Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, July 19, 2020

Name: Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, July 19, 2020
Start: 2020-07-19T15:10
End: 2020-07-19T17:13
Location: Pennsylvania

July 19, 2020 · NWS CLE · 4 events in 1 county or zone

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS CLE wrote it up.

A surface low moved northeastward across James Bay during the early afternoon through early evening of the 19th. Simultaneously, the trailing cold front swept southeastward from northern Lower Michigan and central Illinois to Lake Huron, far-northwest Ohio, and west-central Indiana. Ahead of the front, scattered thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts occurred within a humid warm sector across northwest Pennsylvania. The warm sector exhibited primarily moderate to strong instability and moderate DCAPE amidst moderate vertical wind shear.

What forecasters said that day

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 Cleveland, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 19, 2:41 PM EST, 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 19, 2:41 PM EST, 29 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
341 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will become nearly stationary across the Ohio
Valley through Monday. The stationary front will lift north as a
warm front on Tuesday. Another cold front will move east across
the area on Wednesday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
The weather forecast this afternoon and going into this evening
has been challenging with the scattered and unorganized
convection. High res short term model guidance has been very
little help with no clear solutions to latch on what is going on
with the convection that is out there. There is moderate MLCape
values around 2000-2500 J/KG with modest Bulk shear values.
There is no defined surface boundary for a good focus of
convection at the moment. The weak cold front is still way back
west of the region. With that said, we will broad brush the
forecast for through the evening with scattered strong to
isolated severe convection moving across the area. High res
model output still indicate clusters and a couple mini bow light
segments with the orientation of the convection. Any surges with
the bow segments will have the best potential of having damaging
wind gusts. Some hail could be possible but freezing levels are
very high. PW values are high and the way the thunderstorms
could training over localized areas from west to east this
evening could lead to an isolated heavy rainfall and flooding
threat. Most of the convection and showers will be decreasing
and moving south of the area by 02z this evening.

The weak cold front will shift the winds to more of a west
direction late tonight and slightly drier air will move in
briefing for Monday. Dewpoints will be down to the lower 60s
instead of the lower to middle 70s like today. Temperatures
will be lower in the 80s on Monday with a fairly nice day. There
will be some high cloudiness in the southern sky but fair skies
expected. Surface winds will be light and variable through
Monday night along with quiet weather.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Nearly zonal flow persists across the area early in this forecast
period but amplification of the upper level ridge will take place
over the northern Plains states by Wednesday night.  This will cause
an upper level low pressure system to develop over west central
Ontario, Canada.  This will result in surface low pressure that will
develop over the northern Plains and then move east into the
northern Great Lakes by Wednesday night and then east of the area
Thursday.  A warm front will lift north of the lake Wednesday
followed by a cold front Thursday. In the mean time, surface high
pressure will move east across the Great Lakes Tuesday ahead of the
surface low pressure system.  Moisture will push north out of the
Gulf of Mexico toward the area and arrive just ahead of the low
pressure system.  Once the cold front moves southeast and east of
the area, drier air will begin to spill into the area from the
northwest with the high pressure.

The threat for showers and thunderstorms will be ongoing in the
presence of the low pressure system and day time instability and
present moisture Tuesday afternoon through Thursday.  If front moves
across the area faster than anticipated, then forecast area may wind
up dry Thursday.

Temperatures will continue to be on the warm side Tuesday with highs
in the upper 80s to near 90 degrees across much of the area.
Exception will be northwest Pennsylvania with highs in the lower to
middle 80s.  Highs Wednesday and Thursday will be a tad cooler in
the middle 80s west and lower 80s east.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Amplification of the northern Plains ridge will continue to take
place and shift east slowly during this forecast period.  This will
return the area into another surge of much warmer air as we head
into the latter part of next weekend.  Surface high pressure will
build east across the central Great Lakes by Friday and then become
absorbed into high pressure over the deep south.  The forecast area
will pinched in between surface anticyclonic flow as a result of the
high pressure to the south and cyclonic flow due to the low pressure
system to the northeast near Maine by Sunday.  Increasing 1000-500
MB thicknesses will shift east across the local area resulting in
heating once again.  Some more limited moisture will begin to return
to the area by Saturday and Sunday.  This will result in decreasing
chances for showers Thursday night and then begin to ramp up again
from west to east Friday. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm will
be a threat for the rest of the weekend.  Temperatures will be
gradually warming back to the middle and upper 80s during this
period for highs and lows in the 60s to lower 70s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z Sunday THROUGH Friday/...
Mainly VFR conditions are expected with the exception for this
afternoon and evening in and around scattered strong to severe
convection. We have mentioned this potential in a TEMPO groups
between 20z and 02z from northwest to southeast across the area.
Ceilings and visibilities may drop briefly to MVFR. All
convection will decrease and move out of the area later tonight.
VFR is expected for tomorrow. Winds will be southwesterly and
gusty this afternoon 10 to 15 knots. Gusts will be higher at
around 20 knots. Higher gusts of 30 to 45 knots could be
possible in and near thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
Winds will relax from the west tonight and tomorrow around 5 to
10 knots.

Outlook...Occasional non-VFR possible with scattered showers
and thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday.

&&

.MARINE...
A small craft advisory remains in effect across the area as westerly
flow continues to produce winds 15 to 25 knots across the area.
Winds will diminish Monday and become light and variable through
Tuesday night. Otherwise, light and variable flow expected Thursday
and Friday and no other headlines expected.

