A broken line of storms developed ahead of a weak frontal boundary over the eastern Great Lakes during the afternoon of August 17, 2019, and a few of these storms produced wind damage across northern Pennsylvania.
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 broken line of storms developed ahead of a weak frontal boundary over the eastern Great Lakes during the afternoon of August 17, 2019, and a few of these storms produced wind damage across northern Pennsylvania.
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 17, 1:18 PM EST, 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 218 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019 .SYNOPSIS... Very warm and humid conditions will persist through into early next week, and a trough of low pressure will keep the mention of mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Meso-anal shows MLCAPE in excess of 1000J from Central PA eastward, with another axis of high CAPE over NW PA. Storms have already popped over my SERN zones with locally heavy rain and some gusts in the 50mph range according to home weather stations. Further north is where SPC is concerned about severe storms where they have a Marginal/Slight Risk painted for the area along the NY border up through the Poconos. Fairly decent mid level flow and associated 0-6km shear could support some organized storms with a few rotating updrafts and possible isolated severe wind gusts. HPC has placed our NRN zones in a Marginal Risk for excessive rain. RAP meso-anal shows PWATs creeping up over 1.5" over the Lower Susq, where we have seen rainfall in the 1.5-2" range from some of the slow moving cells. Convection is expected to diminish in coverage and intensity after sunset, with just a small chance of a lingering shower or storm over the far north by midnight. It will be another muggy mid summer night with lows ranging from the mid 60s over the north to lower 70s SE. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY/... Another shortwave is progged to track north of Pa on Sunday bringing renewed convection from late morning into the early evening. Sunday's high temps will be a deg or 2 warmer than those of today. Highs will range from around 80 along the NY border to the lower 90s along the Mason-Dixon line. The combination of heat and humidity will drive Heat Indices into the mid 90s over the Lower Susq Valley for a few hours Sunday afternoon. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... Rounds of showers and thunderstorms are likely Tuesday and Wednesday in advance of a cold front pushing southeast from the Great Lakes. Would not be surprised to see at least a marginal severe storm risk evolve in this window at shorter ranges. The uptick in clouds and storms should trim back temperatures from near-record levels, but readings will still be above average for late August. Max heat index values should also trend lower Tue-Wed. Pockets of locally heavy rainfall will be possible through midweek although frontal progression should limit totals to some extent. The risk for storms shifts to the south on Thursday as push of cooler and drier air brings a refreshing end to the week. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Widespread VFR is in place, except where the showers/storms are affecting individual airfields. This will continue into the evening before patchy fog and low clouds redevelop late, lasting through the sunrise hours. Expect continued improvement to VFR conditions once again by late morning Sunday. .Outlook... Mon-Wed...Rounds of showers/thunderstorms possible, mainly in the afternoon/early evening hours. Late night and early morning fog/low clouds. Thu...mainly VFR behind a cold front. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...La Corte NEAR TERM...La Corte SHORT TERM...La Corte LONG TERM...Steinbugl AVIATION...La Corte
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 412 AM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019 PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-037-041-042-045-046-049-051>053-180815- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Montour-Northumberland- Columbia- 412 AM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds, frequent cloud to ground lightning and locally heavy rain are possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds, frequent cloud to ground lightning and locally heavy rain are possible once again Sunday afternoon and evening. Hot and humid conditions are expected for the early to midweek period, with heat indices topping out between 95 and 100 degrees for Monday and Tuesday in the Central Valleys and Susquehanna River Valley. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ024>028-033>036-050-056>059-063>066-180815- Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton- Franklin-Snyder-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams- York-Lancaster- 412 AM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019 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...Sunday through Friday. Hot and humid conditions are expected for the early to midweek period, with heat indices topping out between 100 and 105 degrees throughout the Southern Valleys and Susquehanna River Valley on Monday, and around 100 degrees both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1138 AM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
PAZ065-066-171630-
York PA-Lancaster PA-
1138 AM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 1136 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Stonybrook-Wilshire, moving east at 15 mph.
Very heavy rain is expected with slow-moving showers and storms.
