A couple rounds of convection affected central Pennsylvania this day. This first was associated with a vorticity max that pushed out of West Virginia during the early afternoon and generated a line of storms that evolved into bowing segments.
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 CTP wrote it up.
A couple rounds of convection affected central Pennsylvania this day. This first was associated with a vorticity max that pushed out of West Virginia during the early afternoon and generated a line of storms that evolved into bowing segments. Towards evening, a cold front pushed into the region and generated additional 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 State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 16, 9:17 AM EST, 3 hours 58 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 1017 AM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Seasonably warm and humid weather pattern continues with daily chances for mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Some storms may be strong to severe Tuesday afternoon and evening. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... So far the temps have not gotten hot enough to allow the tiny showers in far SWrn PA to grow much at all. However, destablization is anticipated shortly with plenty of sun breaking thru the former gloominess, and mdt-tcu now visible in Somerset Co. Will keep the idea of showers developing very soon and moving east. Flooding worries may be lower than thought previously since these cells are moving along nicely. FFGs in the 2-4 inch range over most of the CWA, only closer to 1.5 in a few spots over the Ohio basins. Prev... Latest CAMS have a consistent idea that convection should be flaring up with a trough rolling thru ern OH attm. This seems reasonable - only it may be too stable by the time it gets to the local area. Will trend the forecast to more of an early shot/line of showers/storms - moving thru JST in 2-3 hrs and UNV about 18z with similar timing elsehwere. Temps may have a tough time getting to fcst nums if this line materializes. Will leave the heat advy in place due to uncertainty of showers/timing and the high dewpoints already in place. Prev... Two areas of showers/brief downpours will impact the north-central 1/3 of the CWA through 8am. The HRRR has been doing a decent job tracking the showers which should exit the CWA by 14z. The main focus in the near term period will be severe thunderstorm risk this afternoon/evening. A surface low will slowly deepen across the Lower Great lakes with attendant warm/cold fronts extending across NY and back through the OH Valley. Central PA will reside within the warm sector characterized by moderate surface-based instability and high PWATs but poor mid-level lapse rates and weak forcing for lift. Stronger deep-layer shear/500mb flow arrives late in the day as the cold front reaches northwest PA. The available 16/00z CAM guidance seems to be suggesting the potential for semi-discrete multicell thunderstorms with the primary threat being strong to locally damaging winds given steepening low level lapse rates. The high moisture content airmass will also support heavy rainfall rates, but storm motions should be progressive. That said, some places may quickly pick up 1-2" which could pose localized runoff issues especially in urban/poor drainage areas. WPC has kept the area in MRGL risk for excessive rainfall. Lastly, HX values should reach the low 100s in the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster metro areas and therefore issued a heat advisory 16-23z. Scattered showers along the Allegheny front around 00-03z should gradually fade to the east of the higher terrain as low-level flow shifts more to the west. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... The best chances for rain should shift southward through midweek as axis of anomalous PWs sinks south of the Mason Dixon line. Day 2 /Wed/ max POPs were focused from southwest/south-central PA SWWD along the Appalachians which is a fairly consistent signal in the 00z model QPFs. Day 3 /Thu/ POPs are maximized along the Allegheny spine were terrain-induced lift should help fuel isolated to widely scattered diurnal convection. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Model and ensemble guidance still favors the Friday-Saturday period with perhaps the lowest probs for showers/storms with increased ridging sfc/aloft. The next frontal system currently projected to arrive around Sunday should provide the next opportunity for more widespread rain and continued to trend POPs upward based on multi-model/blended ensemble guidance. && .AVIATION /14Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Timing for lower clouds going away is right on time as mixing is occurring. Have allowed for a period of showers possible in the vcty of JST-AOO-UNV before 18z, and MDT-LNS generally between 18z-20z with the passage of a trough visible over SWrn PA at 14z. Most of the convection should still be after 21z starting in the NW about then and sliding to the SE. Prev... Any fog or lower cigs should lift arnd or shortly after 13Z, as diurnal heating develops and mixing occurs within deepening boundary layer. Widespread VFR conds expected from late Tues morning thru Tue evening. However, SCT TSRA are expected to develop ahead of an approaching cold front during the aftn and evening, primarily over the central and northwest mountains. A brief late day vis reduction could accompany these storms. Outlook... Wed...Am low cigs possible w mtns. Isold pm tsra impacts possible. Thu...Patchy am fog possible. Isold pm tsra impacts possible. Fri-Sat...No Sig Wx expected. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for PAZ057-059-065- 066. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Dangelo/Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Steinbugl LONG TERM...Steinbugl AVIATION...Dangelo/Ceru
