A stationary frontal boundary remained in place with a sharp contrast in temperatures between the Jersey shore and areas further inland. This thermal difference along the front coupled with instability west of the front lead to the development of showers and thunderstorms.
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 PHI wrote it up.
A stationary frontal boundary remained in place with a sharp contrast in temperatures between the Jersey shore and areas further inland. This thermal difference along the front coupled with instability west of the front lead to the development of showers and thunderstorms.
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 9, 2:58 PM EST, 6 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 358 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will slide through our region tonight. Beginning Sunday, high pressure will slowly build towards our region, shifting over our region by Monday and off shore by Tuesday night. A warm front lifts through our region Wednesday, bringing hot and humid conditions for Thursday. Another cold front may arrive Friday or Friday night. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SUNDAY MORNING/... At 19Z, the backdoor front was located along a line from central Delmarva into Berks County, PA. Thunderstorms were firing along this feature, and moving east-southeast. This front will move to the northeast as a warm front this evening, with portions of the Lehigh Valley and southern NJ getting into the warm sector. From these points south, we have continued enhanced wording in the forecast and Hazardous Weather Outlook for gusty winds and hail. Although the primary threat is gusty winds, we cannot rule out marginally severe hail in more robust cells closer to the front. There is also the potential for heavy downpours, with a consensus of the short range and high resolution guidance suggesting the greatest threat along a corridor from the Lehigh Valley into southern NJ. With the loss of instability and drier air advecting into the area, convection should end by midnight. We expect another round of low clouds tonight, particularly over portions of the Lehigh Valley and northern NJ. In addition, our local tools suggest some patchy fog over this area as well, as near-surface winds may decouple enough, therefore, it was included in the forecast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM SUNDAY/... A partly sunny day is expected with lower humidity values. As a mid-level disturbance moves by to the north, there continues to be a chance of late morning and afternoon showers, with a rumble of thunder possible, mainly north of I-80. Temperatures will be at seasonable levels with west-northwest winds gusting to 20 mph. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... Monday and Tuesday...Although we will still be near normal, if not slightly above normal on Tuesday, the start of the work week will feel considerably more comfortable than what we have seen lately. The surface high building over the region will keep conditions mostly dry through this period, and dew points should stay at more comfortable levels. A warming trend is possible on Tuesday as 1000 to 500 mb thicknesses increase in response to the approaching upper level ridge. Wednesday...As the surface high shifts further offshore, southerly return flow develops, resulting in considerable moisture advection. A warm front is expected to lift through the region, although its effects on Wednesday may be muted on the Coastal Plains as onshore flow could keep a cool marine layer in place form much of the day. Additionally, an upper level short wave trough will approach from the west late in the day on Wednesday. The combination of increasing moisture and synoptic scale lift ahead of the trough will result in increasing precip chances especially late in the day and for locations generally west of the fall line. Thursday through Saturday...with the maritime Tropical air mass in place, our region returns to a hot and humid pattern. Heat index values near 100 degrees and thunderstorms will be possible Thursday and Friday. Another cold front may arrive as early as late Friday, but models have backed off on just how far south the front will get before stalling. If it does reach our region, Saturday will likely be back to near normal temperatures. Otherwise, it may be similar to the previous two days. && .AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas. Tonight...MVFR/IFR at times with evening showers and thunderstorms. MVFR is possibly as low clouds advect into the region, and we cannot rule out patchy fog as well. Saturday...VFR after low clouds clear out early in the morning. Similar to Friday, MVFR/IFR possible in afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Outlook... Sunday through Tuesday...Mostly VFR conditions expected. Wednesday...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon across the region. Low stratus is possible for the Coastal Plains TAF sites (KMIV, KACY) especially in the morning. Thursday...Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible through the day, otherwise mostly VFR conditions are expected. && .MARINE... Winds and seas should remain well below Small Craft Advisory criteria Friday night into Saturday. Outlook... Monday through Thursday...winds and seas should stay below SCA criteria through this period. RIP CURRENTS: Based on the expected wind, wave and swell conditions, we are anticipating a low risk for the development of dangerous rip currents for Saturday along the New Jersey shore and at the Delaware Beaches. && .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...None. && Synopsis...Johnson Near Term...Franck Short Term...Franck Long Term...Johnson Aviation...Franck/Johnson Marine...Franck/Johnson
