West Virginia, 2016

Tornado and Damaging Winds in West Virginia, June 16, 2016

June 16, 2016 · NWS PBZ · 9 events in 4 counties and zones

Severe Thunderstorms developed as a cold front moved east under deepening low pressure moving into the Great Lakes the afternoon and evening of the 16th. Wind damage was reported over eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia, as well as an EF0 tornado in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and another EF0 in Monongalia county, West Virginia.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$68,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
9

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 PBZ wrote it up.

Severe Thunderstorms developed as a cold front moved east under deepening low pressure moving into the Great Lakes the afternoon and evening of the 16th. Wind damage was reported over eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia, as well as an EF0 tornado in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and another EF0 in Monongalia county, West Virginia. As the cold front laid out across the region in the evening, training thunderstorms produced flash flooding and flooding in some areas, with Uniontown in Fayette county, Pennsylvania being hardest hit by Red Stone creek coming out of it's banks.

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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 16, 3:05 PM EST, 44 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 16, 3:05 PM EST, 44 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
405 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

.SYNOPSIS...
Crossing low pressure will bring showers and thunderstorms to the
Upper Ohio Valley Region today.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
...Heavy Rain Threat Increasing This Evening...

While a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect, we will
likely quickly be transitioning into a flash flood threat
environment over the next few hours. Available instability will
remain sufficient, and given mesoanalysis trends suggesting
the instability ridge is expanding into western Pennsylvania
concurrent to model shear profiles weakening drastically as the
upper low transitions southeastward, it would seem the movement of
additional storm cells will become progressively slower through
the evening. Combining this with the preferred corridor for
ascent likely falling in a NW-SE oriented deformation zone that
will be dropping across the urban area this evening with tall and
skinny CAPE remaining through the night with a near-zero shear
environment throughout the evening and into the overnight, the
threat is very real for heavy rainfall in successive rounds. When
you combine this with the fact that flash flood guidance values
are only around 0.60 inches in an hour over portions of the metro
Pittsburgh area, flash flooding is a very real threat. Thus, a
flash flood watch has been issued for most of the area from
generally the northern panhandle of WV eastward. Fries

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Building high pressure will improve conditions rapidly behind the
exiting low. Expect Friday and Saturday temperatures near the
average with more comfortable humidity levels as per lower dewpoints.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
That high is progged to maintain dry and seasonal weather into
early next week. Northeast flow in the boundary layer may
initially limit temperatures to near, or a few degrees above the
averages, but rising heights aloft are signaling a rapid
moderation with temperatures for the period expected about 5 to
10 degrees above the near 80 average.

As mid week approaches, the models indicate frontal encroachment,
with passage currently slated for Tuesday. Rain chances have been
increased, and the temperature prognosis eased for that
eventually.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Rounds of thunderstorms are expected over the next 9-12 hours as
low pressure approaches and crosses in an unstable atmosphere.
Tried to give 2 hour TEMPO windows in TAFs to time best threat,
but expect IFR or even LIFR impacts from storms are possible at
any time into this evening. Strong wind gusts are likely and will
attempt to amend with details as the threat develops. Activity
will begin to die down after 06Z, although low clouds and fog of
at least MVFR intensity are expected overnight until past sunrise
on Friday. VFR conditions are expected to be reestablished by
midday.

.OUTLOOK /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
VFR conditions are expected through the weekend.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning FOR MDZ001.
OH...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning FOR OHZ040-041-049-
     050-059.
PA...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning FOR PAZ007>009-
     013>016-020>023-029-031-073>076.
WV...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning FOR WVZ001>004-021-
     509>514.

