An EF1 tornado touched down in Hellam Township, just southeast of Hallam borough, and tracked east-northeastward for just under two miles, lifting just west of Wrightsville in York County. This spin-up occurred in the middle of more widespread damage caused by a microburst that created a larger swath of damage across east-central York 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.
An EF1 tornado touched down in Hellam Township, just southeast of Hallam borough, and tracked east-northeastward for just under two miles, lifting just west of Wrightsville in York County. This spin-up occurred in the middle of more widespread damage caused by a microburst that created a larger swath of damage across east-central York 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 Feb 25, 1:57 PM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 157 PM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A line of thunderstorms capable of damaging winds are forecast this afternoon across east-central Pennsylvania. Gusty winds and noticeably colder temperatures will follow behind a cold front later today into tonight with scattered snow showers across the Alleghenies. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Severe thunderstorm risk is now focusing on the Lower Susq. Valley. SPC issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch #39 through 26/01z. Latest radar trends indicate a substantial increase in coverage and intensity of thunderstorms and lightning across NVA/MD tracking ENEWD toward/into southeast PA. 18z SPC mesoanalysis shows an area of 500 J/kg of MLCAPE over the LSV with dewpoints near 60F. Strong winds aloft and focused forcing along cold front is supportive of fast-moving bowing structures capable of producing damaging winds. Risk for severe storms ends by 22z as the cold front pushes east of the area. The watch will likely need to be cancelled a few hours early. A period of brisk and colder west winds will follow behind the FROPA with peak gusts 45-50mph on the highest ridges in Laurels. A few snow showers will also spill downwind of Lake Erie and over the higher terrain along the Alleghenies. Little to no accumulation is expected. Low temps will bottom out in the 20s north to around 30 in the south -- a remarkable 30 to 40 degrees colder than yesterdays record warmth. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Morning flurries and scattered snow showers will come to an end by the afternoon over the NW mtns with winds continuing to decrease as high pressure moves over the area. Temperatures will return to near or slightly below average for late February - but it will feel much colder given the recent run of magnificent spring-like warmth. High pressure shifts off the Mid Atlantic coast Sunday night with clouds increase ahead of shortwave tracking through the Mid MS/OH Valley. Model blend keeps pcpn well to the SW of the area through daybreak Monday. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... The latest 00Z Oper and EFS runs show a warm frontal boundary moving into the region Tuesday. This will bring the next chance for light precipitation with possible warmer than normal temperatures though not as high as currently. Another upper level trough moving through the Great lakes could bring another cold front through the mid Atlantic region later next week. There are inconsistencies in timing and placement. && .AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... 25/18z| Coverage and intensity of thunderstorms is increasing early this afternoon from NVA into SE PA with main focus for severe storms now over the southeast 1/4 of the airspace. Main risk is for strong to locally damaging winds (40+KT) impacting KMDT/KLNS airspace 19-21z. Gusty winds (25-35KT) expected behind cold front with wind shift to 250-300 degrees by this evening. Expect shower activity to taper off from west to east behind the front later this afternoon into the evening. Colder air will filter into the area with scattered light snow showers/flurries developing downwind of Lake Erie and across the higher terrain of western PA with some lower CIGs and brief visby reductions psbl into Sunday. Outlook... Sun...MVFR/-shsn west bcmg VFR. Mainly VFR central-east. Decreasing winds. Mon...Mainly VFR. Chance of rain. Tue-Wed...Rain showers/Sub-VFR reductions likely. Thu...Strong FROPA with gusty winds. Sub-VFR likely west. && .CLIMATE... **Updated 11am 2/25/17** New Record high temperatures for Feb. 24: Harrisburg 2/24: 76. Previous 75 in 1985; all-time Feb record is 78F. Williamsport 2/24: 76. Previous 71 in 1985; New record high temperature for the month of February. Altoona 2/24: 75. Previous 69 in 1985; New record high temperature for the month of February. Bradford 2/24: 69. Previous 59 in 1961; New record high temperature for the month of February. State College 2/25: 74. New record high temperature for February and meteorological winter (DJF). ----------------------------------------------------------- Warmest February on Record (Avg. Temperature through 2/24) Harrisburg: 2017 rank=1 (40.8) 2. 40.4 in 1998 3. 39.6 in 1976 4. 39.4 in 1954 Williamsport: 2017 rank=1 (37.6) 2. 37.0 in 1998 3. 36.1 in 1954 4. 35.6 in 2002 Altoona: 2017 rank=1 (39.3) 2. 37.4 in 1976 3. 36.2 in 1998 4. 35.9 in 1990/1954 Bradford: 2017 rank=T1 (32.3) 1. 32.3 in 1998 2. 30.1 in 2002 3. 29.6 in 2012 4. 29.5 in 1990/1976 ------------------------------------------------------------- && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Steinbugl LONG TERM...Lambert/Ceru AVIATION...Steinbugl CLIMATE...Steinbugl
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service State College PA 253 PM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-025>028-034>037-041-045-046-049-050-056- 262000- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata- Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Southern Clinton- Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Perry- 253 PM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. 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. PAZ024-033-262000- Cambria-Somerset- 253 PM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible on the highest ridges this evening into tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. 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. PAZ057-059-063>066-262000- Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 253 PM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 39 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EST 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. 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. PAZ042-051>053-058-262000- Sullivan-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 253 PM EST Sat Feb 25 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater are possible this afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. 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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
223 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
PAZ059-251945-
Lebanon PA-
223 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF LEBANON COUNTY UNTIL
245 PM EST...
At 223 PM EST, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Cleona, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Myerstown, Cornwall, Annville, Lebanon, Harper Tavern, Sand Hill,
Mount Gretna Heights, Timber Hills, Avon, Richland, Quentin, Cleona,
Lickdale, Pleasant Hill, Lebanon South, Fredericksburg, Mount Gretna,
Ono, Avon Heights and Palmyra.
