As a shortwave moved across the eastern Great Lakes, a weak boundary moved south across western Pennsylvania. Thunderstorms developed along the boundary in the evening, with isolated severe 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 PBZ wrote it up.
As a shortwave moved across the eastern Great Lakes, a weak boundary moved south across western Pennsylvania. Thunderstorms developed along the boundary in the evening, with isolated severe thunderstorms. One storm produced a weak and brief EF0 tornado in southern Butler county.
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 Aug 25, 5:51 PM EST, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 651 PM EDT Thu Aug 25 2016 .SYNOPSIS... Showers and thunderstorms will move through the area this evening and tonight with very warm conditions continuing through the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... An eastward moving short wave trough moving across the eastern Great Lakes with best mid and upper level support well north of the region. Scattered thunderstorms have developed along a weak boundary/lake breeze across eastern Ohio into northwest PA. With plenty of low level instability these storms will continue to expand a bit and sink southeast through the evening, but coverage may not be as widespread as previously expected. With elevated dew points a warm and muggy night in store with well above average temperatures. Otherwise adjusted hourly temperatures and sky cover based on latest observations. Shortwave will be well east for Friday with quite warm and humid conditions as high pressure builds across the region. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Upper ridge of high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic will continue to build through the weekend. This, and a broad area of surface high pressure drifting across our north will keep our area dry through a majority of the weekend with a warming trend. Dewpoint temperatures will drop back down to around 60 by Friday night, but will slowly creep back up through Saturday and into Sunday. By Sunday, the very humid air mass will return with dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s common. This, and a draw of warmer air from the south will combine for high heat indices that may near 100 degrees. How warm we get Sunday may largely depend on the arrival of clouds associated with a disturbance passing well to our north. Model guidance indicates the potential for afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms as a mid-level wave tries to flatten the upper ridge. With the best forcing riding over the ridge and staying to our north, coverage of showers may be limited. Tax && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Little change in pattern is indicated through the first half of next week with the southern U.S. upper high maintaining grip, but with tropical system encroachment toward the Southeastern Coast. Shortwaves with the zonal flow over the immediate area would support periodic, and diurnally-supported precip chances for the long term. Low-confidence slight to chance POPs were maintained for that eventuality as per the latest Superblend guidance. Warm temperature can be expected given the lack of any significant airmass alteration. && .AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Showers and a few thunderstorms will encroach from the west during the early portions of the forecast. Expect coverage and intensity to continue to decrease overnight, so have only included restrictions in a tempo group. Shortwave that has sparked the activity will clear the area quickly this morning. Expect a quick return to vfr conditions after sunrise. .OUTLOOK /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Periodic restriction chances should persist through Friday with the approach and passage of a cold front. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. OH...None. PA...None. WV...None. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 945 AM EDT THU AUG 25 2016 MDZ001-OHZ048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ016-021>023-029-031-073>076- WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-261345- GARRETT-COSHOCTON-HARRISON-JEFFERSON-MUSKINGUM-GUERNSEY-BELMONT- NOBLE-MONROE-ALLEGHENY-ARMSTRONG-INDIANA-WASHINGTON-GREENE- WESTMORELAND-WESTMORELAND RIDGES-FAYETTE-FAYETTE RIDGES-HANCOCK- BROOKE-OHIO-MARSHALL-WETZEL-MARION-MONONGALIA- RIDGES OF EASTERN MONONGALIA AND NORTHWESTERN PRESTON-PRESTON- EASTERN PRESTON-WESTERN TUCKER-EASTERN TUCKER- 945 AM EDT THU AUG 25 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND...EAST CENTRAL OHIO...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...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. 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. OHZ039>041-PAZ007>009-013>015-020-261345- TUSCARAWAS-CARROLL-COLUMBIANA-MERCER-VENANGO-FOREST-LAWRENCE-BUTLER- CLARION-BEAVER- 945 AM EDT THU AUG 25 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AND WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS VERY LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. 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.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA 458 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016 OHZ039-040-049-252130- HARRISON-TUSCARAWAS-CARROLL- 458 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN HARRISON... SOUTHWESTERN CARROLL AND SOUTHEASTERN TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES... AT 458 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR NEWCOMERSTOWN...OR 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF UHRICHSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... UHRICHSVILLE...CADIZ...NEWCOMERSTOWN...DENNISON...GNADENHUTTEN... TUSCARAWAS...SCIO...MIDVALE...JEWETT...PORT WASHINGTON...BOWERSTON... BARNHILL...STONE CREEK...LEESVILLE...STILLWATER...GILMORE... TIPPECANOE...DEERSVILLE...TAPPAN LAKE AND LEESVILLE LAKE PARK. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 77 IN OHIO BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 63 AND 74. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 4053 8104 4027 8098 4025 8155 4040 8160 TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 263DEG 28KT 4033 8151 34
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
710 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
PAZ008-015-252345-
VENANGO-CLARION-
710 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN VENANGO AND
NORTHWESTERN CLARION COUNTIES...
