Flash Flooding and Flood in Pennsylvania, February 24 to 25, 2016

Name: Flash Flooding and Flood in Pennsylvania, February 24 to 25, 2016
Start: 2016-02-24T19:42
End: 2016-02-25T03:00
Location: Pennsylvania

February 24 to 25, 2016 · NWS PHI · 15 events in 6 counties and zones

A strong low pressure system moving north through the Great Lakes region, combined with its associated warm front and cold front, copious amounts of moisture, and low level jet, produced strong to severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, flash flooding, and stream flooding in Eastern Pennsylvania late Wednesday afternoon and evening, February 24th, with stream flooding continuing into Thursday,…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $212,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 Feb 24, 7:42 PM EST, 0 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 24, 7:42 PM EST, 0 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
742 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

.SYNOPSIS...
STRONG LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE NORTHEAST TONIGHT FROM OHIO THROUGH
THE LOWER GREAT LAKES...WITH SOUTHERLY WINDS AND MILD RAINY AIR IN
THE WARM SECTOR TO ITS SOUTHEAST. A TRAILING COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP
ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION TONIGHT AND WILL BE WELL OFFSHORE BY
THURSDAY MORNING. THE LOW WILL CONTINUE NORTHEAST THROUGH CANADA ON
THURSDAY AND WINDS BEHIND THE LOW WILL BRING COLDER AIR FOR FRIDAY
AND SATURDAY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL MAINTAIN GENERALLY FAIR WEATHER
FROM FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH A MODERATING TEMPERATURE TREND
FROM SUNDAY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. A COLD FRONT PASSAGE ON MONDAY
SHOULD BE MOSTLY RAIN FREE BUT RETURN TEMPERATURE TO NEAR NORMAL FOR
THE BEGINNING OF MARCH.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
730 PM UPDATE...EXPANDED THE TORNADO WATCH FURTHER NORTH TO
INCLUDE THE REST OF OUR AREA. LINE IS MOVING INTO THE POCONOS AND
BERKS COUNTY NOW AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROGRESS QUICKLY NORTH
NORTHEAST. STILL EXPECTING THE PRIMARY THREAT TO BE STRONG WINDS,
BUT THERE REMAINS SOME THREAT FOR A FEW TORNADOES.

PREVIOUS NEAR TERM DISCUSSION...THE WARM FRONT PUSHED INLAND AS
FAR AS THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR BY MID AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURES
AHEAD OF THE FRONT WERE MAINLY IN THE 40S WHILE READINGS BEHIND
THE BOUNDARY WERE MOSTLY IN THE UPPER 50S AND LOWER 60S. THE FRONT
IS EXPECTED TO LIFT NORTHWARD ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF NEW JERSEY
AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH THIS EVENING.

A STRONG LOW LEVEL SOUTHERLY JET EXTENDED FROM THE WATERS OFF THE
SOUTHEAST COAST UP OVER OUR REGION AT 330 PM. THE CORE OF THE LOW
LEVEL JET IS FORECAST TO STRENGTHEN TO AROUND 70 KNOTS THIS EVENING
AS IT BECOMES LOCATED OFF OUR COAST. THE CORE OF THE LOW LEVEL JET
IS THEN EXPECTED TO LIFT TO OUR NORTHEAST OVERNIGHT.

LOW PRESSURE THAT WAS LOCATED OVER OHIO THIS AFTERNOON WILL PROGRESS
NORTHEASTWARD AND IT SHOULD REACH THE MONTREAL VICINITY AROUND
DAYBREAK. THE LOW IS EXPECTED TO PULL A COLD FRONT THROUGH OUR
REGION OVERNIGHT.

A CONVECTIVE LINE AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT EXTENDED FROM
WESTERN VIRGINIA DOWN INTO CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA AROUND 330 PM. THE
LINE IS ANTICIPATED TO LIFT TO THE NORTHEAST AND IT SHOULD AFFECT
OUR FORECAST AREA BETWEEN ABOUT 730 PM AND 1030 PM. BEFORE THAT
TIME, SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO LIFT NORTHWARD THROUGH OUR REGION.
THE CONVECTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE LINE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IN
A LOW TOP, HIGH SHEAR ENVIRONMENT. WHILE LIGHTNING MAY BE LIMITED,
THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED
TORNADOES. THE SOUTHWESTERN HALF OF OUR FORECAST AREA IS UNDER A
TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 1100 PM.

