An approaching cold front traversed central Pennsylvania during the late afternoon and evening hours of August 19, 2017, generating a line of showers and storms that produced occasional wind damage along it's path.
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.
An approaching cold front traversed central Pennsylvania during the late afternoon and evening hours of August 19, 2017, generating a line of showers and storms that produced occasional wind damage along it's path.
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 19, 1:43 PM EST, 2 hours 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 243 PM EDT Sat Aug 19 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are likely to spread east across the Alleghenies into the central ridge and valley region during the mid afternoon and early evening before dissipating later tonight. Fair weather is expected Sunday and Monday, with temperatures turning warmer and more humid into early next week. Thunderstorms are probable on Tuesday followed by a refreshingly cooler and mainly dry second half of the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... *Severe Thunderstorm watch #457 until 9pm for portions of southwestern and south-central PA. Risk for severe thunderstorms has increased throughout the day with SPC upgrading a portion of the area to SLGT risk. Large- scale NWP and CAM model guidance continue to exhibit considerable agreement indicating storms currently over east-central Ohio will spread into southwestern and south-central Pennsylvania during the late afternoon and early evening. Recent MCD highlights the evolving severe risk with cold air aloft and steep lapse rates promoting hail and locally damaging wind gusts - especially if storms can organize into short line segments. The most likely timing for storms is btwn 4 and 8pm. Expect convection to diminish in intensity/coverage as it pushes into east-central PA/Susquehanna Valley region during the late evening. Dry wx expected after midnight as high pressure builds over the area. Models are showing low stratus potential over the Alleghenies with weak upslope flow and low level moisture trapped under subsidence inversion. Patchy fog is also likely in the usual spots across the central valleys. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Fair weather expected to end the weekend with seasonal temperatures. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... The medium range models are all in good agreement on bringing a renewed surge of heat and humidity into the area to start the new work week. Highs Monday and Tuesday will be well up into the 80s with some southern locations possibly touching 90 Tuesday. There's decent agreement in having a vigorous cold front pass through the region Tuesday night into early Wednesday. That will be the best chance for organized precipitation coming up next week with widespread showers and thunderstorms likely starting late Tuesday, lasting into the overnight before tapering off as scattered showers Wednesday. The remainder of the week into the weekend looks to be cool and mainly dry as a sprawling high moves slowly eastward out of southern Canada. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Local thunderstorm impacts are possible between 20-04Z with the most favorable area over the southwest and s-central airspace prior to 00Z. Clearing skies fcst tonight with models suggesting potential for IFR stratus/fog mainly over the western 1/2 of the airspace. Early morning restrictions will improve to VFR by 14Z. .OUTLOOK... Sun-Mon...Mainly VFR, but restrictions in morning fog. Tue...Thunderstorm impacts likely. Wed...Improving conditions. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Steinbugl LONG TERM...La Corte AVIATION...Steinbugl
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service State College PA 248 PM EDT Sat Aug 19 2017 PAZ004>006-037-042-051>053-057>059-064>066-201900- Warren-McKean-Potter-Tioga-Sullivan-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia- Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Adams-York-Lancaster- 248 PM EDT Sat Aug 19 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail are possible during the mid to late afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Severe thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ010>012-017>019-024>028-033>036-041-045-046-049-050-056-063- 201900- Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-Northern Centre- Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Somerset- Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Northern Lycoming-Southern Clinton- Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Perry-Cumberland- 248 PM EDT Sat Aug 19 2017 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 457 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Severe thunderstorms are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
443 PM EDT SAT AUG 19 2017
PAZ017>019-024>026-192200-
Northern Centre PA-Clearfield PA-Blair PA-Cambria PA-Huntingdon PA-
Southern Centre PA-
443 PM EDT SAT AUG 19 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE EAST AND AFFECT PARTS OF
CLEARFIELD... HUNTINGDON...CENTRE...BLAIR...AND CAMBRIA COUNTIES
BETWEEN 500 PM AND 600 PM EDT...
At 439 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Rockton to 8 miles north of Indiana to near
Delmont to Whitehall. Movement was east at 45 mph.
Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Belmont, Johnstown, DuBois, State College, Westmont, Portage,
Clearfield, Hollidaysburg, Bellefonte, Nanty-Glo, Altoona, Ebensburg,
Tyrone, Windber, Salix-Beauty Line Park, Pine Grove Mills, Bellwood,
Spruce Creek, Ski Gap and Pine Glen.
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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in State College PA.
&&
LAT...LON 4048 7892 4072 7880 4115 7880 4119 7877
4114 7801 4116 7800 4116 7779 4111 7775
4104 7757 4099 7753 4087 7761 4032 7844
4029 7852 4033 7862 4024 7866 4024 7886
4028 7893 4029 7905
TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 270DEG 47KT 4110 7861 4074 7917 4045 7958 4036
7997
LambertThe State College radar (KCCX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:12 UTC.
50 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires at the intersection of East Main Street and Willow Street in Mahaffey.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires at Cross Roads Boulevard and Heverly Boulevard east of Coalport.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on Covedale Road near Williamsburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph snapped and uprooted trees on Hudson Avenue in Altoona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees southeast of Tipton.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto a vehicle near the corner of Laura Street and Alton Street in Chester Hill.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph snapped and uprooted trees along Juniata Gap Road west of Altoona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph damaged roofs on the 1200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in Tyrone.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a large circus tent at the Richland Community Day Festival in Richland Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph snapped trees near the intersection of Walnut Street and Roosevelt Street in Roaring Spring.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on Pine Hollow Road near Claysburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a barb that was built in 1870.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Somerset.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Davidsville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires on Anaconda Drive in Ferguson Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down live wires across Beaver Valley Road near Prince Gallitzin State Park.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down live wires across Whitehall Road in Ferguson Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees onto Pine Grove Mountain Road, closing the road above Pine Grove Mills.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees in Burnham.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees, poles, and wires across School House Hollow Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees in Lewistown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Clearville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees near Mifflintown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down numerous trees near McAlisterville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across Route 522, blocking one lane.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on Landisburg Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires across a roadway west of Freesburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree and wires on Snydertown Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees northwest of Pillow.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto Market Street in Sunbury.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across Ridge Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees on Water Street in Selinsgrove.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds measured at 63 mph knocked down trees and pulled shingles off of roofs near Grantville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several trees along Route 15 in the Dillsburg area.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across a road south of Elysburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree and wires onto Hookies Grove Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto Center Street in Frailey Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Pine Grove.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto Mount Gretna Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto Main Street in Gilberton.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Lebanon.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree at the intersection of Toby Run Road and Clinic Road near Danville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto the 3500 block of Ridge Road near Bloomsburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Butler Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree and wires at the intersection of East New Street and North Duke Street in Lancaster.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto Fair Road south of Schuylkill Haven.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto Route 54 just outside of Mahanoy City.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Hometown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees across Tuscarora Park Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto Hawk Mountain Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, August 2017
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: 712580, 712581, 712582, 712583, 712584, 712585, 712586, 712587, 712588, 712589, 712590, 712591, 712592, 712593, 712594, 712595, 712596, 712597, 712598, 712920, 712921, 712922, 712923, 712924, 712925, 712926, 712927, 712928, 712929, 712930, 712931, 712932, 712939, 712935, 712936, 712937, 713039, 713040, 713042, 713043, and more.