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 402 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 DEZ001-NJZ015-017>019-PAZ070-071-102-104-106-102015- NEW CASTLE-MERCER-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-DELAWARE- PHILADELPHIA-EASTERN CHESTER-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-LOWER BUCKS- 402 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN DELAWARE...CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. SOME SHOWERS AND ESPECIALLY THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING CAN PRODUCE LOCALLY STRONG WINDS AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. LOCALIZED FLOODING IS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY...HEAT INDICES EACH AFTERNOON ARE FORECAST TO BE AROUND 100 DEGREES, HOWEVER THIS WILL DEPEND ON HOW MUCH LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE IS IN PLACE. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. DEZ002>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012-013-016-020>025- 027-PAZ054-055-060>062-101-103-105-102015- KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT- CAROLINE-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX- WESTERN MONMOUTH-SALEM-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY- ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL ATLANTIC-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON- CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-NORTHAMPTON-WESTERN CHESTER- WESTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS- 402 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL DELAWARE...SOUTHERN DELAWARE...NORTHEAST MARYLAND...CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...NORTHERN NEW JERSEY...NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY...SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. SOME SHOWERS AND ESPECIALLY THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING CAN PRODUCE LOCALLY STRONG WINDS AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. LOCALIZED FLOODING IS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. NJZ014-026-102015- EASTERN MONMOUTH-COASTAL OCEAN- 402 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS THROUGH THIS EVENING. SOME SHOWERS AND ESPECIALLY THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING CAN PRODUCE LOCALLY STRONG WINDS AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. LOCALIZED FLOODING IS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ANZ430-431-450>455-102015- DELAWARE BAY WATERS NORTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE- DELAWARE BAY WATERS SOUTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE- COASTAL WATERS FROM SANDY HOOK TO MANASQUAN INLET NJ OUT 20 NM- 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- 402 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS AND DELAWARE BAY WATERS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. SOME SHOWERS AND ESPECIALLY THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING COULD PRODUCE LOCALLY STRONG WIND GUSTS ESPECIALLY NEARSHORE AND FOR DELAWARE BAY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1235 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
PAZ060-091700-
BERKS-
1235 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL BERKS COUNTY...
AT 1234 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR STRAUSSTOWN...OR NEAR
MYERSTOWN...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
READING...WYOMISSING...HAMBURG...SINKING SPRING...WOMELSDORF...
WERNERSVILLE...NEWMANSTOWN...LEESPORT...ADAMSTOWN...
SHOEMAKERSVILLE...BERNVILLE...STRAUSSTOWN...SPRING RIDGE...
FAIRVIEW HGTS...SHILLINGTON...WEST READING...MOHNTON...CENTERPORT...
WEST LAWN AND WEST WYOMISSING.
THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
LAT...LON 4052 7629 4052 7625 4055 7615 4056 7589
4021 7598 4022 7601 4031 7614 4036 7621
4037 7623 4043 7633
TIME...MOT...LOC 1634Z 285DEG 15KT 4044 7622
SFJSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1259 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
PAZ060-091730-
BERKS-
1259 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL BERKS COUNTY...
AT 1258 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR BERNVILLE...OR 8
MILES EAST OF MYERSTOWN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM. HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
READING...WYOMISSING...SINKING SPRING...LAURELDALE...WOMELSDORF...
WERNERSVILLE...NEWMANSTOWN...LEESPORT...BERNVILLE...STRAUSSTOWN...