BASED ON THE LATEST GUIDANCE, 24-HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS FOR THE PERIOD
ENDING AT 700 AM THURSDAY SHOULD RANGE FROM ABOUT 0.75 TO 1.50
INCHES FROM THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR NORTHWESTWARD. AMOUNTS ON THE
COASTAL PLAIN ARE ANTICIPATED TO RANGE FROM 0.25 TO 0.75 INCHES. THE
FORECAST AMOUNTS SHOULD RESULT IN SOME POOR DRAINAGE AREA AND
ROADWAY FLOODING ALONG WITH SOME MINOR FLOODING ON A FEW SMALL
STREAMS. THE FLOODING DOES NOT APPEAR AS THOUGH IT WILL BE
WIDESPREAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT A FLOOD WATCH. WE WILL COVER THE
SITUATION WITH AREAL FLOOD ADVISORIES, IF NECESSARY.

TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN MILD UNTIL THE COLD FRONT ARRIVES
OVERNIGHT, THEN READINGS ARE EXPECTED TO FALL BACK INTO THE 40S AT
MOST LOCATIONS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY/...
THE SURFACE LOW IS FORECAST TO MOVE DOWN THE SAINT LAWRENCE RIVER
VALLEY ON THURSDAY. A SURFACE TROUGH IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH OUR
REGION FROM THE NORTHWEST LATE IN THE DAY.

THE STRONG LOW WILL MAINTAIN BRISK CONDITIONS IN OUR REGION. A
SOUTHWEST WIND AROUND 15 TO 20 MPH IS EXPECTED ALONG WITH GUSTS NEAR
30 MPH. THE FLOW IS FORECAST TO PULL ADDITIONAL STRATOCUMULUS
OVERHEAD AND THERE MAY BE SCATTERED SHOWERS, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN
PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY.

TEMPERATURES ARE NOT ANTICIPATED TO RECOVER MUCH ON THURSDAY. HIGHS
SHOULD BE MOSTLY IN THE UPPER 40S AND LOWER 50S.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A LARGE SCALE UPPER TROF WILL BE OVER THE EASTERN US AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE LONG TERM ON FRIDAY. THIS TROF WILL MOVE
OFFSHORE FOR THE WEEKEND AND THE FLOW ALOFT WILL BECOME MORE ZONAL
BY EARLY NEXT WEEK. THERE WILL BE SEVERAL SHRTWV TROFS MOVG
QUICKLY THROUGH THE FLOW BUT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK UP MUCH
MOISTURE SO THE WEATHER SHOULD BE MAINLY DRY.

FOR FRIDAY...THE CURRENT OHIO VLY STORM WILL THEN BE OVER EASTERN
CANADA AND A SECONDARY SURGE OF COLD AIR BEHIND IT WILL MOVE INTO
THE FCST AREA EARLY IN THE DAY. GUSTY NW WINDS WILL ACCOMPANY THIS
SURGE. A FEW SNOW FLURRIES OR SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE POCONOS
BUT OTHERWISE NO PRECIP IS EXPECTED. LOW LEVEL CAA WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH FRI NIGHT.

ON SATURDAY A SFC RIDGE AXIS MOVES OVER THE AREA AND WINDS WILL
DIE DOWN SOME. MAX TEMPS ON SAT WILL BE SIMILAR TO FRIDAY AND
SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL...HOWEVER SOME WAA SHOULD BEGIN LATE IN THE
DAY AS WINDS BACK TO THE SW. SUN IS EXPECTED TO BE MUCH MILDER
THAN SAT WITH 850 HPA TEMPS FORECAST TO 10-15 DEG C ON WLY FLOW.

A FAST MOVING SHRTWV TROF ALOFT AND ASSOCD SFC COLD FRONT ARE
FORECAST TO CROSS THE AREA ON MONDAY. THERE WILL LIKELY NOT BE
MUCH MOISTURE WITH THIS SYSTEM SO THE FCST FOR MONDAY HAS ONLY LOW
CHC POPS NORTH AND SLIGHT CHC SOUTH. IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MUCH
COLDER AIR WILL BE ABLE TO PUSH IN BEHIND THE FRONT WITH ZONAL
FLOW ALOFT...BUT AS OF NOW TEMPS SHOULD REMAIN NEAR OR SLIGHTLY
ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK. SOME PRECIP MAY
DEVELOP AROUND MID WEEK AS ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM BEGINS TO TAKE
SHAPE OVER THE CENTRAL US.

