A weak trough of low pressure pushing into a seasonably warm airmass was enough to generate scattered storms across central Pennsylvania during the afternoon of August 2, 2019, and a couple of these storms produced wind damage.
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 weak trough of low pressure pushing into a seasonably warm airmass was enough to generate scattered storms across central Pennsylvania during the afternoon of August 2, 2019, and a couple of these storms produced wind damage.
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 2, 1:45 PM EST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 245 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A slow moving upper disturbance along with a stalled surface front will keep the mention of mainly afternoon and evening showers and storms in the forecast through the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 11 PM THIS EVENING/... T/SHRA covering a good portion of the area this aftn. The storms are mostly pulse in nature, growing on the daytime heat/instability. But, good upper-level evacuation and high moisture is helping some of the storms hold together long enough to get near severe. Perhaps the bigger worry is the threat for some flooding. As long as the storms behave as they currently are (pulse up and kill themselves off as they move very little), we should see the currently rainy places be dry in an hour or two. This should keep most of the problems in the minor flooding range. Will hold off on a flash flood watch for that reason. Couldn't rule out something a little more serious than some big puddles and swollen roadside ditches, though. Sunset should help diminish the storms, but the upper heights do actually look like they dip some into the night. So, that instability may still be around, just not sfc-based anymore. Therefore, do not expect them to totally evaporate. Will keep the mentions of thunder running through at least midnight, and mainly in the east or northeast under the coolest temps aloft. && .SHORT TERM /11 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM SATURDAY/... Convective activity should be on the wane after midnight, but could last into the early morning hours, esp over the east/northeast. Despite a little clearing initially, low clouds and fog are expected to become widespread overnight as the rainfall today leaves things very moist and the wind will again be light to calm. The daytime on Saturday will feature more of the same as the weak and slow moving upper trough allows for some instability. The pattern changes none, and persistence is our friend. More storms, and still a low (but non-nil) threat for both minor flooding and severe winds. Highs in the 80s will be near to a tad above normal, but sticky dewpoints are forecast to hang around. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... Under a broad upper level trough for much of the period. This will lead to a period of seasonable temperatures. After a couple days of dry weather to start the week for most of central PA, we will see a period of typical summer weather with daily scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Saturday night a weak front passes through helping to diminish POPs from the northwest as high pressure builds in. Just slight chances for any storms. Monday will see continued dry weather most areas in Central PA. Best chance for some scattered storms to pop would be across the southern tier of PA in the afternoon and evening and then die off again. Better chances on Tuesday into Wednesday as a shortwave moves down. Unsettled pattern will continue into Friday. Highest POP is Wednesday afternoon with the shortwave. The rest of the period is looking at scattered chances. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... T/SHRA have expanded in coverage to cover much of the area, but many of the TAF sites/terminals have remained VFR until now. However, the close proximity of the storms makes it necessary to carry at least a VCTS for the next few hours. Most storms should die off after sunset, but the upper pattern changes little and temps aloft may actually cool a little overnight. So, while there will be many less SHRA overnight after we lose the heat and residual energy, isolated SHRA can't be totally ruled out. Fog is again expected to form in at least the river valleys and at all places which do receive rain this aftn/eve. Low clouds should also spread out to cover much of the area by morning. Will drop many places to IFR, either in fog or clouds or both overnight. These clouds and the fog will burn off after sunrise. The morning clouds will likely mean a later (in the day) start to the storms vs today/Friday. Allusion...more, scattered T/SHRA are expected during the afternoon and evening on Sat. .Outlook... Sun...Patchy AM fog possible, mainly Western Pa. Isold PM storms, mainly S. Mon-Tue...AM fog poss. Otherwise, mainly VFR. Wed...SCT/NRMS PM TSRA. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Dangelo NEAR TERM...Dangelo SHORT TERM...Dangelo LONG TERM...Watson AVIATION...Dangelo
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 430 AM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-024>028-033>037-041-042-045-046-049>053- 056>059-063>066-030830- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin- Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming- Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland- Adams-York-Lancaster- 430 AM EDT Fri Aug 2 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...Saturday through Thursday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1225 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
PAZ019-045-021700-
Southern Clinton PA-Southern Centre PA-
1225 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF CENTRE AND CLINTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 100 PM EDT...
