Scattered thunderstorms developed across western Pennsylvania in a hot and humid air mass with weak upper level winds. A few storms became severe, and heavy rainfall produced flash flooding and areal flooding.
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.
Scattered thunderstorms developed across western Pennsylvania in a hot and humid air mass with weak upper level winds. A few storms became severe, and heavy rainfall produced flash flooding and areal flooding.
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 Jul 16, 1:48 PM EST, 1 hour 22 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 248 PM EDT TUE JUL 16 2013 .SYNOPSIS... HIGH PRESSURE WILL MAINTAIN THE WARM AND HUMID CONDITIONS THROUGH FRIDAY. THUNDERSTORM CHANCES WILL INCREASE WITH A SATURDAY COLD FRONT. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... IN GENL...FORECAST RMNS ON TRACK AND NR TERM ADJUSTMENTS OF HOURLY TRENDS WERE ALL THAT WAS NEEDED FOR THE AFTN UPDATE. SFC DEWPOINTS OVR OHIO WERE AT 74 F READINGS LATE THIS MRNG...BUT THOSE WERE MIXED OUT A CPL DEGREES WHEN TEMPS REACHED CONVECTIVE THRESHOLDS. THEREFORE...HEAT ADVISORY CRITERIA SHOULD ONLY BE TOUCHED UPON BRIEFLY IN VICINITY OF ZZV THIS AFTN AND EARLY-ISSUED SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT ADVERTISING MID TO UPR 90S APPARENT TEMPS/HEAT INDICES WL SUFFICE FOR THE REST OF TDA. OTHERWISE...SHWR AND TSTM PATCHES THAT DVLPD SHOULD NOT PERSIST LONG IN ANY LOCATION GIVEN RAPID UPDRAFT COLLAPSE AND SUFFICIENT MOVEMENT. MORE OF THE SAME CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH WEDNESDAY AS BROAD UPR HIGH PRES RMNS PARKED OVR THE GREAT LAKES AND OH VALLEY REGIONS. BIAS CORRECTED MOS HAS BEEN PERFORMING WELL WITH THE WARMTH...USE OF WHICH WL THUS BE CONTD. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... VERY HUMID AMS WILL PERSIST THRU THE WEEK OWING TO STAGNANT FLOW AMID FLATTENING RIDGE ALOFT. BY THU...MID-LVL FLOW IS PROJECTED TO INCRS SLGTLY AS JET STREAM ACRS CANADA SINKS SWD. CAP STILL XPCD TO BE PRESENT ON THU...BUT SOMEWHAT WKR THAN PREV DAYS OWING TO THE AFOREMENTIONED EROSION OF THE RIDGE. VERY MODEST CNVGNC ALONG INVERTED SFC TROF AND TERRAIN CIRCULATIONS MAY PROVIDE THE ONLY CLR FOCI FOR ANY CNVCTV DVLPMT ON THU AFTN. ISOLD- SCT CVRG OF TSTMS WERE INCLUDED...BUT SUBSIDED WITH THE THU EVE WITH LOSS OF HEATING. BELT OF MDT WSWLY 500 MB FLOW IS PROGGED TO SPREAD FURTHER SWD ON FRI AS AGGRESSIVE TROF DIGS OVER S-CNTRL CANADA AND THE NRN PLNS. PRIMARY FOCUS FOR TSTM DVLPMT WILL BE ALONG THE ASSOCIATED CDFNT...WHICH IS FORECAST TO RMN NW OF FCST AREA. HOWEVER...GIVEN INCRG LIFT AND QUALITY INSOLATION...TSTMS CANNOT BE RULED OUT ON FRI AND CHC NMBRS WERE MAINTAINED AREA-WIDE. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... SGFNT SVR EPISODE RMNS PSBL ON SAT AS VERY HUMID AMS WILL RMN IN THE RGN IN ADVC OF ARRIVING CDFNT. H5 FLOW WILL INCR FRI NGT-SAT AS SHRTWV TROF CROSSES GRTLKS RGN. CNVCTN XPCD TO DVLP RELATIVELY EARLY ON SAT ALONG AND AHD OF ADVCG CDFNT. STG INSTBY AND MDT BULK SHEAR WILL SUPPORT ORGANIZED UPDRAFTS. SHEAR VECTOR WILL BE RELATIVELY PARALLEL TO ADVCG CDFNT...SO CNVCTN XPCD TO BCM LINEAR RELATIVELY QUICKLY. OWING TO VERY HIGH FRZG LVLS AND STEEP LAPSE RATES...DMGG WIND GUSTS WILL BE PRIMARY SVR THREAT FROM THESE TSTMS. CDFNT CROSSES RGN BY SAT EVE AND SCOURS OUT MSTR. PCPN WILL SHIFT SE OF FCST AREA BY SUN AFTN. TEMPS WILL TREND TWD LWR 80S EARLY NEXT WK IN WAKE OF CDFNT PASSAGE. NELY UPSLP FLOW ON MON MAY SUPPORT A FEW SHWRS ALONG TERRAIN. GUIDANCE SUGGESTS A SHRTWV TROF WILL STRENGTHEN SWLY LOW-LVL FLOW BY TUE AND WILL PROMOTE INCRG CHCS FOR TSTMS AS BNDRY-LYR MSTR INCRS. && .AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... ISOLATED SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THE AFTERNOON NORTH AND WEST OF PITTSBURGH THROUGH AT LEAST MID AFTERNOON...WHILE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN TERMINALS (DUJ...LBE...MGW...ZZV) WILL LIKELY BE RAIN FREE. THINK THAT SHOWERS SHOULD BEGIN TO DIMINISH IN COVERAGE BY AROUND 21Z...WITH ALL SHOWERS AND ASSOCIATED CUMULUS DISSIPATING BY 00-01Z. WITH DEWPOINTS ON THE RISE...THINK THAT ALL SITES WILL SEE AT LEAST MVFR VISIBILITIES OVERNIGHT. IN LOCATIONS WHERE THERE WAS GOOD AGREEMENT BETWEEN MODEL GUIDANCE...HAVE GONE AHEAD AND DROPPED FCSTS TO IFR. WEDNESDAY SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO TODAY...WITH WINDS UNDER 10 KTS AND ANOTHER ROUND OF DIURNAL CU AND ISOLATED SHOWERS/TSTMS. .OUTLOOK.../WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... RESTRICTIONS IN MORNING FOG WILL BE POSSIBLE EACH DAY. BEST CHC FOR MORE WDSPRD RESTRICTIONS WILL BE SAT AS CDFNT PASSAGE INVIGORATES BROAD CVRG OF TSTMS IN THE RGN. SOME RESTRICTIONS WITH PRECIPITATION MAY LINGER INTO SUNDAY. