BE KEYING ON THE NEXT SHORT WAVE
TO PRODUCED AN ORGANIZED AREA OF CONVECTION MAINLY DURING THE
EVENING HOURS. IFR CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE. PRIOR TO THAT DURING
THE AFTERNOON THE FIRST SHORT WAVE IS EXITING OUR NORTHERN
TERMINALS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RELATIVE LULL. CONVECTIVE
TEMPS ARE CLOSE TO BEING REACHED AND WIDELY SCATTERED CONVECTION
COULD OCCUR.

CONVECTION SHOULD WANE TONIGHT, BUT THE AIR SHOULD REMAIN HUMID
AND MOST LIKELY IFR CONDITIONS DUE TO LOW CLOUDS AND OR FOG IS LIKELY
TO DEVELOP. CONDITIONS SHOULD BEGIN TO IMPROVE AGAIN AFTER
DAYBREAK THURSDAY WITH GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED DURING
THE REST OF THE DAY.

OUTLOOK...A SERIES OF WEAKENING COLD FRONTS SHOULD BRING ORGANIZED
CONVECTION AND MORE WIDESPREAD IFR OR MVFR CONDITIONS LATER FRIDAY
AND LATER SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. AROUND THOSE PERIODS MORE ISOLATED
OR WIDELY SCATTERED CONVECTION IS POSSIBLE, BUT THE IMPACT SHOULD
NOT BE WIDESPREAD IN EITHER TIME OR AREAL EXTENT.

&&

.MARINE...
WINDS AND SEAS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN TO INCREASE IN ADVANCE OF THE
APPROACHING FRONT. GUIDANCE FORECASTS FOR THE OFFSHORE BUOYS ARE
MARGINAL IN TERMS OF WIND SPEEDS, WHILE WAVEWATCH GUIDANCE MOVES THE
SEAS FIRMLY INTO ADVISORY TERRITORY BY TONIGHT. GUIDANCE SEEMS TO
HAVE CONDITIONS BACKING DOWN BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA DURING THE DAY
ON THURSDAY, AND WE WILL TRIM OFF A FEW HOURS FROM THE ADVISORY AND
END IT ON THE OCEAN AT NOON. OVER THE LOWER BAY, THE BEST CHANCE OF
ADVISORY CONDITIONS WILL BE NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE BAY /INDICATIONS
FROM BRANDYWINE NOTWITHSTANDING/, AND WE WILL WORD IT THAT WAY IN
THE TEXT PRODUCT. IT REMAINS UP THERE FOR TONIGHT ONLY.

A CAVEAT IS THAT STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MAY MOVE OVER THE WATERS TODAY
AND TONIGHT, AND THEY WOULD CREATE LOCALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY CONDITIONS MAY RETURN FOR FRIDAY AND FRIDAY
NIGHT.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
AFTER DISCUSSING IT WITH OUR SENIOR SERVICE HYDROLOGIST PLUS LOOKING
AT THE LATEST FORECAST SOUNDING INFORMATION THAT RAISE PCPN WATER
VALUES TO OVER 2 INCHES AND VIEWING PCT OF NORMAL PCPN WATER VALUES
ON SATL IMAGERY THAT ARE NEARING 200 PCT OF NORMAL, WE HAVE DECIDED
TO ISSUE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM SOUTHEASTERN PA INTO NORTHERN NJ.
THE LATEST MORNING HYDRO REPORTS SHOWED ADDITIONAL REGIONS THAT
RECEIVED HEAVY RAIN AND 1 HR FLASH FLOOD GUIDANCE IS CURRENTLY LESS
THAN 1.5 INCHES ACROSS BASINS IN SOUTHERN BERKS, NORTHERN CHESTER, A
BIG CHUNK OF SOMERSET, EASTERN MORRIS AND NORTHWEST SUSSEX NJ
COUNTIES . THESE SHOULD BE VIEWED AS THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE AREAS
LEADING INTO THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHTS EVENT.

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR PAZ060>062-067>071.
NJ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR NJZ001-007>010-012-
     015.
DE...NONE.
MD...NONE.
MARINE...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EDT
     THURSDAY FOR ANZ450>455.
     SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM EDT
     THURSDAY FOR ANZ431.