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 335 AM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-024>027-033>035-037-041-042-045-046- 170745- WARREN-MCKEAN-POTTER-ELK-CAMERON-NORTHERN CLINTON-CLEARFIELD- NORTHERN CENTRE-SOUTHERN CENTRE-CAMBRIA-BLAIR-HUNTINGDON-MIFFLIN- SOMERSET-BEDFORD-FULTON-TIOGA-NORTHERN LYCOMING-SULLIVAN- SOUTHERN CLINTON-SOUTHERN LYCOMING- 335 AM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH DAMAGING WINDS 60 MPH OR GREATER AND LARGE HAIL EXCEEDING 1 INCH IN DIAMETER ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. PAZ057-059-065-066-170745- DAUPHIN-LEBANON-YORK-LANCASTER- 335 AM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV/STATECOLLEGE ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. HEAT ADVISORY. SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH DAMAGING WINDS 60 MPH OR GREATER AND LARGE HAIL EXCEEDING 1 INCH IN DIAMETER ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. PAZ028-036-049>053-056-058-063-064-170745- JUNIATA-FRANKLIN-UNION-SNYDER-MONTOUR-NORTHUMBERLAND-COLUMBIA-PERRY- SCHUYLKILL-CUMBERLAND-ADAMS- 335 AM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH DAMAGING WINDS 60 MPH OR GREATER AND LARGE HAIL EXCEEDING 1 INCH IN DIAMETER ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. HEAVY RAIN MAY ALSO LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL APPROACH 100 DEGREES DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. MS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
133 PM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016
PAZ026-034>036-161815-
BEDFORD PA-FULTON PA-HUNTINGDON PA-FRANKLIN PA-
133 PM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
AT 132 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR NEW ENTERPRISE TO NEAR WARFORDSBURG TO NEAR
GREENWOOD. MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH ARE POSSIBLE.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BREEZEWOOD...GREENCASTLE...BIG COVE TANNERY...WELLS TANNERY...
WATERFALL...DUDLEY...EVERETT...SALUVIA...UPPER STRASBURG...
FORT LITTLETON...MARION...CRYSTAL SPRINGS...NEEDMORE...
ROCKHILL FURNACE...HARRISONVILLE...TROUGH CREEK STATE PARK...
SHY BEAVER...MCCONNELLSBURG...WILLOW HILL AND RAYSTOWN DAM.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3972 7823 4012 7845 4051 7792 4044 7788
4040 7791 4039 7787 4037 7786 4037 7784
4006 7767 3972 7772
TIME...MOT...LOC 1732Z 233DEG 27KT 4010 7835 3979 7816 3947 7821
CRSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 205 PM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 PAZ026-028-035-036-056-063-064-161900- CUMBERLAND PA-JUNIATA PA-FULTON PA-HUNTINGDON PA-ADAMS PA- FRANKLIN PA-PERRY PA- 205 PM EDT TUE AUG 16 2016 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF ADAMS...FRANKLIN... FULTON...CUMBERLAND...JUNIATA...HUNTINGDON...AND PERRY COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT... AT 204 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR WATERFALL TO NEAR CHARLES TOWN. MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. TORRENTIAL RAIN IS EXPECTED. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CHAMBERSBURG...WAYNESBORO...SHIPPENSBURG...GREENCASTLE... FAYETTEVILLE...BIG SPRING STATE PARK...PERULACK...WAYNE HEIGHTS... MCCONNELLSBURG...WILLOW HILL...FORT LOUDON...EAST WATERFORD... ROXBURY...ROUZERVILLE...GUILFORD...DOYLESBURG...FANNETTSBURG... MERCERSBURG...HONEY GROVE AND SPRUCE HILL. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. && LAT...LON 3972 7804 4016 7804 4052 7743 3972 7740 TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 220DEG 31KT 4015 7798 3925 7798 MARTIN
The State College radar (KCCX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:16 UTC.
27 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires onto a vehicle in Newton-Hamilton.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree and several large limbs, partially blocking a roadway northwest of Chambersburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across a roadway and onto a car. No injuries were reported.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto Biglerville Road near Gettysburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near McAlisterville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Lower Allen Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Jackson Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in West Manchester Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires at Sinking Springs Lane and Church Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires on Susquehanna Trail in Conewago Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires on Sheepbridge Road in Newberry Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and power lines near Hallam.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto a mobile home near Maytown. No one was injured.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph caused a barn collapse along the 700 block of Kraybill Church Road near Mount Joy.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and power lines near Wrightsville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked own trees along Musser Road in East Donegal Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto a car at Anderson Ferry Road and Union School Road near Mount Joy.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto a building, trapping several people by blocking exits. No injuries were reported.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto tents in Knoebels Campground. Injuries were reported.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Blacklick Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Conemaugh Twp.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in several locations in the Johnstown area.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Houtzdale.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and power lines near Sandy Ridge.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires near Addison.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in several locations in Centre County.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees in Guilford Twp.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, August 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: 647812, 647813, 647814, 647815, 647816, 647817, 647818, 647819, 647820, 647821, 647822, 647823, 647824, 647825, 647826, 647827, 647835, 647828, 647829, 647836, 647832, 647837, 647831, 647830, 647833, 647834, 647838.