&&

.CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for OHZ003-006>014-
     017>023-027>033-036>038-047-089.
PA...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for LEZ147>149.
     Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for
     LEZ142>146.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Griffin
NEAR TERM...Griffin
SHORT TERM...Lombardy
LONG TERM...Lombardy
AVIATION...Griffin
MARINE...Lombardy

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 19, 1:52 PM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
252 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

LEZ061-142>149-162>169-201900-
Lake Erie open waters from Ripley to Buffalo NY-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Maumee Bay to Reno Beach OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Reno Beach to The Islands OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from The Islands to Vermilion OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Vermilion to Avon Point OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Avon Point to Willowick OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Willowick to Geneva-on-the Lake OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut OH-
Lake Erie nearshore waters from Conneaut OH to Ripley NY-
Lake Erie open waters from Maumee Bay to Reno Beach OH-
Lake Erie open waters from Reno Beach to The Islands OH-
Lake Erie open waters from The Islands to Vermilion OH-
Lake Erie open waters from Vermilion to Avon Point OH-
Lake Erie open waters from Avon Point to Willowick OH-
Lake Erie open waters from Willowick to Geneva-on-the-Lake OH-
Lake Erie open waters from Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut OH-
Lake Erie open waters from Conneaut OH to Ripley NY-
252 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Lake Erie, eastern
Lake Erie and western Lake Erie.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a slight risk for strong to severe storms this afternoon and
evening with the primary threat being damaging winds and heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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. Please relay
any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

OHZ003-006>014-017>023-027>033-036>038-047-089-201900-
Lucas-Wood-Ottawa-Sandusky-Erie-Lorain-Cuyahoga-Lake-Geauga-
Ashtabula Inland-Hancock-Seneca-Huron-Medina-Summit-Portage-Trumbull-
Wyandot-Crawford-Richland-Ashland-Wayne-Stark-Mahoning-Marion-Morrow-
Holmes-Knox-Ashtabula Lakeshore-
252 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio, northeast
Ohio and northwest Ohio.

.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.

   Heat Advisory.

There is a slight risk for strong to severe storms this afternoon and
evening with the primary threat being damaging winds and heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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. Please relay
any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

PAZ001>003-201900-
Northern Erie-Southern Erie-Crawford-
252 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a slight risk for strong to severe storms this afternoon and
evening with the primary threat being damaging winds and heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

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. Please relay
any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 19, 12:57 PM EST, 2 hours 13 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
157 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

PAZ001-002-191900-
Northern Erie-Southern Erie-
157 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN ERIE COUNTY...

At 157 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Albion, or 9
miles east of Conneaut, moving east at 25 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Erie, Edinboro, Girard, Albion, Northwest Harborcreek, Lawrence Park,
Wesleyville, Lake City, Cranesville, Platea, McKean and Avonia.

LAT...LON 4185 8000 4185 8052 4198 8051 4201 8043
      4204 8031 4211 8017 4217 8000
TIME...MOT...LOC 1757Z 278DEG 21KT 4195 8038

Lombardy

Local storm report, Jul 19, 1:06 PM EST, 2 hours 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
206 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0140 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 3 NE AVONIA             42.08N 80.24W
07/19/2020  M41 MPH          LEZ149             PA   PUBLIC

            MEASURED BY MARINA. TIME ESTIMATED VIA
            RADAR.

&&

ANM

Local storm report, Jul 19, 1:21 PM EST, 1 hour 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
221 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0148 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 3 WNW CLEVELAND         41.50N 81.73W
07/19/2020  M55 MPH          LEZ146             OH   MESONET

            MESONET STATION XCLE CLEVELAND - EDGEWATER.

&&

ANM

Local storm report, Jul 19, 1:22 PM EST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH
222 PM EDT SUN JUL 19 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0203 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 3 N CLEVELAND           41.52N 81.68W
07/19/2020  M43 MPH          CUYAHOGA           OH   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KBKL CLEVELAND.

&&

ANM

Special weather statement, Jul 19, 1:32 PM EST, 1 hour 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
232 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

PAZ002-191915-
Southern Erie-
232 PM EDT Sun Jul 19 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ERIE COUNTY...

At 231 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Corry, or 25
miles southwest of Jamestown, moving east at 60 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Corry, Union City, Wattsburg and Elgin.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 4185 7961 4185 7996 4204 7993 4204 7976
      4200 7975 4200 7962 4199 7961
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 270DEG 51KT 4195 7968

Lombardy

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:11 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: July 19, 3:10 PM EST
Where: Crawford County, 0.71 mi SSE of Titusville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.621, -79.672

Trees down in Titusville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: July 19, 4:45 PM EST
Where: Crawford County, Espyville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.600, -80.470

Trees down in Espyville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: July 19, 5:09 PM EST
Where: Crawford County, 2 mi SSE of Meadville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.603, -80.135

Trees down two miles SSE of Meadville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crawford

When: July 19, 5:13 PM EST
Where: Crawford County, 0.33 mi ENE of Cochranton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.522, -80.044

Trees down along PA 173 just northeast of downtown Cochranton. Road closed.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Pennsylvania, July 2020

Sources

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: 904389, 904219, 904390, 904391.