A series of strong to severe thunderstorms moved through southwestern Pennsylvania during the afternoon of June 16, 2016. One brief tornado was spawned in far southwest Fulton County.
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 series of strong to severe thunderstorms moved through southwestern Pennsylvania during the afternoon of June 16, 2016. One brief tornado was spawned in far southwest Fulton County. Hail up to baseball size fell in southeastern Bedford 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 State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 16, 7:03 AM EST, 3 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 803 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 .SYNOPSIS... The risk for severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall remains focused over southwest and south-central Pennsylvania this afternoon into early tonight. Weather conditions will improve from north to south on Friday. A dry and increasingly warmer pattern is expected through Father's Day weekend and into early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Showers/thunderstorms moving thru the Lower Susq Valley at 11z should weaken and push east of the area by 13z-14z with passage of lead shortwave. HRRR indicates a low point in shower activity 13-16z which coincides with climatologically favored convective minimum timing. However, a stronger upstream shortwave will track southeast from lower MI across WV into VA along frontal boundary extending off the Mid Atlantic coast. Moderate instability and anomalous deep layer moisture ahead of this feature will fuel organizing convection and support increased risk for severe storms and heavy/excessive rainfall across southwest and south-central PA between 18z Thu to 06z Fri. Thunderstorms are expected to initiate near or downwind of Lake Erie around midday and intensify/organize into a linear convective system as they move southeast along axis of 1500-2000+ J/kg MLCAPE extending from southwest PA into northern VA. The primary thunderstorm hazard will be damaging wind gusts given fcst linear convective mode, unidirectional wind profiles and considerable DCAPE. The most likely period for severe storms is roughly 18z Thu to 00z Fri with instability waning thereafter. The focus will likely shift toward potential heavy to excessive rain event after 17/00z, as low level inflow backs to the southeast and taps reservoir of 1.75-2.00 inch PWs residing over the southern Mid Atlantic region. Slowing storm motions and backbuilding becomes more likely in this scenario, increasing the risk for flash flooding. There is a consistent, multi-model signal for locally heavy amounts from the Laurel Highlands and South- Central Alleghenies down into the WV/MD panhandles. The 16/00z NCAR HIRES ensemble neighborhood probs show a 'likelihood' of localized 3+ inch amounts while mean QPF from the SSEO is in the 2-4 inch range. Final QPF was constructed using a blend of WPC and available HIRES guidance which paints broad area of 1-2 inches over the aforementioned area. However, given the availability of high moisture content air feel that the higher amounts in the CAM guidance is plausible. Will highlight the duel severe/flash flood risks in the HWO. A flash flood watch may be needed at shorter ranges and will allow the next shift to asses the situation as it unfolds. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Friday may dawn cloudy and damp with lingering easterly flow and a few -shra over the southern counties assoc with departing sfc low. However, all mdl data indicating breaking clouds and nr seasonal temps later in the day, as high pres builds se from the Grt Lks. Ens mean 8h temps btwn 12-14c should translate to max temps in the u70s to arnd 80F. Anomalous upper lvl ridge to our west will begin building into the region this weekend. Lg scale subsidence assoc with this feature should ensure mainly sunny skies,light wind and seasonable temps Sat. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Medium range model and ensemble guidance continues to show anomalous upper ridge over the northeast conus into early next week, which should bring fair weather with increasing warmth. The next risk for rain returns by Monday night/Tuesday, as a cold front sinks southward from the Lower Lakes. Based on latest NAEFS and ECENS a turn toward cooler wx appears likely by Wed, as upper lvl trof swings thru the Grt Lks and northeast states. However, too far out to tell if sfc cold front will completely clear the area, so will maintain chc of showers in the Wed fcst. && .AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Low MVFR to LIFR conditions early this morning in fog and low cigs should transition to 5-6SM haze and eventually improve to VFR by the afternoon. Scattered showers/tstms over the far southeast airspace will push east by 15z. Additional convection is expected to ramp up again this afternoon/evening across the southwest 1/4 to 1/3 of the airspace with strong to locally svr wind gusts and heavy rainfall possible. A period of reduced conditions is likely late tonight into Friday morning as rain shifts south of the PA/MD line by midday Friday. OUTLOOK... Fri...Morning low cigs/shra possible southern PA. Then VFR. Sat...No sig wx expected. Sun...No sig wx expected. Mon...No sig wx expected. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Fitzgerald/Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Fitzgerald LONG TERM...Fitzgerald AVIATION...Steinbugl
