Lines of storms formed along a frontal boundary that was draped from the lower Great Lakes eastward across southern New York State during the afternoon of August 27, 2020. These lines of storms produced numerous wind damage reports as they progressed southeastward into a moderately unstable environment over central 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.
Lines of storms formed along a frontal boundary that was draped from the lower Great Lakes eastward across southern New York State during the afternoon of August 27, 2020. These lines of storms produced numerous wind damage reports as they progressed southeastward into a moderately unstable environment over central 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 27, 1:17 PM EST, 3 hours 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 217 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 .SYNOPSIS... There is an enhanced risk of severe storms across north central and northeast Pennsylvania this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds being the main threat. Wet weather will be possible again on Friday, and more likely on Saturday, as the remnants of Laura track just south of Pennsylvania. Some of the rainfall could be on the heavy side. A cooler and drier/less humid airmass prevail Sunday into early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... No change to day one SPC outlook, warm temperatures aloft should hold back storms till at least late afternoon and evening. The other factor is the strong westerly flow has mixed out some of the low level moisture. However, have to watch how things could change near sunset. Storms could linger until midnight, given the intense heating we have seen today. Main threat is strong to severe winds, given wind fields aloft and deep mixing. A bit too far west to have much potential for rotating storms. Prior to this a few showers and isolated storms over the southwest counties. The HRRR has little early on this aft. Lows will be within a few degrees of 70 degrees. Showers will likely linger in spots into late tonight but the severe threat should fade. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY/... Additional strong storms with gusty wind threat (MRGL risk or level 1 out of 5) are possible later Friday afternoon. SPC did edge the far western areas into slight. Wind fields not as strong today, thus expect more of a typical day of lighter winds and more of a pulse type day. Main concern is over today at this time, later shifts can adjust wording in DDS type products, as the event unfolds. The main change for Friday, was to edge dewpoints down in the southeast, and up a little across the north and central areas, given overall weather pattern. More informatin below for later Friday. There is a broad model signal for moderate to perhaps locally heavy QPF amounts across the northwest part of the area heading into Friday night/Saturday morning. This would be the point where moisture from Laura would be transported northward along cold front pushing east from the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley. Some chat with LWX and WPC today, and the MARFC. Main concern mainly out of our area, given current track and how dry it has been. A cold front accompanying a progressive northern-stream trough will advance southeast through the OH Valley and Northeast States, reaching the Middle Atlantic during the evening on Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms will be ongoing along and ahead of the front. Additional storms will likely develop as the warm sector destabilizes during the afternoon, posing a threat for mainly damaging wind. SPC has placed a SLGT risk area over far southeast zones which just clips a part of the lower Susq. Valley. The remnants of Laura are forecast to track to the south of PA Saturday and Saturday night. Some moisture entrainment is possible along/ahead of aforementioned cold front. While some heavy downpours are likely, the forecast wild card here is whether or how much moisture from Laura can interact with the frontal boundary. If this occurs, storms could pose more of a flood threat. But at this time, rainfall impacts appear to be limited. WPC has introduced a marginal risk ERO and will continue to monitor for an increase in heavy rainfall potential Saturday. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Behind the front and Laura, much cooler air will move into the region late this weekend and into next week. Expect high temps to be more in the 70s and lower 80s with low humidity. High pressure will lead to generally dry weather Sunday and Monday, although it may be cool enough aloft on Sunday for some lake effect rain showers to form off of Lake Erie which could move into the northern tier of PA. High pressure will drift eastward Monday with southerly flow developing across the region. This flow will bring an uptick in moisture for Tuesday and Wednesday leading to the chance for showers or thunderstorms each afternoon. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Several small areas of showers and isolated storms on radar as of 2 PM. Tried to cover these in the 18Z TAF package, as well as the potential for more activity later this afternoon and evening. Gusty west winds to prevail this afternoon. Some fog and low clouds late tonight. More showers possible across the west on Friday morning, working eastward later in the day. A wet day expected on Saturday, as a strong cold front nears. Outlook... Fri...AM low cigs possible wrn highlands. Sct PM tsra impacts possible. Sat...Widespread showers and reductions are expected. Sun-Mon...Generally VFR w/ no sig wx expected. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl/Martin NEAR TERM...Steinbugl/Martin SHORT TERM...Steinbugl LONG TERM...DeVoir/Travis AVIATION...Martin
