A severe squall line that developed ahead of a cold front moved across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania in the early morning hours of April 20th. Wind damage was widespread with NWS surveys confirming 2 seperate microbursts in Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties with total damages over 1 million dollars.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS PBZ wrote it up.
A severe squall line that developed ahead of a cold front moved across eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania in the early morning hours of April 20th. Wind damage was widespread with NWS surveys confirming 2 seperate microbursts in Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties with total damages over 1 million dollars.
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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 20, 2:34 AM EST, 41 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 334 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011 .SYNOPSIS... A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA THIS MORNING. THIS FRONT WILL BRING MORE SHOWERS AND STORMS TODAY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL PROVIDE DRY AND COOL CONDITIONS TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... UPDATED TO INCLUDE SVR WATCH 164. RECENT RADAR DATA, USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH LATEST MODEL RUNS, SHOWS THE LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER W OHIO, CONTINUING TO WEAKEN AS IT MOVES EASTWARD INTO MORE STABLE AIR. EXPECT THE LINE TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA THIS MORNING, AHEAD OF COLD FRONT WHICH WILL MOVE INTO C PA BY 18Z. LATEST DAY1 OUTLOOK FROM SPC, MOVES THE SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE TO THE EAST OF THE REGION. ALL THE DATA AND RECENT EVENTS, POINT TO A NON SEVERE EVENT AFTER WATCH ENDS. ACTIVITY WILL WIND DOWN VERY QUICKLY AFTER THE FRONT MOVES EASTWARD AND WOULD EXPECT JUST SHOWERS BEHIND THE FRONT. FORECASTED TEMPERATURES USING BLEND OF GFS MOS AND 21Z SREF VALUES. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY/... RECENT SREF MODEL OUTPUT CONTINUES TO SHOW HIGH PRESSURE COMING EAST FROM THE DAKOTAS TO PROVIDE DRY CONDITIONS WITH SEASONABLY COOL TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. MODEL SOLUTIONS VARY WITH THE THU NIGHT AND FRIDAY FORECAST. ANOTHER WARM FRONT WILL MOVE NORTHWARD THROUGH THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY BY THE END OF THE WORK WEEK. MODELS ARE INDICATING THAT A WAVE WILL MOVE ALONG THE NORTHERN FLANK OF THE FRONT LATE THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING. THE DIFFERENCES ARRIVE WITH THE POSITION OF THE FRONT FRIDAY, AND THE LOCATION OF THE WAVE. NAM KEEPS EVERYTHING FURTHER SOUTH ON FRIDAY, INCLUDE THE UNSTABLE AIR. THE GFS KEEPS THE AREA STABLE, BUT MOVES THE FRONT FURTHER NORTH. FOR NOW WILL GO WITH A COMPROMISE AND KEEP THE HIGHER POPS ACROSS THE SOUTH ON FRIDAY. FORECASTED TEMPERATURES USING MAINLY GFS MOS. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... MODELS SHOWING SIMILAR OUTPUT FRIDAY NIGHT, WITH ANOTHER WAVE MOVING NORTHWARD ALONG SFC BOUNDARY. FRIDAY NIGHT APPEARS TO BE A BETTER TIME FOR MORE WIDESPREAD RAIN, WITH THE UNSTABLE AIR REMAINING SOUTH OF THE REGION. COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH NEXT SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA LATE SAT AND THEN STALL BY SAT NIGHT. THIS STALLED FRONT WILL KEEP IN THE RISK FOR ACTIVITY THROUGH SUNDAY AND INTO MONDAY. MODELS ARE IN DECENT AGREEMENT PUSHING FRONT NORTHWARD ON MONDAY AND ALLOWING THE REGION TO ENTER THE WARM SECTOR BY TUESDAY. AT THIS POINT, NOT A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE LONG TERM FORECAST AS MODELS GETTING A HANDLE ON A STATIONARY FRONT THAT FAR OUT, GENERALLY RUN INTO PROBLEMS WITH THE DETAILS. && .AVIATION /08Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... LOW PRESSURE OVER OHIO WILL SWEEP A COLD FRONT ACROSS THE REGION TODAY WITH FROPA LATE MORNING AT ZZV TO EARLY AFTERNOON ACROSS THE EASTERN TERMINALS. GENERAL VFR AHEAD OF FRONT WITH INVERSION IN PLACE AND LOW LEVEL JET OF 50KTS AT 2K FT HAVE ADDED LLWS UNTIL FRONT APPROACHES TO MIX ATMOSPHERE. WITH INVERSION AND WEAK INSTABILITY HAVE KEPT CB IN TERMINALS BUT EXPECTING ONLY MVFR WITH FROPA IN SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. WITH FRONT AND BEHIND STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL BRING WEST WINDS GUSTING TO NEAR 30KTS INTO EARLY EVENING BEFORE DIMINISHING. SURFACE HIGH ACROSS WESTERN GREAT LAKES WILL THEN SHIFT EAST WITH VFR CONDITIONS INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. A WARM FRONT WILL APPROACH FROM THE SOUTHWEST ON FRIDAY AND RETURN THE CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH RESTRICTIONS. LOW PRESSURE MOVING ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY WILL BRING POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS SATURDAY WITH A FRONT STALLING ACROSS REGION FOR SUNDAY. