Showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall and flash flooding from the afternoon of June 19 into the nighttime hours. Rainfall amounts of 3 to near 6 inches were reported in parts of southeastern 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 PHI wrote it up.
Showers and thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall and flash flooding from the afternoon of June 19 into the nighttime hours. Rainfall amounts of 3 to near 6 inches were reported in parts of southeastern Pennsylvania. Significant flash flooding occurred in Berks County, mainly in the Reading area.
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 Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 19, 2:53 PM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
353 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019
.SYNOPSIS...
A frontal boundary remains stalled across the area through
tonight, but begins to lift north Thursday as an area of low
pressure moves toward the area along the boundary. This low will
pass to our north Thursday night, pulling a cold front across
the area Thursday night, with a second front or surface trough
moving across the area early Friday morning. Steady northwest
flow will develop Friday into Saturday, before high pressure
briefly affects the area Saturday night, before shifting
offshore and to our south Sunday. A warm front will lift across
the area Sunday night into Monday as an area of low pressure
moves across the Great Lakes region into southeast Canada. High
pressure builds to our south through the middle of next week,
while a surface trough develops across the east coast.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
The stalled boundary is located across southeastern PA and
southern NJ this afternoon. Some showers and thunderstorms are
developing right along the boundary and propagating northward,
with periods of heavy rain as they move through the region. With
high precipitable waters across the area today, we will
continue to see heavy rain fall. With such wet antecedent
conditions after the rain from the past couple of days, we
remain sensitive to flash flooding. While the showers are
moving, they aren't moving that quickly which will allow for
heavy rain to fall over a single location for a longer period
time increasing the risk for flash flooding.
Showers and thunderstorms will continue into this evening. We
should lose the thunder as we head into the overnight period as
the atmosphere starts to stabilize but showers will remain
possible. Not much relief overnight as we remain socked in with
clouds and temperatures will have a hard time dropping off too
much. Lows are expected to remain in the 60s to lower 70s. With
so much moisture across the region (and dew points into the
upper 60s to lower 70s), expect fog and low clouds to develop
once again and continue into the morning.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY/...
Another day, more convection. Seems to be the theme of the week
around the Mid-Atlantic but thankfully this looks to be the
last day of unsettled weather as we head towards the end of the
week.
A low pressure system will track through the Ohio Valley and
into the mid-Atlantic along the stalled boundary. Good surface
heating is expected to take place on Thursday and will help with
convective initiation as the majority of the forecast area
looks to remain in the warm sector. SPC has placed the majority
of our forecast area into a slight risk for severe weather.
There is decent shear (improved in the lower levels than is
present today) and CAPE >1000J/kg present and convection should
have no problem developing ahead of the approaching cold front,
although there may be more forward storm motion present than
there is today. Damaging winds looks to be the main threat at
this time but there is some indication we could see supercells
develop in which case we can't rule out the possibility of
rotating cells. With PWATs remaining around 2 inches, we will
continue to have a heavy rain threat and though the coverage may
not be as widespread, we have seen a fair amount of rain this
week and it is likely that the Flash Flood Watch will need to be
extended/expanded and/or re-issued into Thursday.
Temperatures will rise into the 80s through much of the area
and even into the lower 90s across southern Delaware and nearby
areas of eastern Maryland. The limiting factor, especially
across our northern areas, will be the cloud cover as the day
starts off with fog/low clouds across the region and just how
fast they clear will play a role in just how fast temperatures
can rise through the day.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
An area of low pressure will continue to move to our north and
strengthen as it does so. This will drag a cold front across the
area during the evening and overnight hours Thursday, with a
secondary front or surface trough moving across the area Friday
morning. This will keep enhanced precipitation chances through
Thursday night and Friday morning as several short
wave/vorticity impulses will move across the area and combine
with some enhance moisture. There remains instability Thursday
night and Friday morning, so thunderstorms will remain in the
forecast, and with PW values around 1.5 inches, heavy rainfall
could continue to be a threat.
The fronts will continue to push to our south during the day
Friday, and showers will come to an end by midday. However, the
pressure gradient will tighten with low pressure to our
northeast and high pressure to our northwest. This will likely
lead to be quite gusty during the day Friday, possibly reaching
20-30 mph.