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 PAZ004-005-010-011-281000- Warren-McKean-Elk-Cameron- 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 456 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT 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...Friday through Wednesday. Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible on Friday. Locally heavy rainfall is possible on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ006-012-037-041-042-045-046-281000- Potter-Northern Clinton-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming- 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 456 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT 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...Friday through Wednesday. Locally heavy rainfall is possible on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ018-019-025>028-034>036-050-056-063-281000- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata- Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Snyder-Perry-Cumberland- 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater and large hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter are possible this afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Isolated strong to locally severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall is possible on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ049-051>053-058-281000- Union-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater and large hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter are possible this afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Isolated strong to locally severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall is possible on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ057-059-064>066-281000- Dauphin-Lebanon-Adams-York-Lancaster- 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater and large hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter are possible this afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday and Saturday afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall is possible on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ017-024-033-281000- Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset- 309 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater and large hail exceeding 1 inch in diameter are possible this afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible on Friday. Locally heavy rainfall is possible on Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. Martin
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
306 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020
PAZ005-010-011-271930-
McKean PA-Cameron PA-Elk PA-
306 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF ELK...MCKEAN...AND
CAMERON COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EDT...
At 305 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Betula, moving east at 40 mph.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Emporium, Betula, Elk River and Sizerville.
LAT...LON 4166 7821 4162 7821 4156 7814 4145 7819
4164 7868 4172 7861
TIME...MOT...LOC 1905Z 291DEG 35KT 4165 7851
EvanegoSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
329 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020
PAZ006-011-272000-
Potter PA-Cameron PA-
329 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PARTS OF POTTER AND CAMERON
COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...
At 329 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over Elk
River, moving southeast at 40 mph.
Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph and half inch hail are possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cameron, Wharton, Emporium, Elk River and Sizerville.
LAT...LON 4154 7793 4138 7809 4153 7842 4161 7842
4162 7841 4162 7829
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 296DEG 33KT 4157 7833
EvanegoThe State College radar (KCCX), 111 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:24 UTC.
35 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm produced a wind gust of 66 mph at the ASOS station at Bradford Airport (KBFD).
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down wires across the road at 382 Dubois-Rockton Road.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near James City.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees around Coudersport.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees around Genesee.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees around Austin.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Johnsonburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees around Ulysses.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Emporium.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Kerrmorr.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees across King Court Drive in Sandy.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees around Galeton.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires near Benezette.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees at Maple Street in Burnside.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in the vicinity of Pumpkin Ridge Road and Berwinsdale Road to the northwest of Irvona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree at 1676 Ally Close Hill Road near Little Marsh.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees at 1767 Keewaydin Road near Karthus.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires across Altoona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in West Buffalo Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires along Skyline Drive.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees at 138 South Pine Street to the south of Altoona.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down at least 10 trees to the east of Shunk.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down wires and poles at 306 Freedom Street in East Freedom.
A thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 50 mph knocked down tree limbs onto wires at Armory Road in Sunbury.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto a camper at Little Mexico Campground. One person received a head injury.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across the road at 434 Susquehanna Trail in Point Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees across Point Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees onto Greenhouse Road near Tire Hill.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a large tree across Snydertown Road east of Sunbury.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several large branches.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires near Fannettsburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires in northwestern Somerset County.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees at 2636 Ferndale Road near Zion Grove.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires along Hill Road in Barry Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires onto Stoystown Road near Somerset.
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: 915739, 915731, 915732, 915733, 915734, 915735, 915742, 915736, 915744, 915750, 915751, 915737, 915746, 915755, 915762, 915765, 915766, 915807, 915887, 915809, 915810, 915893, 915813, 915895, 915890, 915888, 915896, 915901, 915897, 915891, 915899, 915889, 915902, 915903, 915892.