An upper level trough advanced across the Great Lakes on July 19th. DCAPE was |favorable across our region; 800 to 1000J/kg.
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 PBZ wrote it up.
An upper level trough advanced across the Great Lakes on July 19th. DCAPE was |favorable across our region; 800 to 1000J/kg. Therefore, cold cores aloft rushing down to the surface could produce 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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 19, 4:14 PM EST, 1 hour 44 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 514 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 .SYNOPSIS... Thunderstorms will move across the region this evening and possibly into the overnight hours. Somewhat cooler, drier weather will then follow through the first half of the work week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... New update was issued as the Heat Advisory has been cancelled. Previous... Changes for the eve update included the increase of precip probs to likely numbers for tonight as a broad upper trough/frontal zone will be providing sufficient forcing-for-ascent/lift for widespread showers and storms. The primary question is of severe potential as very warm air in the mid levels is inhibiting updraft explosiveness. Still, a dry swath of air around 15 to 20 kft may provide sufficient cooling for some downburst cores to develop and generate damaging gusts. Slight/scattered risk for severe thus continues. Otherwise, high precipital water on the order of 1.5 inches, warm rain process, and local training of cells may contribute to a isolated flash flood threat, especially for urban areas. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Convection should clear the forecast area by dawn Monday. Some residual activity may be possible along the frontal boundary as it nears West Virginia and Maryland but intensity/coverage should be less at this point with the loss of instability aloft. Deep layer zonal flow will resume after the departure of Sunday's shortwave trough. This parallel sfc boundary-flow aloft will result in the cold front stalling out and washing out (becoming more diffuse w/ time) somewhere in the vicinity of our southern counties. A few convective showers are possible near the boundary during peak heating Monday, mainly due to orographic lift. Otherwise, anticipate comparatively-cooler and tranquil weather on Monday, with highs topping out around 90 (dew points 5-10 degrees below Sunday will make this feel quite a bit better). && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... A series of vorticity maxima embedded within quasi-zonal flow aloft will traverse across the Ohio Valley Tuesday and Wednesday before troughing deepens across the northeast CONUS on Thursday with a more substantial low pressure system and attendant cold front. Each day will feature a chance of thunderstorms, along with seasonably warm conditions. After the cold front passage on Thursday night, near or below-average temperature is then possible for Friday and Saturday. && .AVIATION /21Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Increasing coverage of convection with a frontal zone encroachment will degrade conditions through the evening. Expect cig restrictions and at least showers to persist into early Monday before building high pres returns VFR to all terminals. .Outlook... The next chc for genl restrictions will come with a mid week shortwave trough. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MD...None. OH...None. PA...None. WV...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 520 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029- 031-073>076-WVZ001>004-012-021-509-202130- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest- Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong- Indiana-Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-Westmoreland Ridges-Fayette- Fayette Ridges-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia- 520 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, southwest Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are likely through this evening. Some storms may produce damaging wind gusts. Locally heavy rainfall is expected with isolated flooding possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. MDZ001-WVZ510>514-202130- Garrett-Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston- Preston-Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker- 520 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Maryland and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
348 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
PAZ007-192015-
Mercer-
348 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND AND HEAVY
RAIN WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MERCER COUNTY...
At 347 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Atlantic, or 15
miles southwest of Meadville, moving east at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville... Jamestown...
Sheakleyville... Maurice K Goddard State Park...
This includes Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 133
and 137.
Torrential rainfall also is occurring with this storm and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 4149 8028 4148 8013 4142 8011 4140 8043
4149 8045
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 259DEG 17KT 4147 8034Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
552 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
OHZ057-192215-
Muskingum-
552 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND WILL AFFECT
WEST CENTRAL MUSKINGUM COUNTY...
At 552 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Thornport, or 8
miles southeast of Heath, moving east at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Gratiot...
This includes Interstate 70 in Ohio near mile marker 143, and
between mile
markers 145 and 149.
LAT...LON 3995 8223 3995 8220 4003 8219 4004 8215
3994 8210 3987 8215 3987 8217 3991 8216
3991 8223
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 277DEG 18KT 3994 8233Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
559 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
PAZ007-192230-
Mercer-
559 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND WILL AFFECT
NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY...
At 559 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Pymatuning
Central, or 17 miles north of Sharpsville, moving east at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville... Jamestown...
New Lebanon... Sheakleyville...
Maurice K Goddard State Park...
This includes Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 131
and 137.
LAT...LON 4148 8013 4149 8012 4149 8002 4142 8002
4133 8038 4133 8052 4149 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 284DEG 42KT 4152 8048Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
626 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
PAZ007-008-013-192300-
Venango-Lawrence-Mercer-
626 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND
WILL AFFECT MERCER...VENANGO AND NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES...
At 625 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Guys Mills to 6 miles southeast of
Ravenna. Movement was east at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Hermitage... Sharon...
Oil City... Franklin...
Sharpsville... Greenville...
Sugarcreek... Farrell...
New Wilmington... Mercer...
Pulaski... Hasson Heights...
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 115 and 138.
Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 0 and 26.
Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 4 and 8.
LAT...LON 4140 7954 4122 7998 4103 8052 4143 8052
4149 8038 4149 8000 4160 7983 4162 7983
4162 7954
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 276DEG 32KT 4158 8001 4109 8116Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
631 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
OHZ057-192300-
Muskingum-
631 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND WILL AFFECT
SOUTHERN MUSKINGUM COUNTY...
At 631 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near South
Zanesville, or near Zanesville, moving east at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Zanesville... South Zanesville...
Philo... Fultonham...
Chandlersville... Ruraldale...
Cannelville... High Hill...
Duncan Falls... East Fultonham...
Blue Rock State Park...
LAT...LON 3994 8217 3994 8173 3993 8173 3993 8171
3976 8174 3977 8207 3982 8208 3982 8217
3991 8216 3991 8217
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 275DEG 31KT 3985 8206Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
656 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
PAZ007>009-015-016-192345-
Jefferson-Forest-Clarion-Venango-Mercer-
656 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND AND
HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL MERCER...VENANGO...NORTHWESTERN
JEFFERSON...NORTHERN CLARION AND FOREST COUNTIES...
At 656 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Enterprise to Oil City to 10 miles
north of Grove City. Movement was east at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Oil City... Franklin...
Marienville... Knox...
Sugarcreek... Tionesta...
Hasson Heights... Stoneboro...
Seneca... Polk...
Sandy Lake... Emlenton...
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 123 and 126.
Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 27 and 40, and
near mile marker 48.
Torrential rainfall also is occurring with these storms and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 4154 7913 4127 7913 4118 7973 4118 8001
4123 8005 4129 8027 4145 7980 4162 7969
4163 7915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 288DEG 26KT 4156 7961 4142 7970 4131 8008The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:57 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Local fire department reported multiple trees and power lines down across Pulaski Township.
Local law enforcement reported a tree down on Bedford Road.
Local law enforcement reported wires down.
Local law enforcement reported wires down in this vicinity.
Local law enforcement reported a large tree down and blocking the road.
A local 911 Call Center reported wires down on East Reynolds Street and South Jefferson Street.
A local 911 Call Center reported a tree down on New Butler Road.
A local 911 Call Center reported a tree down with wires in the area of 1451 County Line Road.
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, July 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: 904041, 904042, 904043, 904044, 904045, 904046, 904047, 904048.