LAT...LON 4022 7648 4035 7663 4037 7663 4052 7648
4036 7622
TIME...MOT...LOC 1923Z 228DEG 27KT 4035 7650
KFPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
236 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0233 PM HAIL 2 N COLUMBIA 40.06N 76.49W
02/25/2017 E0.75 INCH LANCASTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER
PENNY-SIZED HAIL NEAR COLUMBIA.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CTP1700413
EVANEGOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
240 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0236 PM HAIL 1 NE EAST YORK 39.98N 76.67W
02/25/2017 M1.00 INCH YORK PA PUBLIC
QUARTER-SIZED HAIL IN SPRINGETTSBURY TWP.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CTP1700414
EVANEGOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
255 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0222 PM HAIL 1 NE EAST YORK 39.98N 76.67W
02/25/2017 M1.00 INCH YORK PA PUBLIC
QUARTER-SIZED HAIL IN SPRINGETTSBURY TWP.
0233 PM HAIL 2 N COLUMBIA 40.06N 76.49W
02/25/2017 E0.75 INCH LANCASTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER
PENNY-SIZED HAIL NEAR COLUMBIA.
0233 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 2 N COLUMBIA 40.06N 76.49W
02/25/2017 LANCASTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER
FUNNEL CLOUDS SPOTTED NORTH OF COLUMBIA.
0238 PM HAIL MAYTOWN 40.08N 76.58W
02/25/2017 E1.00 INCH LANCASTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER
QUARTER-SIZED HAIL NEAR MAYTOWN.
0242 PM HAIL MOUNT JOY 40.11N 76.51W
02/25/2017 E1.00 INCH LANCASTER PA SOCIAL MEDIA
QUARTER-SIZED HAIL NEAR MOUNT JOY.
0250 PM HAIL MCSHERRYSTOWN 39.80N 77.02W
02/25/2017 E1.00 INCH ADAMS PA TRAINED SPOTTER
QUARTER-SIZED HAIL NEAR MCSHERRYSTOWN.
0250 PM HAIL HANOVER 39.81N 76.98W
02/25/2017 E0.75 INCH YORK PA TRAINED SPOTTER
PENNY-SIZED HAIL NEAR HANOVER.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CTP1700414 CTP1700413 CTP1700417 CTP1700415 CTP1700416
CTP1700418 CTP1700419
EVANEGOSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
304 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
PAZ057-252030-
Dauphin PA-
304 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF DAUPHIN COUNTY UNTIL 330
PM EST...
At 303 PM EST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Klingerstown to near Valley Green. Movement
was east at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hummelstown, Colonial Park, Middletown, Harrisburg, Linglestown,
Progress, Steelton, Hershey, Skyline View, Lykens, Lawnton,
Bressler-Enhaut-Oberlin, Rutherford, Dehart Dam, Penbrook, Highspire,
Paxtang, Williamstown, Paxtonia and Elizabethville.
LAT...LON 4013 7674 4018 7676 4020 7682 4022 7684
4025 7689 4062 7689 4063 7682 4065 7680
4064 7679 4066 7671 4055 7654 4048 7668
4020 7657 4019 7661 4015 7668 4016 7670
4012 7672
TIME...MOT...LOC 2003Z 251DEG 29KT 4063 7670 4015 7675
KFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
315 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
PAZ053-058-252030-
Columbia PA-Schuylkill PA-
315 PM EST SAT FEB 25 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF COLUMBIA AND SCHUYLKILL
COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EST...
At 315 PM EST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Shickshinny to near Tower City. These storms
were nearly stationary.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Shenandoah, Ashland, Frackville, Brandonville, Englewood, Beurys
Lake, Nuremburg, Buck Run, Wilburton Number Two, Tower City,
Donaldson, Fountain Springs, Wilburton Number One, Oneida, Lavelle,
Shumans, Tremont, Locustdale, Aristes and Girardville.
LAT...LON 4052 7647 4059 7659 4074 7648 4078 7638
4083 7641 4107 7623 4095 7621 4092 7611
TIME...MOT...LOC 2015Z 202DEG 2KT 4112 7616 4054 7657
KFThe Sterling radar (KLWX), 137 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:16 UTC.
1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
An EF1 tornado was confirmed in Hellam Township, between Hallam and Wrightsville, by a NWS storm survey. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 90 mph, with a path length of just under two miles and a maximum path width of 100 yards.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Pennsylvania, 2017Warnings 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: 672819.