A shortwave trough moved though northern Pennsylvania during the afternoon of the 24th. This sparked scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area.
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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 BGM wrote it up.
A shortwave trough moved though northern Pennsylvania during the afternoon of the 24th. This sparked scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area. One particular cluster of storm cells over Luzerne county triggered excessive rainfall and areas of flash flooding.
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 Binghamton, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 24, 2:57 PM EST, 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Binghamton NY 357 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 .SYNOPSIS... Warmth and humidity, along with passing disturbances and then a cold front, will lead to scattered showers and thunderstorms at times this afternoon through Tuesday during otherwise dry conditions. High pressure on Wednesday will briefly bring cooler and quiet weather, but things will turn more active later in the week as temperatures trend warmer again. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... As expected, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms have developed as a shortwave trough moves through the area. The majority of these storms have been located across the Twin Tiers and across portions of Northeast PA. While shear remains low, enough CAPE is present for some strong updrafts and therefore locally damaging winds and some hail. In addition, a cluster of thunderstorms over the Wyoming Valley has been training over the same area the last couple of hours, and therefore localized flash flooding will be possible. After convection tapers off this evening, a muggy night is in store with lows and dewpoints in the 60s. While the majority of the night will likely be dry, an embedded well-marked wave will zip through an increasing west-northwest flow towards dawn, and could actually bring a decaying, yet possibly gusty line of convection into parts of Central NY first thing in the morning. At the surface, this will also be marked as a pre-frontal trough. Tuesday's forecast is rather complicated. SPC continues to have our entire area in a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms. Strong shear of around 40-50 knots at 6km will be present. However, with the pre-frontal trough and associated shortwave moving through early in the day, instability will be questionable. As a result, it is still uncertain how widespread thunderstorm coverage may be. Right now, it looks like the greatest chance for strong to severe thunderstorms will be across the southern portion of the area (from the Twin Tiers southward into Northeast PA). In any storms that do develop, locally damaging winds will be possible. Timing of these storms look to be from the late morning through the mid-afternoon. Then as the front continues to move southward, a drying trend will be present beginning in the late afternoon and especially by the evening from south to north. Highs Tuesday will only be mid 70s-lower 80s in Central NY, as cloudiness and then cool air advection get going especially into the afternoon; Northeast PA meanwhile should still manage to reach mainly lower-mid 80s. Skies gradually clear Tuesday night as weak high pressure approaches the area. Lows will be on the cool side, mainly in the upper 40s to upper 50s. Dewpoints will be falling as well, and therefore humidity levels will drop. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... 1259 pm update... Main concerns in the short term remain focused on the potential for showers and thunderstorms Wednesday night and Thursday along a slow moving warm front. Weather conditions on Wednesday will be very quiet as weak high pressure at the surface dominates much of the Northeast during the middle of the week. Temperatures will be on the relative cooler side of the spectrum with highs only into the 70s. An area of low pressure across the Upper Midwest with a warm front extending well across the srn Great Lakes into the ern Ohio Valley will sweep slowly to the north and ne Wed night into Thursday. Steady rain will move in from the southwest along and ahead of this front...and then become more convective by Thursday afternoon as the boundary layer destabilizes and the forcing from the incoming low pressure system to the west arrives. A few strong to possibly severe storms are possible. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... 1259 pm update... The pattern remains very active Thursday night through Friday night as a re-enforcing upper trough from wrn Ontario drops in quickly from the northwest. The effects/moisture from the tropical systems in the Gulf of Mexico may phase somewhat with the incoming wave and act to produce a broad area of rain over the ern Great Lakes and much of the Northeast and mid Atlantic region on Friday. Cooler and drier air will be felt behind the departing low pressure system Saturday and Sunday with highs in the 70s and overnight lows in the 50s. There may be some lake effect rain showers during this period, but overall the pattern should be fairly dry. && .AVIATION /20Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Mainly VFR conditions are expected through the next 24 hours. However, scattered showers and thunderstorms may create brief restrictions at KAVP, KELM, KBGM, and KITH this afternoon and early evening. There is also a very small chance for scattered showers or thunderstorms late tonight, but confidence is too low to include in the TAFs. Patchy fog may bring brief MVFR restrictions at KELM early Tuesday morning. Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible towards the end of the TAF period (Tuesday PM), but confidence is too low to include in any particular TAF at this time. Outlook... Tuesday afternoon...Occasional restrictions possible in scattered showers and thunderstorms. Tuesday evening through Wednesday...Mainly VFR, though valley fog possible at KELM late night-early morning. Wednesday night through Saturday...Restrictions possible from occasional showers; thunder also possible in afternoons. && .BGM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NY...None. && SYNOPSIS...BJG/MDP NEAR TERM...BJG SHORT TERM...BJT LONG TERM...BJT AVIATION...BJG