&&

.AVIATION /01Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
A LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE OVER OUR TAF
SITES WITHING THE NEXT 4 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF A COLD FRONT. THE
FRONT SHOULD PASS THROUGH OUR REGION AROUND 0600Z FOLLOWED BY
IMPROVEMENT TO VFR FOR LATE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY.

A GUSTY SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WIND HAD DEVELOPED AT KACY, KMIV, KILG,
KPHL, KPNE AND KTTN BY 2030Z. THE WIND SHIFT IS FORECAST TO REACH
KRDG AND KABE BY 2200Z OR 2300Z. THE WIND SHOULD SETTLE INTO THE
SOUTH FOR THIS EVENING AT SPEEDS OF 12 TO 16 KNOTS WITH GUSTS OF 25
TO 30 KNOTS. THE WIND IS ANTICIPATED TO SHIFT TO THE SOUTHWEST
FOLLOWING THE COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE AROUND 0600Z.

OUTLOOK...

THURSDAY NIGHT ..MAINLY VFR CEILINGS. A FEW SNOW SHOWERS ARE
POSSIBLE WELL NORTH AND WEST OF KPHL. WEST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS

FRIDAY...VFR. NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS.

SATURDAY...VFR. WEST WINDS MOSTLY 10-15 KNOTS.

SUNDAY...VFR. SOUTHWEST WINDS GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS.

MONDAY...MOSTLY VFR. SOUTHWEST WINDS BECOMING NORTHWEST. WIND GUSTS
TO 30 KNOTS.

&&

.MARINE...
WE HAVE UPGRADED DELAWARE BAY TO A GALE WARNING AND IT IS IN
EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT. THE GALE WARNING ON OUR OCEAN WATERS HAS
BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 600 AM THURSDAY.

A 70 KNOT LOW LEVEL SOUTHERLY JET WILL BE OVER OUR COASTAL WATERS
THIS EVENING. WHILE THE WARM AIR OVER THE COLD WATER WILL NOT
PRESENT THE MOST IDEAL SET-UP FOR TRANSFERRING THE WIND GUSTS TO THE
SURFACE, THERE SHOULD BE ENOUGH PRECIPITATION AROUND TO HELP MIX THE
ATMOSPHERE JUST ENOUGH AT TIME. WE MAY NOT ACHIEVE THE TEMPORAL
DEFINITION OF A GALE WARNING EVERYWHERE BUT WE ARE UNABLE TO
FORECAST WITH CONFIDENCE WHICH LOCATIONS WILL BE MOST AFFECTED AND
WHICH WILL NOT. AS A RESULT, IT SEEMED PRUDENT TO INCLUDE ALL AREAS.

WIND GUSTS OF 25 TO 30 KNOTS OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST ARE ANTICIPATED
FOR THURSDAY, SO THE GALE WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE REPLACED BY A
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY WHEN THEY EXPIRE.

OUTLOOK...

THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...WESTERLY WINDS WITH GALE FORCE GUSTS
EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING. THE WINDS AND SEAS DIMINISH FRIDAY
NIGHT, HOWEVER A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY SHOULD BE NEEDED FOR A TIME.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...WEST WINDS ON SATURDAY WILL INCREASE AND
BECOME SOUTHWEST ON SUNDAY. HOWEVER ATTM THEY ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE
BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA. THE SEAS HOWEVER SHOULD BUILD SOME LATER
SUNDAY TO NEAR 5 FEET ON THE ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY...INCREASING SOUTHWEST WIND AND BUILDING
SEAS WITH SCA CONDITIONS EXPECTED.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
PRECIP IS EXPECTED TO PICK UP ONCE AGAIN LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND
PERSIST THROUGH ABOUT MIDNIGHT. PRECIP WILL BE ENDING FROM
SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST ACROSS THE AREA. THE PRECIP THAT WILL
ARRIVE THIS EVENING WITH THE COLD FRONT WILL BE THE HEAVIEST WE'VE
SEEN THE LAST 24 HOURS. LIKE WE'VE SEEN EARLIER THIS MONTH, THERE
WILL BE A CONVECTIVE CONTRIBUTION HELPING TO INCREASE RAIN
AMOUNTS. ON THE OTHER HAND, BECAUSE OF THE CONVECTIVE
CONTRIBUTION, NOT EVERYONE WILL SEE THE SAME AMOUNT OF RAINFALL.