High pressure remains to our west for Friday night into
Saturday, briefly building over the area Saturday night. This
will keep dry conditions across the area through Friday night
and Saturday. Winds will likely gust again Saturday, but not as
gusty as Friday, generally 15-20 mph.
The high then shifts offshore Sunday, before a warm front
begins to approach Sunday night. Most of the day Sunday is
expected to be dry, however, this could begin to change by late
Sunday into Sunday night as some moisture and a couple of short
waves move across the area and may lead to a chance of showers
and thunderstorms.
High pressure builds into the Northeast Monday as the upper
level trough lifts out of the region into the Canadian
Maritimes. A surface low will move just north of the Great
Lakes, drawing a warm front northward across the mid-Atlantic
during the day. Thus, warmer highs than Sunday can be expected.
Precipitation looks rather limited at this point with the front,
but kept a chance for showers and thunderstorms in the grids
for now. A return to a more humid airmass will occur, though, as
PWATs jump back to near 2 inches across the region.
The surface low continues to deepen as it moves into central
Ontario and eastern Quebec Monday night into Tuesday. As it does
so, a cold front will be pulled out of the Ohio Valley toward
the mid-Atlantic. At this point, model consensus appears to
shunt the precipitation north of the area. Best chances for
showers and thunderstorms looks to be across the northwestern
portions of the CWA at this time. There will be some
instability, so there is the potential for thunderstorms, but
timing will help determine any potential severe risk. If the
front is slower to arrive, coming Tuesday afternoon, the threat
may be greater. Regardless, it looks to be a warm a humid day
with highs in the upper 80s to near 90.
Highs will be a little cooler Wednesday behind the front, with
most places topping out in the mid 80s. Some discrepancy remains
as to how quickly the trough exits the Northeast, thus,
continued a slight chance for showers through the day Wednesday.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.
Rest of today...VFR cigs are creeping northward this afternoon
but we are still primarily seeing MVFR across the region, with
IFR conditions continuing at KTTN. Showers are developing and
will remain scattered across the region through this afternoon
and into this evening. Any shower that moves over the terminals
will cause conditions to drop briefly. Generally light southeast
winds less than 10 knots.
Tonight...Showers will continue this evening and into the
overnight. Cigs will drop to MVFR and then IFR, possibly LIFR,
overnight. Vis restrictions in fog possible, especially in areas
that see more rain tonight.
Thursday...IFR conditions will start to lift to MVFR during the
morning and then possibly become VFR at KPHL/KILG by early
afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms with MVFR or lower
conditions possible mainly during the afternoon and evening.
South to southwest winds less than 10 knots with higher winds
and gust in thunderstorms.
OUTLOOK...
Thursday night... VFR possible early, lowering to MVFR
overnight. Especially with any showers and thunderstorms.
Friday...MVFR conditions possible early, before improving to
VFR during the day. Chance of showers early. Winds shift to
northwest with gusts 20-25 knots.
Friday night-Saturday night...VFR conditions expected. Northwest
winds may gust 15-20 knots during the day Saturday.
Sunday-Sunday night...MVFR conditions expected. Chance of
showers Sunday night. West to southwest winds may gust around 15
knots during the day Sunday.
Monday...VFR with southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Gusts to 15
knots possible, especially along the shore.
&&
.MARINE...
Sub-Small Craft Advisory conditions are expected to continue
through Thursday. Winds out of the south to southeast around 10
to 15 knots tonight, becoming southwest on Thursday. Seas around
1 to 3 feet.
Higher winds and waves in showers and thunderstorms.
Outlook...
Thursday night-Friday night...Small Craft Advisory conditions
possible with guts 25-30 knots possible. Gale force winds
possible during the day Friday.
Saturday-Sunday night...Conditions expected to drop below
advisory levels by Saturday and remain below advisory levels
through Sunday night.
Monday...sub SCA conditions expected with southwesterly winds
10 to 15 knots and seas 1 to 3 feet.
Rip Currents...
A low risk for the development of dangerous rip currents is
expected to continue through today with waves in the surf zone 3
feet or less.
&&
.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for PAZ054-055-060>062-
070-071-101>106.
NJ...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for NJZ001-007>010-
012>019.
DE...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for DEZ001.
MD...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM Thursday to 6 PM EDT Friday for
ANZ430-431-451>455.