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...NONE. OH...NONE. PA...NONE. WV...NONE. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 224 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029- 031-073>076-WVZ001>004-012-021>023-041-210630- TUSCARAWAS-CARROLL-COLUMBIANA-COSHOCTON-HARRISON-JEFFERSON OH- MUSKINGUM-GUERNSEY-BELMONT-NOBLE-MONROE-MERCER-VENANGO-FOREST- LAWRENCE-BUTLER-CLARION-JEFFERSON PA-BEAVER-ALLEGHENY-ARMSTRONG- INDIANA-WASHINGTON-GREENE-WESTMORELAND-WESTMORELAND RIDGES-FAYETTE- FAYETTE RIDGES-HANCOCK-BROOKE-OHIO-MARSHALL-WETZEL-MARION-MONONGALIA- PRESTON-TUCKER- 224 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 164 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EDT THIS MORNING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA. .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. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. MDZ001-210630- GARRETT- 224 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
347 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0326 AM HAIL NEW CONCORD 39.99N 81.73W
04/20/2011 E0.88 INCH MUSKINGUM OH PUBLIC
&&
EVENT NUMBER PBZ1100643
ASMITHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
351 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
PAZ007>009-200830-
FOREST PA-MERCER PA-VENANGO PA-
351 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM...
THUNDERSTORM TO MOVE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
VENANGO...FOREST AND MERCER...
AT 346 AM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR IN PITTSBURGH
INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER MERCER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55
MPH.
SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL BE IMPACTED BY THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
MERCER... FREDONIA... STONEBORO...
MAURICE K GODDARD STATE PARK... POLK...
SUGARCREEK... OIL CITY...
OIL CREEK STATE PARK...
PENNY SIZED HAIL AND 50 MPH WINDS MAY BE EXPECTED WITH THIS
THUNDERSTORM. KEEP AN EYE TO THE SKY AND MOVE TO A SAFE PLACE IF
THUNDERSTORMS APPROACH.
PLEASE REPORT HAIL...STRONG WINDS OR WIND DAMAGE TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE...1-877-633-6772.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM EDT
WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND
NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 8019 4131 8034 4150 8002 4149 8001
4150 8001 4163 7980 4162 7975 4162 7962
4163 7961 4163 7929PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
355 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE BYESVILLE 39.96N 81.53W
04/20/2011 GUERNSEY OH LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES DOWN ON VOCATIONAL ROAD
&&
EVENT NUMBER PBZ1100644
ASMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
358 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 E NEW CONCORD 39.99N 81.72W
04/20/2011 GUERNSEY OH LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWER LINES DOWN ON PATCH ROAD
&&
EVENT NUMBER PBZ1100645
ASMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
403 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 AM TSTM WND DMG SHERRODSVILLE 40.49N 81.24W
04/20/2011 CARROLL OH LAW ENFORCEMENT
POWERLINES REPORTED DOWN IN SHERRODSVILLE
&&
EVENT NUMBER PBZ1100646
ASMITHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
414 AM EDT WED APR 20 2011
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 AM TSTM WND DMG NEW PHILADELPHIA 40.49N 81.44W
04/20/2011 TUSCARAWAS OH LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN IN NEW PHILADELPHIA
&&
EVENT NUMBER PBZ1100647
ASMITHThe Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 26 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:14 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Emergency management reported trees down in Ohioville blocking State Route 68.
Emergency management reported trees down on Perry Highway in Jackson Township.
A trained spotter reported trees and powerlines down near Saxonburg.
A trained spotter reported trees and powerlines down near Saxonburg.
A trained spotter reported trees and powerlines down in Connoquenessing.
A trained spotter reported multiple trees and powerlines down in Butler.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, April 2011
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: 295621, 295622, 295623, 295624, 295625, 295626.