IN TERMS OF ANY FLOODING, AS OF NOW, THE LATEST FORECASTS OUT OF
THE MARFC CALL FOR CAUTION STAGE AT PEMBERTON ON THE NORTH BRANCH
RANCOCAS CREEK, AT BLACKWELLS MILLS ON THE MILLSTONE RIVER, AND AT
PINE BROOK ON THE PASSAIC. CRESTS WILL OCCUR TOMORROW INTO FRIDAY.

IN THE NEAR TERM FOR TONIGHT, THERE'S A MUCH GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF
POOR DRAINAGE AND LOW LYING FLOODING WITH THE EXPECTED HEAVIER
BURSTS OF RAIN. SOME FLOODING IS ALSO LIKELY ALONG SOME OF THE
FASTER RESPONDING RUNS, CREEKS AND STREAMS THAT CAN'T HANDLE A LOT
RUNOFF IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

ACROSS SE PA, WHERE WE SEE THE MOST RECURRING SMALL CREEK AND STREAM
FLOODING IN THE HSA, ANOTHER 0.25 TO 0.75 IS EXPECTED THIS EVENING.
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN, BUT WHAT
LAYER OF THE GROUND IS NOT FROZEN IS SATURATED, MAKING THE RUNOFF
PROCESS EFFICIENT. HENCE THE ENHANCED FLOOD THREAT FOR SMALLER
BODIES OF WATER.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
WE TRANSITIONED TO A SOUTHERLY FLOW OVER OUR COASTAL WATERS THIS
AFTERNOON. AS A RESULT, THERE IS NO THREAT OF COASTAL FLOODING
ALONG THE OCEANFRONT. BEING THAT THE SOUTHEAST FLOW WAS RATHER
LIMITED IN TIME, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE MUCH OF A POTENTIAL
FOR COASTAL FLOODING ON DELAWARE BAY OR ON THE TIDAL DELAWARE
RIVER.

WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE EXPECTED SOUTHERLY FLOW UP CHESAPEAKE BAY
THROUGH THIS EVENING AND INTO THE EARLY PART OF TONIGHT AND ITS
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON THURSDAY MORNING'S HIGH TIDE ON THE UPPER EASTERN
SHORE. THE WIND IS FORECAST TO SHIFT TO THE SOUTHWEST OVERNIGHT AND
IT SHOULD NOT INITIALLY ALLOW THE WATER TO DRAIN VERY WELL. AS A
RESULT, WE WILL ISSUE A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN
MARYLAND FOR THURSDAY MORNING'S HIGH TIDE.

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...NONE.
NJ...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR NJZ013-014-020-
     022>027.
DE...NONE.
MD...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 7 AM TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY FOR
     MDZ008-012.
     COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FROM 4 AM TO 10 AM EST THURSDAY FOR
     MDZ015-019-020.
MARINE...GALE WATCH FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING FOR
     ANZ430-431-450>455.
     GALE WARNING UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY FOR ANZ450>455.
     GALE WARNING UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR ANZ430-431.

&&

SYNOPSIS...AMC
NEAR TERM...IOVINO/JOHNSON
SHORT TERM...IOVINO
LONG TERM...AMC
AVIATION...AMC/IOVINO/JOHNSON
MARINE...AMC/IOVINO
HYDROLOGY...
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 24, 7:33 PM EST, 9 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

DEZ001>004-NJZ001-007>010-012-015>019-021-PAZ054-055-060>062-070-071-
101>106-260045-
NEW CASTLE-KENT-INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-
HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-MERCER-SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-
NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-CUMBERLAND-CARBON-MONROE-BERKS-LEHIGH-
NORTHAMPTON-DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...TORNADO WATCH 28 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL DELAWARE...NORTHERN
DELAWARE...SOUTHERN DELAWARE...CENTRAL NEW JERSEY...NORTHERN NEW
JERSEY...NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY...SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY...EAST CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA AND SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN COULD LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NJZ013-014-020-022>024-026-027-260045-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-EASTERN MONMOUTH-OCEAN-ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY-
ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY-COASTAL OCEAN-SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...
...TORNADO WATCH 28 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.
   WIND ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MDZ008-012-260045-
CECIL-KENT MD-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...TORNADO WATCH 28 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 1 PM EST THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST MARYLAND.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

MDZ015-019-020-260045-
QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...TORNADO WATCH 28 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 AM EST
THURSDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST MARYLAND.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.
   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ452>455-260045-
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-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY...
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ450-451-260045-
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-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST THURSDAY...
...TORNADO WATCH 28 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.
   GALE WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

ANZ430-431-260045-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS NORTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
DELAWARE BAY WATERS SOUTH OF EAST POINT NJ TO SLAUGHTER BEACH DE-
733 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...
...TORNADO WATCH 28 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST THIS EVENING...
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR DELAWARE BAY WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   TORNADO WATCH.
   GALE WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   GALE WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 6:49 PM EST, 53 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
649 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

PAZ060-250045-
BERKS-
649 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT BERKS COUNTY...

