A quasi-stationary frontal boundary was located near the border region of the mid-Atlantic and New England for much of the day on August 28. South of the front, a hot and humid air mass developed.
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.
A quasi-stationary frontal boundary was located near the border region of the mid-Atlantic and New England for much of the day on August 28. South of the front, a hot and humid air mass developed. In addition, a fast moving approaching shortwave disturbance caused shear to increase, creating an environment of moderate to strong shear and instability as well as high moisture. Forcing from the shortwave caused widespread convection to develop by early to mid afternoon. Significant storm organization occurred, particularly in association with a line of storms that impacted portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and northern Delmarva. This mesoscale convective system (MCS) produced widespread wind damage, with a few other storms across the region also producing damaging winds.
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 Aug 28, 1:00 PM EST, 1 hour earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 200 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 .SYNOPSIS... Low pressure tracks north of the region tonight and Saturday. An associated strong cold front crosses our region later Saturday along with some moisture from the remnants of tropical system Laura. High pressure builds in for Monday before moving offshore Monday night into Tuesday. A warm front moves northward across our area Tuesday night into Wednesday, then a cold front arrives later Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/... Hot and humid ahead of an approaching shortwave. Showers and thunderstorms already firing up across portions of western and central Pennsylvania, and those storms will move into the region as the afternoon progresses. Temps are in the 80s to near 90, and surface dewpoints are in the upper 60s to low 70s. As a result, surface-based CAPE values are up around 2000 J/kg across Delmarva and from 1500-2000 J/kg across southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. Across Delmarva and southern New Jersey, DCAPE values are up around 1000 J/kg. 0-6 KM Bulk Shear is minimal, generally around 25 kt, but up to 40 kt across far northern New Jersey. Finally, PWATs are from 1.5-2.0 inches. Thunderstorms will become strong to severe as they move into the unstable airmass, with damaging winds and heavy rain the most likely impacts. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect for most of southeast Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delmarva until 8 pm. && .SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM SATURDAY/... The first round of convection will taper off shortly after sunset. Another shortwave approaches later tonight, firing up another round of showers and thunderstorms towards and after midnight. Conditions will remain warm/muggy in advance of the eastward- progressing remnants of Laura. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Summary...Humid Saturday with tropical moisture from the remnants of tropical system Laura and a strong cold front. Much drier and cooler Sunday and Monday, then turning much warmer and more humid with the chance of some convection Tuesday and especially Wednesday and Thursday. Synoptic Overview...As an upper-level trough amplifies from the Great Lakes region into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Saturday, low pressure will track to our north. As this occurs, the remnants of tropical system Laura will accelerate eastward as it gets caught up in the westerlies and moves through the Mid- Atlantic region Saturday. Some of the tropical moisture will get drawn into the eastward moving cold front. This cold front sweeps offshore into Sunday as the upper-level trough lifts across New England and surface high pressure builds in through Monday. The flow aloft is forecast to become westerly again quickly Monday night with surface high pressure shifting offshore of New England. A more return flow sets up allowing much warmer and more humid air to once again overspread our region for the second half of the week along with increasing convective chances. For Saturday...Low pressure tracks to our north pulling a strong cold front across our area later in the day and at night. Meanwhile, the leftover moisture from the remnants of tropical system Laura is forecast to get entrained into the frontal zone with the remnant center tracking to our south. Showers and embedded thunderstorms will be on the ingress as large scale forcing associated with an incoming upper-level trough and surface cold front overspreads the region. A surge in tropical moisture with precipitable water values reaching 2+ inches will result in pockets of heavy rain which may result in local flash flooding during enhanced rainfall rates. However, storm motions should be fast enough to limit this hazard. As the flow above the surface increase some through the day, effective shear should be sufficient to promote at least some convective organization in the form of small clusters or line segments. However, the forecast soundings overall show a rather saturated profile which would limit the instability. Therefore, the severe thunderstorm risk is dependent on how much boundary layer instability can be realized ahead of the cold front. If enough instability does become realized, then locally strong to damaging wind gusts should be the main threat with any more organized convection. As the front shifts offshore during Saturday night, drier air will start to arrive from the northwest. For Sunday and Monday...Much improved conditions as the upper- level trough lifts across New England Sunday with surface high pressure starting to build in from the northwest. This will result in a northwesterly breeze Sunday along with a much cooler and less humid air mass building in. The pleasant conditions continue Monday, however as the surface high slides offshore of New England Monday night warm air and moisture advections begin to arrive from the southwest. This may result in a few showers/thunder across mainly the western areas Monday night, although this scenario is much less certain. For Tuesday through Thursday...Our region will be getting within the warm sector as a warm front gradually works northward Tuesday night and Wednesday. This will result in increasing warmth and humidity once again, and with that comes at least some chance for some showers and thunderstorms. On Tuesday, dew points should climb through the 60s however a southeasterly low- level flow in advance of the warm front should keep temperatures on the lower side as we await the arrival of the warm sector. A cold front should then arrive sometime on Thursday with the potential for some showers and thunderstorms continuing ahead of and along it. The coverage of showers and storms along with the timing is of low confidence. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas. This afternoon and evening...Mainly VFR. SHRA/TSRA will develop and move in from the west. Confidence is low on timing, coverage, and placement, but the best window of opportunity appears to be from 20z to 03z. Storms will be capable of producing torrential downpours and strong wind gusts. West or southwest winds 5 to 15 kt. A few gusts to 20 kt may occur, especially at PHL and ACY. Tonight...Mainly VFR, though cannot rule out the possibility of some showers and storms (especially south of PHL). Light south or southwest winds. Low confidence. Outlook... Saturday...Sub-VFR conditions at times as some heavy showers with embedded thunderstorms move through. The prevailing conditions improve to VFR at night. Southwest winds around 10 knots, becoming west to northwest at night. Moderate confidence. Sunday and Monday...VFR. Northwest winds 10-15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots on Sunday, then winds becoming light and variable on Monday. Moderate confidence. Tuesday...Some mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms possible which may result in brief sub-VFR conditions. Southeasterly winds near 10 knots, becoming light and variable at night. Low confidence. && .MARINE... General sub-advisory conditions are expected through tonight, with west to southwest winds generally 5 to 15 kt and seas 2 to 4 feet. There is a chance of showers and storms this afternoon through tonight, with locally higher waves and strong wind gusts in their proximity. Outlook... Saturday and Sunday...A period of Small Craft Advisory conditions possible. A strong cold front along with the remnants of tropical system Laura will cross the region Saturday. The winds and seas will increase Saturday and this may linger into Sunday before subsiding. Monday and Tuesday...The conditions are anticipated to be below Small Craft Advisory conditions. Rip currents... The low risk for the formation of rip currents is expected to continue today. On Saturday, the risk for rip currents ma increase to moderate. && .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...None. && Synopsis...O'Hara Near Term...MPS Short Term...MPS Long Term...O'Hara Aviation...Johnson/MPS/O'Hara Marine...Johnson/MPS/O'Hara
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 DEZ001>003-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ016>023-027-PAZ060-061-070-071- 101>106-291800- New Castle-Kent-Inland Sussex-Cecil-Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot- Caroline-Salem-Gloucester-Camden-Northwestern Burlington-Ocean- Cumberland-Atlantic-Cape May-Southeastern Burlington-Berks-Lehigh- Delaware-Philadelphia-Western Chester-Eastern Chester- Western Montgomery-Eastern Montgomery-Upper Bucks-Lower Bucks- 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 464 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Delaware, northern Delaware, southern Delaware, northeast Maryland, southern New Jersey, east central 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms on Saturday will produce areas of heavy rain, and enhanced rainfall rates may result in local flash flooding. In addition, some thunderstorms could be severe with locally damaging winds the main threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. NJZ001-007>010-012-013-015-PAZ054-055-062-291800- Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Middlesex-Western Monmouth- Mercer-Carbon-Monroe-Northampton- 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New Jersey, northern New Jersey, northwest New Jersey, east central Pennsylvania and northeast Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight could produce locally damaging winds or flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms on Saturday will produce areas of heavy rain, and enhanced rainfall rates may result in local flash flooding. In addition, some thunderstorms could be severe with locally damaging winds the main threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. NJZ014-291800- Eastern Monmouth- 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New Jersey. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight could produce locally damaging winds or flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms on Saturday will produce areas of heavy rain, and enhanced rainfall rates may result in local flash flooding. In addition, some thunderstorms could be severe with locally damaging winds the main threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. DEZ004-NJZ024>026-291800- Delaware Beaches-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic- Coastal Ocean- 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 464 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Delaware and southern 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms on Saturday will produce areas of heavy rain, and enhanced rainfall rates may result in local flash flooding. In addition, some thunderstorms could be severe with locally damaging winds the main threat. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. ANZ430-431-451>455-291800- 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 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- 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 464 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters and Delaware Bay Waters. .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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Some thunderstorms Saturday may produce locally strong winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. ANZ450-291800- Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 nm- 144 PM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight could produce locally strong winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Some thunderstorms Saturday may produce locally strong winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. MPS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
932 AM EDT FRI AUG 28 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0840 PM TSTM WND DMG BETLEHEM 40.63N 75.37W
08/27/2020 NORTHAMPTON PA PUBLIC
SEVERAL TREES DOWN IN THE BETHLEHEM AREA.
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
TCDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1151 AM EDT FRI AUG 28 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0822 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NNW WEST READING 40.36N 75.96W
08/27/2020 BERKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER
TOPS OF 2 LARGE OAK TREES SNAPPED OFF ABOUT
30 FEET UP THE TRUNK. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
&&
STAARMANNThe Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 150 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:58 UTC.