&&

SYNOPSIS...STAUBER
NEAR TERM...GIGI/STAUBER
SHORT TERM...STAUBER
LONG TERM...HEAVENER
AVIATION...GIGI
MARINE...DELISI
HYDROLOGY...GIGI
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 29, 12:30 PM EST, 10 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

NJZ001-007>010-012-015-PAZ061-062-069-301730-
SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-MERCER-LEHIGH-
NORTHAMPTON-BUCKS-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 634 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...NORTHERN
NEW JERSEY...NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY...EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AND
SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.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.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.
   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

NJZ013-014-PAZ054-055-301730-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-CARBON-MONROE-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 634 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND
NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.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.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

ANZ450-301730-
COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK TO MANASQUAN INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 634 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EDT
THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.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.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.
   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

DEZ004-NJZ024>026-301730-
DELAWARE BEACHES-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-
COASTAL OCEAN-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHERN DELAWARE AND
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY AFFECT THE REGION
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THESE STORMS MAY CONTAIN VERY HEAVY
RAIN, GUSTY WINDS, AND SMALL HAIL WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING STRIKES. FLOODING IS POSSIBLE IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

ANZ451>455-301730-
COASTAL WATERS FROM MANASQUAN INLET TO LITTLE EGG INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM LITTLE EGG INLET TO GREAT EGG INLET NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM GREAT EGG INLET TO CAPE MAY NJ OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE MAY NJ TO CAPE HENLOPEN DE OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE HENLOPEN TO FENWICK ISLAND DE OUT 20 NM-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EDT
THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.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.

   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

ANZ430-301730-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS NORTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR DELAWARE BAY WATERS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY AFFECT THE REGION
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THESE STORMS MAY CONTAIN VERY HEAVY
RAIN, GUSTY WINDS, AND SMALL HAIL WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING STRIKES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

ANZ431-301730-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS SOUTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM EDT
THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR DELAWARE BAY WATERS.

.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.

   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

DEZ001>003-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ016>023-027-301730-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-
CAROLINE-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-
CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL DELAWARE...NORTHERN
DELAWARE...SOUTHERN DELAWARE...NORTHEAST MARYLAND AND SOUTHERN NEW
JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY AFFECT THE REGION
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THESE STORMS MAY CONTAIN VERY HEAVY
RAIN, GUSTY WINDS, AND SMALL HAIL WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING STRIKES. FLOODING IS POSSIBLE IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

PAZ060-067-068-070-071-301730-
BERKS-CHESTER-MONTGOMERY-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-
130 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AND
SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.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.

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE PROBABLILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 29, 12:32 PM EST, 8 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
132 PM EDT WED JUL 29 2009

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

1206 PM     HAIL             4 N VALLEY FORGE        40.15N 75.48W
07/29/2009  M1.50 INCH       MONTGOMERY         PA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PING PONG SIZE HAIL REPORT IN UPPER PROVIDENCE TWP

1233 PM     HAIL             JIM THORPE              40.87N 75.74W
07/29/2009  M1.00 INCH       CARBON             PA   TRAINED SPOTTER

1233 PM     TSTM WND DMG     JIM THORPE              40.87N 75.74W
07/29/2009                   CARBON             PA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREES, POWER LINES, AND HIGH TENSION LINES DOWN

&&

KLINE

The radar

The Binghamton radar (KBGM), 137 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:39 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
July 29, 12:40 PM EST to 3:40 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 0.52 mi W of Scot Run to 0.22 mi SSW of Scot Run
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.070, -75.330

Thunderstorms with heavy rain forced some small streams out of their banks in Pocono Township. Doppler Radar storm total estimates were around three inches.

Flash Flood, Carbon

When
July 29, 7:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, 3.18 mi SSE of Christmans to 2.32 mi NNW of Trachsville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
40.930, -75.600

Thunderstorms with heavy rain that fell over the same areas caused poor drainage and smaller stream flooding in parts of Polk, Eldred, Penn Forest and Towamensing Townships. Doppler Radar storm total estimates reached between 3 and 4 inches.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
July 29, 7:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 2.09 mi SW of Robin Hood Lakes to 1.48 mi NNE of Henryville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
40.950, -75.560

Thunderstorms with heavy rain that fell over the same areas caused poor drainage and smaller stream flooding in west central Monroe County with the heaviest rain falling in Polk and Chestnut Townships. Doppler Radar storm total estimates reached between 3 and 6 inches. An actual storm total included 2.87 inches in Kresgeville.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, July 2009

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: 186567, 186561, 186564.