Small Craft Advisory from 8 AM to 6 PM EDT Friday for ANZ450.
&&
Synopsis...Robertson
Near Term...Meola
Short Term...Meola
Long Term...Davis/Robertson/Jain
Aviation...Davis/Robertson/Meola
Marine...Davis/Robertson/MeolaHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 356 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019 DEZ001-NJZ001-007>010-012-013-015>019-PAZ054-055-060>062-070-071- 101>106-202000- New Castle-Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex- Western Monmouth-Mercer-Salem-Gloucester-Camden- Northwestern Burlington-Carbon-Monroe-Berks-Lehigh-Northampton- Delaware-Philadelphia-Western Chester-Eastern Chester- Western Montgomery-Eastern Montgomery-Upper Bucks-Lower Bucks- 356 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Delaware, central New Jersey, northern New Jersey, northwest New Jersey, southern New Jersey, east central Pennsylvania, northeast Pennsylvania and southeast Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. DEZ002-003-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ020>023-027-202000- Kent-Inland Sussex-Cecil-Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-Ocean- Cumberland-Atlantic-Cape May-Southeastern Burlington- 356 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Delaware, southern Delaware, northeast Maryland and southern New Jersey. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. NJZ014-202000- Eastern Monmouth- 356 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New Jersey. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. DEZ004-NJZ025-026-202000- Delaware Beaches-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean- 356 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Delaware and southern New Jersey. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. ANZ430-431-450>455-NJZ024-202000- Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE- Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE- Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm- Atlantic Coastal Cape May- 356 PM EDT Wed Jun 19 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters, Delaware Bay Waters and southern New Jersey. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Some thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening may produce local wind gusts to 34 knots or greater. There is a chance for occassional gale force winds Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:36 UTC.
19 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Several roadways in the Croydon section of Bristol Township were impassable. A few water rescues took place. State Road was damaged by the flood waters.
Minor flooding occurred along the Pennypack Creek in Northeast Philadelphia.
A water rescue took place on Host Church Road in Tulpehocken Township.
Widespread roadway flooding in Wernersville.
A water rescue took place on South Church Street in Robesonia.
Widespread flash flooding occurred in the Reading, Wyomissing, Shillington and Kenhorst areas. Several water rescues took place near the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Morgantown Road in Reading. The Reading Public Museum in West Reading was damaged by flood waters. Trees were uprooted on and near the museum property, and a metal sculpture was washed away. Several water rescues took place around the intersection of Park Road and Sunnyside Avenue in Wyomissing. A sink hole developed on State Hill Road at Penn Avenue in Wyomissing. Residents of the Cambridge Commons Apartments in Wyomissing were rescued from flood waters as deep as 6 feet. Five individuals were rescues from flood waters at a convenience store on Museum Road in Wyomissing.
Flash flooding occurred in Cumru Township. A driveway on Yorkshire Road was washed away by flood waters, stranding two vehicles.
A snack foods factory in Mohnton experienced significant flooding. The flood waters reached the first floor of the building.
Several water rescues took place around the intersection of PA Route 12 and North 5th Street in Muhlenberg Township.
Flash flooding resulted in several road closures around the University of Pennsylvania and in Grays Ferry.
The PA Route 562 bridge across the Manatawny Creek along the border of Earl Township and Amity Township was washed out by flood waters.
Clover Mill Road was closed near Pike Springs Road in West Pikeland Township due to flash flooding.
A water rescue took place in Lansdowne. A vehicle was trapped in flood waters.
Moderate flooding occurred along the Valley Creek in the Chesterbrook area. The flooding resulted in the closure of PA Route 252 downstream in the Valley Forge area.
Moderate flooding occurred along the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek below Downingtown.
Moderate flooding occurred along the Crum Creek near Newtown Square.
South Park Avenue was closed near Woodland Avenue in Lower Providence Township due to flash flooding. There were lane closures on South Trooper Road along the Lower Providence Township - West Norriton Township line between Monroe Boulevard and Van Buren Avenue.
A water rescue took place on Pennsylvania Avenue in Oreland.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure or West Beidler Road and North Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township.
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, June 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: 821661, 823419, 821707, 821704, 821705, 821708, 821710, 823414, 821711, 821713, 821712, 821677, 821678, 823352, 823432, 823433, 823353, 823354, 823355.