&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 16, 2:56 PM EST, 53 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
356 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

MDZ001-OHZ040-041-049-050-059-PAZ007-013-014-020>023-029-031-073>076-
WVZ001>004-021-509>514-172000-
GARRETT-CARROLL-COLUMBIANA-HARRISON-JEFFERSON-BELMONT-MERCER-
LAWRENCE-BUTLER-BEAVER-ALLEGHENY-ARMSTRONG-INDIANA-WASHINGTON-GREENE-
WESTMORELAND-WESTMORELAND RIDGES-FAYETTE-FAYETTE RIDGES-HANCOCK-
BROOKE-OHIO-MARSHALL-MARION-MONONGALIA-
RIDGES OF EASTERN MONONGALIA AND NORTHWESTERN PRESTON-PRESTON-
EASTERN PRESTON-WESTERN TUCKER-EASTERN TUCKER-
356 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 261 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN MARYLAND...EAST
CENTRAL OHIO...NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...SOUTHWEST
PENNSYLVANIA...WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND NORTHERN PANHANDLE OF
WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

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

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

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

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

OHZ039-048-057-058-068-069-WVZ012-172000-
TUSCARAWAS-COSHOCTON-MUSKINGUM-GUERNSEY-NOBLE-MONROE-WETZEL-
356 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 261 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND
NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

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

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

.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.

PAZ008-009-015-016-172000-
VENANGO-FOREST-CLARION-JEFFERSON-
356 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA AND
WEST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

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

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

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

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 16, 11:17 AM EST, 4 hours 32 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
1217 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

MDZ001-WVZ509>513-161700-
GARRETT-EASTERN PRESTON-PRESTON-RIDGES OF EASTERN MONONGALIA AND
NORTHWESTERN PRESTON-MONONGALIA-WESTERN TUCKER-
1217 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN GARRETT...
NORTH CENTRAL TUCKER...PRESTON AND SOUTHEASTERN MONONGALIA
COUNTIES...

AT 1217 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 10 MILES NORTH OF KINGWOOD TO NEAR
MORGANTOWN. MOVEMENT WAS SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
KINGWOOD...MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK...OAKLAND...TERRA ALTA...ROWLESBURG...
BAYARD...LOCH LYNN HEIGHTS...DEER PARK...NEWBURG...BROOKHAVEN...
REEDSVILLE...MASONTOWN...ALBRIGHT...TUNNELTON...HANNAHSVILLE...
CATHEDRAL STATE PARK...GORMAN...ISRAEL...SILVER LAKE AND HUTTON.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
  INTERSTATE 68 IN WEST VIRGINIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 1 AND 2...NEAR
  MILE MARKER 23...AND BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 25 AND 27.

  INTERSTATE 79 IN WEST VIRGINIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 143 AND 149.

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 3938 7990 3943 7989 3949 8001 3956 8010
      3967 7958 3942 7913 3941 7914 3942 7916
      3939 7916 3940 7918 3936 7922 3936 7926
      3934 7925 3930 7929 3930 7933 3920 7947
      3920 7949 3922 7951 3915 7960
TIME...MOT...LOC 1617Z 309DEG 26KT 3962 7961 3954 7997

TAX
Local storm report, Jun 16, 11:25 AM EST, 4 hours 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
1225 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

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

0912 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N NEW LEBANON         41.45N 80.07W
06/16/2016                   MERCER             PA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            TREES BLOCKING ROADWAY ALONG RTE 173 BETWEEN
            NEW LEBANON AND SUNOL ROAD IN FRENCH CREEK
            TWP.

&&

JD
Special weather statement, Jun 16, 11:42 AM EST, 4 hours 7 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
1242 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

PAZ014-020-021-161715-
BUTLER-ALLEGHENY-BEAVER-
1242 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL BEAVER...
SOUTHWESTERN BUTLER AND NORTH CENTRAL ALLEGHENY COUNTIES...

AT 1242 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR ECONOMY...OR
NEAR MONACA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

NICKEL SIZE HAIL IS POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
MCCANDLESS TOWNSHIP...CRANBERRY...FRANKLIN PARK...MONACA...
HAMPTON TOWNSHIP...ECONOMY...WEXFORD...BADEN...SEVEN FIELDS...
GIBSONIA...MARS...CONWAY...FREEDOM...BRADFORDWOODS...
EAST ROCHESTER...VALENCIA...CALLERY...PINE TOWNSHIP AND WARRENDALE.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
  PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 21 AND 40.

  INTERSTATE 79 IN PENNSYLVANIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 74 AND 82.

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.

