A cold front crossed the Mid-Atlantic area during the evening hours of February 12th, with a line of low-topped showers and thunderstorms developing along the front. This line was able to mix down strong winds from just off the surface, and produced a swath of 60 mph winds that knocked down trees and power lines from the Laurel Highlands eastward across the south-central mountains.
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 cold front crossed the Mid-Atlantic area during the evening hours of February 12th, with a line of low-topped showers and thunderstorms developing along the front. This line was able to mix down strong winds from just off the surface, and produced a swath of 60 mph winds that knocked down trees and power lines from the Laurel Highlands eastward across the south-central mountains.
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 Feb 12, 8:22 PM EST, 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 822 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A potent storm system with multiple facets and threats will move through the region late today through Monday. High pressure will return with fair and mild conditions for Tuesday with much lighter wind. Another potent upper level disturbance and surface cold front will move southeast from the Upper Great Lakes and bring the cold air back to the state for Wednesday through Friday. Abnormally warm air looks like it returns for next weekend. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... A line of low topped thunderstorms has formed over SWRN Pa and has been associated with sporadic wind damage. The main surface low is now south of New England and deepening rapidly. Cold air is now pouring into the local area and the line of convection is associated with a weak secondary trof in the colder airmass. Surface winds not associated with the gusty thunderstorms will be on the increase as the gradient tightens and a strong isallobaric pressure rise slides across the region. Bufkit soundings support frequent gusts developing on the 35-50 mph range over the next several hours and continue into Monday. The QPF for the rest of today from some bands of fast moving showers will be less than one tenth of an inch, and the combination with limited additional snowmelt/runoff will not be enough to cause any flooding problems. As the colder air pours into the region and we develop a deep NW flow over the Gr Lakes, lake and orographically enhanced snow showers will be on the increase into NWRN Pa and the Laurel Highlands. Snow accumulations over the far NW will be enough to create hazardous travel. There will be a favorable fetch off Lake Erie and there will also be quite a bit of speed shear and gusty winds. Will hold the LES warning to Warren Co for now, and an advisory McKean Co. The fetch is not favorable for heavy snow for much of the area, but the Laurels and their upslope help will probably tack on another 1-3" to the coating which may occur during the push of cold air early in the night. Potter Co and maybe even Elk Co may need an advy for snow eventually if the bands are more persistent than currently anticipated - but confidence is low for that at this time. The bands will be numerous, but also fast moving and a fairly short distance away from the lake. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM MONDAY/... The wind decreases gradually in the afternoon, but will still be quite gusty (30-35 mph) as the low pulls northeast of Cape Cod. The snow showers also diminish/dissipate fairly quickly as the subsidence inversion base drops steadily. Max temps Monday will be near normal (about 40F) in the eastern valleys with the strong downslope flow and eventual clearing. However, highs will stay 5-10F short of normal elsewhere. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... The winds will gradually slacken Monday night into Tuesday as a ridge of high pressure slides east from the Ohio Valley. An area of low-mid level warm advection-induced light snow may brush the NW mtns Tuesday as another nrn stream wave approaches from the Upper Glakes. This wave of moisture and instability will drop through Tuesday night into Wednesday, though most precipitation should be relegated to the mountains. SFC low has shifted further north with cold air back into the region mid week through the end of the week. Light precipitation possible with another shot of cold air and gusty NW winds through the mtns. The influx of cold air will shift as a ridge will builds in into next weekend. Currently 850mb temps are in the +4C range so expect warmer temperatures. && .AVIATION /01Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... A cold front will sweep through central Pa this evening, accompanied by a round of snow showers/squalls across the NW Mtns and rain showers elsewhere. IFR CIGs from IPT south to MDT/LNS will give way to rapid improvement by around 02Z-03Z, as drier air works in behind the front. Main story across the entire region will be the strong, gusty WNW winds following the frontal passage. Model soundings support frequent gusts overnight of around 40kts with peak gusts close to 50kts possible, mainly across southern Pa. Behind the front, model soundings support mainly VFR conditions east of the mountains overnight. However, residual low level moisture ascending the Allegheny Plateau will result in lingering snow showers with occasional IFR VIS reductions at BFD and JST. Gradual improvement is expected Monday, as high pressure approaches from the Midwest. However, MVFR CIGs/flurries appear likely at BFD/JST for much of the day. Bufkit soundings support wind gusts to around 45kts across southeast Pa during the morning (35kts northwest Pa), then gradually diminishing winds toward evening. Outlook... Tue...No sig wx expected. Wed-Thu...Sct shsn/VIS reduction possible BFD/JST. Fri...No sig wx expected. && .EQUIPMENT... KFIG surface observation will be off line until further notice due to failed power feed. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST Monday for PAZ006-010>012-017>019- 024>028-033>035-037-041-042-045-046-049>053. Wind Advisory until 5 PM EST Monday for PAZ036-056>059-063>066. Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM EST Monday for PAZ024-033. Lake Effect Snow Advisory until 1 PM EST Monday for PAZ005. Wind Advisory until 4 AM EST Monday for PAZ004-005. Lake Effect Snow Warning until 1 PM EST Monday for PAZ004. && SYNOPSIS...La Corte NEAR TERM...La Corte SHORT TERM...Lambert LONG TERM...Lambert/Ceru AVIATION...Fitzgerald EQUIPMENT...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 PAZ036-056-057-059-063>066-132200- Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ019-025>028-034-035-132200- Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Bedford-Fulton- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ012-018-037-041-042-132200- Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ004-132200- Warren- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Lake Effect Snow Warning. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Lake Effect Snow Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ024-033-132200- Cambria-Somerset- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ017-132200- Clearfield- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ006-010-011-132200- Potter-Elk-Cameron- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ005-132200- McKean- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...LAKE EFFECT SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Lake Effect Snow Advisory. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Lake Effect Snow Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ045-046-049>053-132200- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ058-132200- Schuylkill- 457 PM EST Sun Feb 12 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 PM EST MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 127 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:38 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm produced 60 mph winds and knocked down trees around Berlin in Somerset County.
A severe thunderstorm produced 60 mph winds and knocked down trees and wires around Blue Knob in western Blair County.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph caused a barn collapse that killed four calves in West Township.
A line of severe thunderstorms produced 60 mph winds and knocked down trees across Huntingdon County.
A line of severe thunderstorms produced 60 mph winds and knocked down trees across southwestern Franklin County.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked over a shed near the intersection of Marsh Road and Salem Church Road in Washington Township.
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, February 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: 669712, 669713, 670165, 669714, 669715, 670583.