AT 648 PM EST...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS OVER
LICKDALE...OR 8 MILES NORTH OF ANNVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.

LAT...LON 4049 7643 4052 7634 4052 7625 4054 7618
      4054 7617 4058 7605 4057 7602 4064 7598
      4065 7589 4044 7555 4026 7570 4016 7588
TIME...MOT...LOC 2348Z 240DEG 49KT 4045 7650

PO

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 6:54 PM EST, 48 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
654 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NJZ010-012-013-015-250030-
SOMERSET-WESTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-MIDDLESEX-
654 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT MERCER...SOUTHWESTERN
MONMOUTH...SOUTHEASTERN SOMERSET...MIDDLESEX...NORTHERN BURLINGTON
AND SOUTHEASTERN BUCKS COUNTIES...

AT 654 PM EST...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS OVER BORDENTOWN...OR 7
MILES SOUTH OF TRENTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 85 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
TRENTON...NEW BRUNSWICK...PERTH AMBOY...SOMERVILLE...SOMERSET...
EDISON...OLD BRIDGE...EAST BRUNSWICK...SOUTH BRUNSWICK...
SAYREVILLE...NORTH BRUNSWICK...EWING...MIDDLESEX...PRINCETON...BOUND
BROOK...MANVILLE...JAMESBURG...HIGHTSTOWN...CRANBURY AND ALLENTOWN.

TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...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 4050 7426 4050 7428 4047 7427 4011 7456
      4014 7459 4019 7470 4015 7472 4022 7477
      4066 7459 4061 7444 4060 7446 4060 7441
      4055 7425
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 204DEG 75KT 4013 7471

AMC

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 7:06 PM EST, 36 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
706 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

MDZ008-012-015-019-020-PAZ101-102-250115-
CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNES-TALBOT-CAROLINE-WESTERN CHESTER-
EASTERN CHESTER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE...
EASTON...DENTON...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...WEST CHESTER...
KENNETT SQUARE
706 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE ACROSS NORTHEAST MARYLAND AND
CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH 800 PM. DOWNPOURS WITH THESE
SHOWERS MAY CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADS...SO DRIVE AT A
REDUCED SPEED. LOCAL WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE.

Local storm report, Feb 24, 7:09 PM EST, 33 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
709 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BRIDGETON               39.43N  75.23W
02/24/2016                   CUMBERLAND         NJ   911 CALL CENTER

            TREES AND WIRES BLOWN DOWN

&&

CORRECTED EVENT TIME

EVENT NUMBER PHI1600701

STAFF

Local storm report, Feb 24, 7:19 PM EST, 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
719 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0620 PM     TSTM WND DMG     VINELAND                39.46N  75.00W
02/24/2016                   CUMBERLAND         NJ   SOCIAL MEDIA

            TREE INTO A PRESCHOOL ON STEWART STREET... WIRES DOWN
            ON MAYS LANDING AND PANTHER ROAD.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PHI1600702

STAFF

Local storm report, Feb 24, 7:20 PM EST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
720 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0544 PM     TSTM WND GST     SUSSEX COUNTY AIRPORT   38.69N  75.36W
02/24/2016  M59 MPH          SUSSEX             DE   ASOS

0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BRIDGETON               39.43N  75.23W
02/24/2016                   CUMBERLAND         NJ   911 CALL CENTER

            TREES AND WIRES BLOWN DOWN

0620 PM     TSTM WND DMG     VINELAND                39.46N  75.00W
02/24/2016                   CUMBERLAND         NJ   SOCIAL MEDIA

            TREE INTO A PRESCHOOL ON STEWART STREET... WIRES DOWN
            ON MAYS LANDING AND PANTHER ROAD.

&&

EVENT NUMBER PHI1600700 PHI1600701 PHI1600702

STAFF

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:41 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 strong wind, 4 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 1 heavy rain, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When: February 24, 7:42 PM EST
Where: Chester County, Conestoga
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.130, -75.830

A 63 MPH thunderstorm wind gust was measured near Elverson.