68 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees and wires were downed near Mountain Rd in Albany Twp. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near Blue Rocks Rd in Lenhartsville. Time estimated from radar.
A tree and wires were downed on Old Route 22 west of Lenhartsville. Time estimated from radar.
Measured at Reading Regional Airport (KRDG).
Multiple power poles were downed on Kutztown Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Trees brought down power lines in the area. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed near the intersection of Hilltop Rd and Upper Van Reed Rd. Time estimated from radar.
A tree and wires were downed near the intersection of Commons Rd and Baldy Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Downed trees brought down power lines in the area. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near Walnut Ln. Time estimated from radar.
Tree limbs and power lines were reported down. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near Dautrich Rd. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed near the intersection of Woodland Ave and Carsonia Ave in Lower Alsace Twp. Time estimated from radar.
A tree and wires were downed on Friedensburg Rd in Alsace Twp. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near Basket Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed in the vicinity of Old Gibraltar Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed in the vicinity of Ruppert School Rd in Pike Twp. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near Vera Cruz Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near the intersection of Manatawny Rd and Diener Dr. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed in the vicinity of Pond Rd in Earl Twp. Time estimated from radar.
Tree limbs were downed in Tylersport. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed in the vicinity of Main St east of Monocacy. Time estimated from radar.
A downed tree blocked Deep Creek Rd near Hill Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed on Gerryville Pike near Brinckman Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Several reports of downed trees and wires south of Trumbauersville. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were reported down in the Harmonyville area. Time estimated from radar.
Several reports of downed trees and wires in Salford and Marlborough Twps. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed in the vicinity of Lower Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Numerous reports of trees and wires down between Telford and Chalfont with widespread power outages. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on Towamencin Ave near Second St. Time estimated from radar.
A downed tree blocked Manor Rd near Red Oak Dr. Time estimated from radar.
Tree limbs and power lines were downed near Messner Rd. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed into wires. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on Hadfield Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Widespread tree damage was reported. Time estimated from radar.
Trees were downed in the area, which was the start of a swath of tree damage. Time estimated from radar.
Several trees were reported down. Time estimated from radar.
A small area of hardwood trees were downed in what appears to have been a rear flank downdraft surge. A couple of trees were snapped 5 to 10 feet above the ground. Time estimated from radar.
Tree limbs and wires were downed near Shamrock Hill Ln. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near Second Ave in Parkesburg. Time estimated from radar.
A downed tree blocked westbound Route 30 Bypass near Bailey Rd. Time estimated from radar.
A tree and power lines were downed on Farnum Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Trees were downed in the area. Time estimated from radar.
A downed tree blocked King Rd near Ravine Rd. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on Lancaster Ave near Lockwood Ln. Time estimated from radar.
A downed tree blocked Moreland Ave near Maple Ave. Time estimated from radar.
Photos received of downed trees in the area. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on Forest Ln near Chester Rd. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on Jenkintown Rd near North Hills Ave. Time estimated from radar.
A downed tree blocked Wollerton Alley near Darlington St. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on Cornwallis Dr. Time estimated from radar.
Downed tree limbs blocked Militia Hill Rd near Joshua Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Trees were downed on Deer Run Rd and Valley Rd in Abington. Time estimated from radar.
Several reports of downed trees and power lines in the Richboro area. Time estimated from radar.
Trees and wires were downed near McMillan Dr in Avondale. Time estimated from radar.
A few reports of downed power lines near Windy Bush Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed near Moredon Rd. Time estimated from radar.
Trees were downed in the area. Time estimated from radar.
Several reports of downed tree limbs and power lines in the Millbourne area. Time estimated from radar.
A tree was downed on City Ave near Berwick Rd in Lower Merrion Twp. Time estimated from radar.
A few reports of downed power lines near and south of Cheltenham. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed near Wedgewood Dr in Fairville. Time estimated from radar.
A few reports of downed trees and wires near and west of Lima. Time estimated from radar.
Power lines were downed near Sedgley Ave. Time estimated from radar.
Several reports of downed trees and power lines in the Levittown and Tullytown area. Time estimated from radar.
A few reports of downed trees and wires in the Chester Heights and Aston Mills areas. Time estimated from radar.
Multiple trees were downed in the area. Time estimated from radar.
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: 910067, 910068, 910069, 910065, 910070, 910071, 910072, 910073, 910074, 910075, 910076, 910077, 910078, 910079, 910080, 910081, 910082, 910083, 910084, 910086, 910087, 910088, 910089, 910090, 910066, 910091, 910092, 910094, 910095, 910096, 910097, 910173, 910098, 910100, 910101, 910102, 910104, 910106, 910107, 910109, and more.