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 4066 8027 4075 8027 4075 7991 4057 7992
TIME...MOT...LOC 1642Z 278DEG 22KT 4069 8020

TAX
Local storm report, Jun 16, 11:44 AM EST, 4 hours 5 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
1244 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

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

0904 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SW GREENVILLE EAST    41.39N 80.37W
06/16/2016                   MERCER             PA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE AND UTILITY POLE DOWN ON MERCER ROAD.

&&

JD
Special weather statement, Jun 16, 12:02 PM EST, 3 hours 47 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
102 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

PAZ014-021-022-073-161745-
WESTMORELAND-BUTLER-ALLEGHENY-ARMSTRONG-
102 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN
ARMSTRONG...SOUTHEASTERN BUTLER...NORTHEASTERN ALLEGHENY AND
NORTHWESTERN WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...

AT 101 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM EVANS CITY TO GIBSONIA TO SHARPSBURG.
MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 35 MPH.

WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND NICKEL SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PITTSBURGH...PENN HILLS...VANDERGRIFT...KITTANNING...APOLLO...
SHALER TOWNSHIP...PLUM...MURRYSVILLE...HAMPTON TOWNSHIP...
NEW KENSINGTON...LOWER BURRELL...HARRISON TOWNSHIP...
O'HARA TOWNSHIP...OAKMONT...FOX CHAPEL...ARNOLD...TARENTUM...
NATRONA HEIGHTS...MILLVALE AND ETNA.

THIS INCLUDES  PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 36 AND 54.

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.

THESE STORMS 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 4047 7997 4062 7999 4076 8007 4091 7959
      4069 7943 4055 7943 4052 7946 4048 7945
      4049 7944 4049 7943 4047 7943
TIME...MOT...LOC 1701Z 259DEG 29KT 4076 8003 4063 7995 4049 7994

TAX
Local storm report, Jun 16, 2:22 PM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
322 PM EDT THU JUN 16 2016

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

0255 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 NNW WELLSVILLE        40.67N  80.69W
06/16/2016                   COLUMBIANA         OH   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN ON OSBOURNE RD

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1601595

XX

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:51 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Monongalia

When
June 16, 3:49 PM EST to 3:50 PM EST
Where
Monongalia County, 1.4 mi S of Cassville to 1.41 mi S of Cassville
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.16 mi
Path width
350 yd
Property damage
$7,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
39.650, -80.072

A NWS storm survey found a brief EF0 tornado occurred from Sierra Farm Road to Gallus Road. Several large trees were downed and uprooted, with shingles stripped and some windows blown out of a home. The tornado was on the ground for less than one quarter mile, and had a maximum path width of 350 yards. Maximum wind speed was estimated at 80 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monongalia

When
June 16, 3:50 PM EST
Where
Monongalia County, 1.53 mi SE of Pedlar
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
39.657, -80.097

Emergency management reported Trees, poles and wires down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monongalia

When
June 16, 4:00 PM EST
Where
Monongalia County, 1.27 mi WSW of Fieldcrest
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.640, -79.950

A trained spotter reported several trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monongalia

When
June 16, 4:00 PM EST
Where
Monongalia County, 0.87 mi SE of Bertha Hill
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.660, -79.990

A trained spotter reported trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monongalia

When
June 16, 4:03 PM EST
Where
Monongalia County, 0.53 mi E of Star City
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by
River/Stream Gage
Coordinates
39.650, -79.960

Wind gust reported at Weather-bug Station at Mountaineer Field.

Thunderstorm Wind, Marion

When
June 16, 4:06 PM EST
Where
Marion County, Barrackville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.500, -80.170

A trained spotter reported uprooted trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Preston

When
June 16, 4:10 PM EST
Where
Preston County, 0.63 mi NNE of Reedsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
39.509, -79.797

Law enforcement reported trees down in and south of Masontown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tucker

When
June 16, 5:00 PM EST
Where
Tucker County, 0.69 mi N of Porterwood
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
39.090, -79.680

Law enforcement reported trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tucker

When
June 16, 5:15 PM EST
Where
Tucker County, Thomas
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
39.150, -79.500

Law enforcement reported trees down.

What these are

Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in West Virginia in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for West Virginia, 2016Warnings in West Virginia, June 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: 641067, 641073, 641074, 641075, 641081, 641076, 641077, 641078, 641079.