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...NONE. OH...NONE. PA...NONE. WV...NONE. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 933 AM EDT TUE JUL 16 2013 MDZ001-OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023- 029-031-073>076-WVZ001>004-012-021>023-041-171345- GARRETT-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- 933 AM EDT TUE JUL 16 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND...EAST CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE SATURDAY. THE PRIMARY SEVERE THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. 15
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
359 PM EDT TUE JUL 16 2013
PAZ021-073-162045-
ALLEGHENY PA-WESTMORELAND PA-
359 PM EDT TUE JUL 16 2013
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ALLEGHENY AND
WESTERN WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...
AT 356 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR WILKINSBURG...
MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. HEAVY RAIN WILL
POND WATER ON ROADS AND QUICKLY FILL DITCHES AND STREAMS. INTENSE
LIGHTNING CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THESE STORMS. MOVE INDOORS WHEN A
THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES. DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
WILKINSBURG... SPRINGDALE...
SOUTH SIDE PITTSBURGH... PLUM...
DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH... PENN HILLS...
OAKLAND... NORTH SIDE PITTSBURGH...
NEW KENSINGTON... MOUNT WASHINGTON... MILLVALE...
FOX CHAPEL...
HIGHWAYS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
I-279 PARKWAY NORTH BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 1 AND 3.
I-579 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD.
ROUTE 43 IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 50 AND 51.
I-376 PARKWAY WEST NEAR MILE MARKER 69.
I-376 PARKWAY CENTRAL BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 70 AND 74.
I-376 PARKWAY EAST BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 75 AND 84.
I-70 IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 43 AND 57.
TOLL 66 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 0 AND 13.
I-76 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 46 AND 81.
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF WILL ELEVATE SMALL STREAMS. PONDING OF WATER CAN BE
EXPECTED IN POOR DRAINAGE AREAS...LOW LYING SPOTS...AND UNDERPASSES.
PLEASE REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BY CALLING...412-262-1988...POSTING
TO THE NWS PITTSBURGH FACEBOOK PAGE...OR USING TWITTER
@NWSPITTSBURGH.
LAT...LON 4017 7952 4013 7984 4017 7986 4019 7985
4020 7988 4046 8006 4060 7980 4034 7933
FRIESThe Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:09 UTC.
9 flash flood, 3 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The 911 Call Center reported flooding on Route 917 from Pidgeon Creek out of its banks. 2 cars stalled in standing water.
The Fire Department reported flash flooding on Butler Street in Etna with over 2 feet of water running across road.
The public reported Route 51 and Lewis Run Road closed due to flash flooding.
The 911 call center reported Multiple trees down on Walnut Street.
The 911 Call Center reported multiple trees and wires down on Turner valley Road.
The public reported flash flooding as 2 to 3 feet of water covering Wall Street due to overflowing sewers, with manhole covers being blown off by water.
The 911 Call Center reported multiple trees down blocking Monkey Wrench Road in Hempfield Township.
The public reported Fallen Timber Run out of its banks with flash flooding on Fallen Timber Road.
Flash flooding on Washington BLVD with safety gates down. Road is closed.
The 911 Call Center reported flash flooding at Coal Valley Road and Route 837.
The public reported flash flooding on Boston Hollow Road in multiple locations with mudslides also closing road.
The 911 Call Center reported Flash flooding near Eden park, with water in several Structures in and around 29th Street and Park Street, Greenwood Street also flooded.
The 911 Call Center reported flash flooding around Route 48 and Ripple Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, July 2013
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: 461744, 461732, 461733, 461745, 461746, 461735, 461747, 461736, 461738, 461739, 461740, 461742, 461743.