SPRING RIDGE...FAIRVIEW HGTS...SHILLINGTON...WEST READING...
MOHNTON...CENTERPORT...WEST LAWN...WEST WYOMISSING...
WYOMISSING HILLS AND WHITFIELD.
THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
LAT...LON 4052 7619 4047 7583 4024 7603 4031 7614
4036 7621 4037 7623 4039 7628
TIME...MOT...LOC 1658Z 298DEG 9KT 4041 7617
SFJSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
127 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
PAZ060-091815-
BERKS-
127 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL BERKS COUNTY...
AT 126 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR WERNERSVILLE...OR 7
MILES NORTHWEST OF READING...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
READING...WYOMISSING...BIRDSBORO...SINKING SPRING...LAURELDALE...
WERNERSVILLE...LEESPORT...SPRING RIDGE...FAIRVIEW HGTS...
SHILLINGTON...WEST READING...MOUNT PENN...MOHNTON...KENHORST...
ST. LAWRENCE...WEST LAWN...FLYING HILLS...LORANE...
WEST WYOMISSING AND WYOMISSING HILLS.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
LAT...LON 4034 7614 4045 7608 4041 7568 4028 7573
4020 7589
TIME...MOT...LOC 1726Z 287DEG 14KT 4038 7606
JRKSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 238 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 DEZ003-004-091900- DELAWARE BEACHES-INLAND SUSSEX- 238 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL SUSSEX COUNTY... AT 236 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR GEORGETOWN...MOVING SLOWLY TO THE SOUTHEAST AT 5 MPH. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... GEORGETOWN...LEWES...MILTON AND ELLENDALE. WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS SLOW-MOVING STORM...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE FROM THIS STORM. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS...FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. LAT...LON 3879 7553 3886 7546 3876 7510 3861 7527 TIME...MOT...LOC 1836Z 292DEG 6KT 3873 7537 JRK
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
240 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
PAZ101-102-091930-
WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
240 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL CHESTER
COUNTY...
AT 239 PM EDT...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM HONEY BROOK TO PARADISE...AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
COATESVILLE...DOWNINGTOWN...PARKESBURG...HONEY BROOK...
CHESTER SPRINGS...COCHRANVILLE...GLENMOORE...LIONVILLE-MARCHWOOD...
LIONVILLE...ATGLEN...SOUTH COATESVILLE...CHRISTIANA...MODENA...
THORNDALE AND EXTON.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS...AND MAY
CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 4004 7593 4010 7594 4012 7590 4009 7549
3985 7584 3990 7600 3992 7600 3993 7598
3995 7600
TIME...MOT...LOC 1839Z 280DEG 16KT 4011 7589 3998 7611
ROBERTSONSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
313 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
DEZ003-004-092015-
DELAWARE BEACHES-INLAND SUSSEX-
313 PM EDT SAT JUL 9 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL SUSSEX COUNTY...
AT 306 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS NEAR GEORGETOWN OR 13
MILES WEST OF DEWEY BEACH...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
GEORGETOWN...MILLSBORO...MILTON AND LONG NECK.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS SLOW-MOVING
STORM...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2
INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE OVER 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM AND
THREATEN THE DELAWARE BEACHES SHORTLY. FOR YOUR SAFETY...MOVE OFF
THE BEACH AND SEEK SHELTER INDOORS.
LAT...LON 3856 7529 3874 7547 3882 7540 3872 7507
3867 7507 3869 7514 3864 7513 3862 7508
3866 7507 3866 7506 3861 7506 3859 7521
3858 7507 3860 7506 3854 7505
TIME...MOT...LOC 1912Z 316DEG 7KT 3873 7537
JRKThe Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 101 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:02 UTC.
1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
A funnel cloud was observed near Elam with a thunderstorm. Thunderstorm wind gusts near 50 mph were also observed near Fairfax a few minutes later.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Delaware in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Delaware, July 2016
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: 636330.