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Binghamton NY 334 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 NYZ015>018-022-023-251945- Yates-Seneca-Southern Cayuga-Onondaga-Steuben-Schuyler- 334 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ...SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ON TUESDAY... A front will pass through the region Tuesday, possibly accompanied by strong to severe thunderstorms. The primary time of concern will be late morning to mid afternoon. There remains quite a bit of uncertainty as to whether thunderstorms will be able to develop, but if they do, damaging wind gusts could occur. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. Please relay any information about severe weather to the NWS while following local, state and CDC guidelines. NYZ009-024-025-036-037-044>046-055>057-062-PAZ038>040-043-044-047- 048-072-251945- Northern Oneida-Chemung-Tompkins-Madison-Southern Oneida-Cortland- Chenango-Otsego-Tioga-Broome-Delaware-Sullivan-Bradford-Susquehanna- Northern Wayne-Wyoming-Lackawanna-Luzerne-Pike-Southern Wayne- 334 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New York and northeast Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and early evening. Damaging wind gusts are possible in any of these storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ...SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ON TUESDAY... A front will pass through the region Tuesday, possibly accompanied by strong to severe thunderstorms. The primary time of concern will be late morning to mid afternoon. There remains quite a bit of uncertainty as to whether thunderstorms will be able to develop, but if they do, damaging wind gusts could occur. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. Please relay any information about severe weather to the NWS while following local, state and CDC guidelines.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Binghamton NY
132 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
PAZ047-241800-
Luzerne PA-
132 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT...NORTHEASTERN LUZERNE COUNTY
UNTIL 200 PM EDT...
At 131 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Wilkes-Barre, moving southeast at 10 mph.
Dime size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Plains, Plymouth, Swoyersville, Edwardsville,
Larksville, Forty Fort, Wyoming and Luzerne.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4124 7596 4132 7588 4129 7568 4127 7568
4126 7565 4124 7565 4109 7578
TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 298DEG 9KT 4126 7585
KistnerSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Binghamton NY 206 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 PAZ043-044-047-241830- Wyoming PA-Luzerne PA-Lackawanna PA- 206 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT...WEST CENTRAL LACKAWANNA... NORTHEASTERN LUZERNE AND SOUTHEASTERN WYOMING COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT... At 205 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near West Wyoming, or near Pittston, moving east at 10 mph. Dime size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Scranton, Old Forge, Pittston, Taylor, Moosic, Exeter, Vernon, Clarks Summit, Duryea and West Pittston. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to minor flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 4135 7604 4145 7600 4149 7566 4129 7571 TIME...MOT...LOC 1805Z 271DEG 9KT 4137 7586 Kistner
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Binghamton NY 243 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 NYZ055-056-241915- Tioga NY-Broome NY- 243 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT...SOUTHWESTERN BROOME AND EAST CENTRAL TIOGA COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT... At 243 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Newark Valley, or near Owego, moving east at 20 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Vestal, Johnson City, Endicott, Maine, Owego, Newark Valley, Greater Binghamton Airport, Endwell, West Corners and Union Center. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4212 7627 4224 7625 4225 7593 4204 7598 TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 280DEG 19KT 4216 7622 Kistner
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Binghamton NY 327 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 NYZ055-242030- Tioga NY- 327 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT...CENTRAL TIOGA COUNTY UNTIL 430 PM EDT... At 327 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Spencer, or 12 miles north of Waverly, moving east at 15 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Owego, Candor, Spencer, Jenksville, North Spencer, West Candor, Catatonk, West Newark and Weltonville. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4227 7620 4209 7625 4216 7653 4225 7653 TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 279DEG 11KT 4219 7651 Kistner
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Binghamton NY 350 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 NYZ022-242015- Steuben NY- 350 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT...SOUTHWESTERN STEUBEN COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM EDT... At 350 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near West Cameron, or 10 miles southeast of Hornell, moving east at 20 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Cameron, West Cameron, North Cameron and Cameron Mills. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4217 7761 4226 7758 4225 7731 4210 7738 TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 279DEG 18KT 4221 7753 Kistner
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Binghamton NY 400 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 NYZ045-046-057-242015- Otsego NY-Chenango NY-Delaware NY- 400 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT...SOUTHWESTERN OTSEGO...WEST CENTRAL DELAWARE AND SOUTHEASTERN CHENANGO COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT... At 400 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Bainbridge, or 14 miles south of Norwich, moving east at 15 mph. Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Sidney, Bainbridge, Masonville, Unadilla, Youngs and Wells Bridge. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4230 7549 4237 7546 4238 7522 4222 7529 TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 280DEG 13KT 4233 7545 Kistner
The Binghamton radar (KBGM), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:02 UTC.
2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Locally heavy rainfall flooded a residence to the first floor in Kingston.
Numerous cars were submerged by flash flood waters throughout Kingston borough.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, August 2020
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: 917709, 917710.