AT 710 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 10 MILES SOUTHWEST
OF FRANKLIN...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
KNOX...SENECA...EMLENTON...CLINTONVILLE...SHIPPENVILLE...ST.
PETERSBURG...KENNERDELL...FOXBURG...CHERRY VALLEY AND CRANBERRY.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 31
AND 58.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
LAT...LON 4139 7948 4138 7946 4113 7945 4115 7968
4116 7968 4117 7970 4117 7994 4135 7996
4140 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 268DEG 24KT 4126 7991SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
752 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
PAZ015-260030-
CLARION-
752 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL CLARION COUNTY...
AT 751 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR KNOX...MOVING
EAST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CLARION...KNOX...STRATTANVILLE...LIMESTONE...SHIPPENVILLE...
CALLENSBURG AND FRYBURG.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 48
AND 68.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
LAT...LON 4139 7933 4113 7926 4112 7963 4121 7966
4122 7965 4125 7965 4126 7963 4128 7962
4128 7960 4131 7960 4132 7957 4132 7954
4133 7954 4134 7951 4134 7948 4135 7948
TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 258DEG 13KT 4121 7962SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
830 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
PAZ009-015-016-260100-
JEFFERSON-CLARION-FOREST-
830 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...
SOUTHEASTERN FOREST AND NORTHEASTERN CLARION COUNTIES...
AT 829 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MARIENVILLE...
MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MARIENVILLE...SIGEL...LEEPER...COOK FOREST STATE PARK...CLEAR CREEK
STATE PARK AND CLARINGTON.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
LAT...LON 4116 7892 4137 7931 4153 7920 4145 7896
4144 7896 4144 7897 4145 7898 4145 7906
4142 7907 4142 7909 4134 7909 4135 7908
4136 7903 4135 7902 4138 7897 4136 7896
4130 7882
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 299DEG 23KT 4142 7917SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
831 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
PAZ015-016-022-260100-
JEFFERSON-CLARION-ARMSTRONG-
831 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON...CENTRAL
ARMSTRONG AND SOUTHERN CLARION COUNTIES...
AT 831 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR KNOX...MOVING
EAST AT 35 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CLARION...BROOKVILLE...KNOX...RIMERSBURG...NEW BETHLEHEM...PARKER...
SLIGO...STRATTANVILLE...SUMMERVILLE...LIMESTONE...HAWTHORN...ST.
PETERSBURG...CORSICA...CALLENSBURG...FOXBURG...TIMBLIN AND
WORTHVILLE.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 47
AND 85.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
LAT...LON 4092 7905 4109 7969 4112 7969 4118 7967
4120 7967 4122 7965 4125 7965 4126 7963
4118 7897
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 283DEG 42KT 4116 7959The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:14 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported a 60 foot tree down along Kelly Estate Road.
A NWS Storm Survey found a brief EF0 tornado occurred east of Evans City. Damage was limited to broken large hardwood trees, shingles removed from several outbuildings, and a natural gas well pad blown onto a fence. The tornado was on the ground for nearly 2 miles, with a maximum width of 350 yards. The estimated maximum winds were near 80 MPH.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Pennsylvania, 2016Warnings 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: 648013, 648012.