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 601 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 PAZ006-037-041-042-046-051>053-058-171015- POTTER-TIOGA-NORTHERN LYCOMING-SULLIVAN-SOUTHERN LYCOMING-MONTOUR- NORTHUMBERLAND-COLUMBIA-SCHUYLKILL- 601 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. GET GRAPHICS AND MORE DETAILS AT WEATHER.GOV/STATECOLLEGE...AND FOLLOW OUR WEATHER OFFICE ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. PAZ024>026-033>036-171015- CAMBRIA-BLAIR-HUNTINGDON-SOMERSET-BEDFORD-FULTON-FRANKLIN- 601 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH AN ENHANCED WIND DAMAGE THREAT ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. HAIL UP TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER AND A COUPLE OF TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. HEAVY TO LOCALLY EXCESSIVE RAINFALL MAY PRODUCE ISOLATED FLASH FLOODING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. 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. PAZ004-005-010>012-017>019-027-028-045-049-050-056-057-059-063>066- 171015- WARREN-MCKEAN-ELK-CAMERON-NORTHERN CLINTON-CLEARFIELD- NORTHERN CENTRE-SOUTHERN CENTRE-MIFFLIN-JUNIATA-SOUTHERN CLINTON- UNION-SNYDER-PERRY-DAUPHIN-LEBANON-CUMBERLAND-ADAMS-YORK-LANCASTER- 601 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. ISOLATED STRONG TO POTENTIALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME STORMS MAY PRODUCE 40 TO 60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND HAIL UP TO ONE INCH IN DIAMETER. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS ALSO POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. 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.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA 1026 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 PAZ004-005-161500- MCKEAN PA-WARREN PA- 1026 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF MCKEAN AND WARREN COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 AM EDT... AT 1025 AM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR GRAND VALLEY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. TORRENTIAL RAIN IS EXPECTED. WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... KANE...BRADFORD...WARREN...KINZUA DAM...LUDLOW...LOTTSVILLE... YOUNGSVILLE...COLUMBUS...CHAPMAN STATE PARK...WESTLINE... WARREN SOUTH...WETMORE...SHEFFIELD...MARSHBURG...CYCLONE... SPRING CREEK...GARLAND...GRAND VALLEY...RUSSELL AND SCANDIA. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS AND AVAILABLE TELEVISION STATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. && LAT...LON 4200 7852 4163 7866 4163 7961 4200 7960 TIME...MOT...LOC 1425Z 239DEG 39KT 4164 7935 CERU
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
1048 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016
PAZ004-005-010-017-161530-
MCKEAN PA-CLEARFIELD PA-WARREN PA-ELK PA-
1048 AM EDT THU JUN 16 2016
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF ELK...CLEARFIELD...
MCKEAN...AND WARREN COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 AM EDT...
AT 1047 AM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A
LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR MARIENVILLE TO 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
PUNXSUTAWNEY. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 30 MPH.
VERY HEAVY RAIN IS EXPECTED.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE.
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
JAMES CITY AROUND 1125 AM EDT.
WILCOX AROUND 1130 AM EDT.
OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THESE STORMS INCLUDE LUMBER CITY...
GRAMPIAN...TROUTVILLE...WEEDVILLE AND MAHAFFEY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS...AND MAY
LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH
FLOODED ROADWAYS.
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 4165 7926 4164 7842 4083 7839 4085 7880
4113 7880 4120 7877 4120 7871 4123 7871
4123 7874 4127 7874 4137 7897 4135 7902
4135 7910 4142 7909 4143 7906 4145 7906
4145 7898 4144 7896 4162 7896 4163 7926
TIME...MOT...LOC 1447Z 263DEG 24KT 4159 7917 4088 7916
CERUThe State College radar (KCCX), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:16 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph brought trees down on Patchin Highway and Sylvis Road.
Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph brought tress and wires down on Knarr Street.
Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph brought trees down on wires in Reade Township.
Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph brought trees down in the town of Indian Lake.
A severe thunderstorm produced half-dollar size hail in Bard.
A severe thunderstorm produced a microburst that began approximately one mile north of Bard in Bedford County. Winds appeared to funnel to the south-southwest along the valley and parallel to Route 96. Wind damage included sporadic uprooted trees and numerous trees with large limbs snapped off. One home had a portion of a metal roof ripped off, while a second home had a partial porch collapse. A small portion of a barn roof was peeled back as well.
Hail up to the size of baseballs was reported near Inglesmith. extensive leaf damage was noted, and snow plows were out clearing leaves from the roads. A car windshield was broken from the hail, as well as several windows on homes and barns.
Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph brought trees down on Barnes Road and Silver Mills Road.
Thunderstorm winds estimated near 60 mph brought trees down in Meyersdale.
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, June 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: 630228, 630229, 630230, 630231, 631321, 631322, 630227, 630232, 630233.