Strong Wind, Berks

When: February 24, 7:47 PM EST
Where: Berks forecast zone
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.416, -75.926 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 52 MPH thunderstorm wind gust was measured at Reading Regional Airport.

Strong Wind, Eastern Montgomery

When: February 24, 8:15 PM EST
Where: Eastern Montgomery forecast zone
Measured: 42 kt (48 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 40.211, -75.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees down in West Norriton.

Heavy Rain, Montgomery

When: February 24, 8:50 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, 0.53 mi E of Gilbertsville
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.320, -75.610

Torrential downpours with thunderstorms produced a measured 2.06 inches of rain in Gilbertsville.Many roads were flooded in Abington Twp. Four people were trapped in a car in Pottstown at the intersection of High and Manatawny streets.

Strong Wind, Northampton

When: February 24, 9:00 PM EST
Where: Northampton forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 40.754, -75.307 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Part of a building collapsed at 323 Northhampton Street in Easton. This building was already partly deconstructed and did not meet local safety rules.

Flash Flood, Berks

When: February 24, 9:30 PM EST to February 25, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Berks County, 0.69 mi S of Mertztown to 0.91 mi ESE of Mertztown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 40.510, -75.670

Three Feet of water covered parts of State Street in Mertztown. Water Rescues were necessary.

Flood, Chester

When: February 24, 9:30 PM EST to February 25, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Chester County, 1.18 mi ESE of Wawaset to 0.33 mi ENE of Wawaset
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.922, -75.650

Video of Brandywine flooding near route 842 in West Chester.

Thunderstorm Wind, Philadelphia

When: February 24, 9:32 PM EST
Where: Philadelphia County, 0.87 mi NE of Overbrook
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.990, -75.240

A thunderstorm wind gust knocked a tree onto a house on north Wanamaker Street near Woodcrest Avenue.

Strong Wind, Philadelphia

When: February 24, 9:34 PM EST
Where: Philadelphia forecast zone
Measured: 41 kt (47 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.008, -75.134 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A thunderstorm wind gust of 47 MPH was measured at Philadelphia International Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Philadelphia

When: February 24, 9:34 PM EST
Where: Philadelphia County, 0.45 mi NNW of Crescentville
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 40.036, -75.102

A sign was knocked over at a Burger King on Rising Sun Ave and Van Kirk Street.

Flash Flood, Northampton

When: February 24, 9:40 PM EST to February 25, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Northampton County, 0.4 mi S of Brodhead to 0.7 mi ENE of Shoenersville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.674, -75.329

Major flooding was reported on several roadways in and near downtown Bethlehem. The southbound side of Pennsylvania Route 378 was closed between 3rd Avenue and 8th Avenue. Vehicles were stranded on Route 378. A basement was flooded on the 1600 Broadway along with water rescues at 33rd and Lehigh streets. Motorists were also stranded due to flood waters in Lower Macungie twp and in Allentown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: February 24, 9:45 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, 0.87 mi SE of Cheltenham
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 40.060, -75.090

A thunderstorm wind gust toppled a large tree onto the roof of a home along the 8200 block of New 2nd Street in Cheltenham.

Flash Flood, Northampton

When: February 24, 9:45 PM EST to February 25, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Northampton County, 1.44 mi WNW of Stockertown to 0.5 mi NE of Bath Jct
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.757, -75.276

Water rose quickly from heavy rain and flowed over several roadways in Bushkill Township.

Flash Flood, Philadelphia

When: February 24, 10:40 PM EST to February 25, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Philadelphia County, 9.73 mi E of Torresdale to 5.21 mi SE of (Phl)philadelphia in
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: River/Stream Gage
Coordinates: 40.036, -74.817

The Frankford Creek reached its flood stage of 7 feet at 2240EST. The Pennypack Creek reached its flood stage of 7 feet at 2320EST. Numerous roadways were reported flooded from urban runoff. Interstate 76 was closed between Girard and Montgomery drive exits along with part of Lincoln Drive. Numerous reports were sent into Philadelphia police for water rescue requests. Lincoln Drive in Fairmount Park was also closed due to flooding.

Strong Wind, Philadelphia

When: February 24, 10:54 PM EST
Where: Philadelphia forecast zone
Measured: 41 kt (47 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.008, -75.134 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A thunderstorm wind gust of 47 MPH was measured at Northeast Philadelphia Airport.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Pennsylvania, February 2016

Sources

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: 612945, 612946, 612948, 612949, 614762, 613084, 613086, 613056, 613057, 613085, 613078, 613058, 613079, 613080, 613059.