Pea size hail is also possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lancaster, York, Hanover, Columbia, Lititz, Millersville, Willow
Street, Mount Joy, Parkville, Red Lion, Spry, East Petersburg,
Dallastown, Shiloh, East York, Stonybrook-Wilshire, West York,
Salunga-Landisville, Maytown and Shrewsbury.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3979 7700 4013 7665 4014 7617 3972 7651
3972 7700
TIME...MOT...LOC 1536Z 261DEG 14KT 3998 7662
BanghoffSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service State College PA 1230 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019 PAZ065-066-171715- York PA-Lancaster PA- 1230 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019 ...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... At 1228 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near Brogue, moving slowly southeast. Brief torrential downpours and pea size hail are possible. Locations impacted include... Columbia, Millersville, Willow Street, Red Lion, Windsor, Cross Roads, Brogue, Smithville, Shenks Ferry, Holtwood, Sunnyburn, Safe Harbor, Susquehanna Trails, Conestoga, East Prospect, Washington Boro, Winterstown, Felton, Refton and Airville. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Minor flooding may develop. Do not drive into water covering the roadway. && LAT...LON 3983 7665 4003 7647 3996 7621 3973 7640 TIME...MOT...LOC 1628Z 302DEG 7KT 3993 7648 La Corte
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
111 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
PAZ065-171745-
York PA-
111 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 110 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Sunnyburn, moving southeast at 20 mph.
Torrential rainfall and pea size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Delta, Sunnyburn, Susquehanna Trails, Fawn Grove, Airville and Peach
Bottom.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Minor flooding may develop. Do not drive into water covering the
roadway.
&&
LAT...LON 3978 7653 3990 7642 3987 7637 3985 7635
3983 7635 3977 7627 3973 7624 3972 7624
3972 7648
TIME...MOT...LOC 1710Z 314DEG 17KT 3977 7642
BanghoffSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
134 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
PAZ059-171800-
Lebanon PA-
134 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF LEBANON COUNTY UNTIL
200 PM EDT...
At 133 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Newmanstown, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lebanon, Myerstown, Sand Hill, Newmanstown, Avon, Richland,
Schaefferstown, Kleinfeltersville, Jonestown and Avon Heights.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Minor flooding may develop. Do not drive into water covering the
roadway.
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 4027 7626 4040 7650 4046 7637 4036 7623
4036 7620 4032 7615
TIME...MOT...LOC 1733Z 222DEG 14KT 4032 7620
BanghoffSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
137 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
PAZ053-058-171830-
Columbia PA-Schuylkill PA-
137 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF SCHUYLKILL AND COLUMBIA
COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...
At 136 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Wilburton Number Two, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and pea size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Frackville, Ashland, Girardville, Oneida,
Altamont, Englewood, Aristes, Fountain Springs, Numidia, Sheppton,
Brandonville, Wilburton Number One, Locustdale, Wilburton Number Two,
Locust Lake State Park, New Boston-Morea, Shenandoah Heights and
Ringtown.
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.
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 4074 7610 4077 7640 4078 7638 4083 7640
4084 7641 4088 7641 4093 7614 4093 7611
4092 7611
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 267DEG 11KT 4083 7635
BanghoffSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
142 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
PAZ004-171845-
Warren PA-
142 PM EDT Sat Aug 17 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF WARREN COUNTY UNTIL 245
PM EDT...
At 141 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Columbus, moving east at 30 mph.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and pea size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Warren, Columbus, Youngsville, Russell, Spring Creek, Lottsville,
Warren South, Garland, Chapman State Park, Sugar Grove, Starbrick and
Bear Lake.
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.
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 4200 7906 4171 7914 4181 7961 4199 7961
4200 7960
TIME...MOT...LOC 1741Z 276DEG 25KT 4189 7968
BanghoffThe Buffalo radar (KBUF), 122 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:27 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires on Matthews Run Road near Chandlers Valley.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires on Creamery Road northwest of Warren.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires in North Warren.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires at Route 59 and Big Shanty Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across a road in Roulette Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires and two vehicles in northeastern Potter County. There were no injuries.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires in Treasure Lake.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees onto wires in Treasure Lake, blocking cars on the road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto a house in Treasure Lake.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto a house on McBride Street in Clearfield.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees in Clearfield.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees near Beechwood.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, August 2019
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: 851007, 851008, 851010, 851012, 851013, 851014, 851015, 851016, 851017, 851018, 851019, 851820.