At 1224 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Madisonburg. This storm was nearly stationary.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and penny size hail are possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Lamar around 1250 PM EDT.
Madisonburg, Aaronsburg and Rebersburg around 100 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Howard.
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 4103 7737 4081 7746 4079 7752 4088 7770
4105 7764
TIME...MOT...LOC 1624Z 287DEG 3KT 4095 7759
JurewiczSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1242 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
PAZ036-063-021730-
Franklin PA-Cumberland PA-
1242 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF FRANKLIN AND CUMBERLAND
COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM EDT...
At 1242 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Shippensburg, moving north at 15 mph.
Wind gusts of up to 55 mph and nickel size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Shippensburg, Scotland, Newville, Walnut Bottom, Orrstown and
Shippensburg University.
LAT...LON 3996 7762 4019 7760 4022 7756 4021 7733
3995 7748
TIME...MOT...LOC 1642Z 180DEG 14KT 4002 7754
ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
112 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
PAZ045-021745-
Southern Clinton PA-
112 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF CLINTON COUNTY UNTIL
145 PM EDT...
At 111 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Mackeyville, moving northeast at 10 mph.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and nickel size hail are possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Castanea around 115 PM EDT.
Dunnstown around 130 PM EDT.
McElhattan, Avis and Carroll around 145 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Loganton and Lock
Haven University.
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 4120 7730 4118 7729 4118 7728 4108 7718
4107 7714 4105 7714 4099 7735 4097 7746
4110 7756 4115 7747 4121 7732
TIME...MOT...LOC 1711Z 241DEG 9KT 4106 7742
JurewiczSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
153 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
PAZ012-041-045-021830-
Southern Clinton PA-Northern Clinton PA-Northern Lycoming PA-
153 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF LYCOMING AND CLINTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...
At 152 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms near
Waterville, moving north northeast at 10 to 15 mph.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and penny size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Avis, Waterville, Little Pine State Park, Cammal and English Center.
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 4122 7731 4121 7731 4118 7731 4115 7755
4143 7767 4148 7728
TIME...MOT...LOC 1752Z 170DEG 6KT 4124 7745
JurewiczSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
201 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
PAZ024>026-021900-
Blair PA-Cambria PA-Huntingdon PA-
201 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT PARTS OF HUNTINGDON...BLAIR...AND
CAMBRIA COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT...
At 201 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from Blandburg to Franklinville. Movement was
northeast at 10 mph.
Wind gusts of up to 55 mph and nickel size hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Tyrone, Bald Eagle, Bellwood, Warriors Mark, Tipton, Blandburg,
Spruce Creek, Birmingham, Franklinville, Prince Gallitzin State Park
and Delgrosso's Amusement Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4073 7853 4073 7835 4074 7824 4074 7813
4070 7796 4059 7811 4062 7863
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 234DEG 9KT 4066 7840 4065 7813
ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
245 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
PAZ025-021930-
Blair PA-
245 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF BLAIR COUNTY UNTIL 330
PM EDT...
At 245 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was reported near Altoona. This
storm was nearly stationary.
Hail up to penny size is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Altoona, Bellwood, Tipton, Horseshoe Curve, Penn State Altoona and
Delgrosso's Amusement Park.
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.
Turn around don't drown.
&&
LAT...LON 4053 7852 4054 7848 4060 7844 4064 7844
4064 7828 4057 7828 4051 7836 4048 7854
TIME...MOT...LOC 1845Z 067DEG 0KT 4056 7840
ColbertThe State College radar (KCCX), 57 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:01 UTC.
5 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 15th Street and 5th Avenue in Altoona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down 10 trees in Grandview Cemetery in Altoona, all facing south. Some of the trees were snapped and some were uprooted.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a couple of trees onto Davis Road near Gwin Road west of Altoona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires along Route 764 near Municipal Drive and Carson Valley Road in Duncansville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down two trees along Continental Boulevard in Washingtonville.
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: 848994, 848995, 848996, 848997, 848998.