Gusty winds, associated with a strong low pressure system, were reported and measured across the Ohio River Valley on December 11th. The highest wind gusts occurred as a concentrated line of showers, orientated along the frontal boundary, passed through the area during the early afternoon.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Gusty winds, associated with a strong low pressure system, were reported and measured across the Ohio River Valley on December 11th. The highest wind gusts occurred as a concentrated line of showers, orientated along the frontal boundary, passed through the area during the early afternoon.
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 Dec 11, 11:29 AM EST, 1 hour 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1129 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
Strong wind, rain, and embedded thunderstorms will accompany the
arrival a cold front today, with the return of dry and seasonable
conditions Sunday through early next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Recent wly wind shift in sfc obs, in conjunction with mosaic radar
reflectivity, suggests a sfc cold front located near the western OH
border moving east toward the forecast area. Pre-frontal showers
with some, embedded storms continue to plague the immediate area
within the warm sector, with occasional bouts of gusty wind possible
in more organized convection, denoted via local SPS issuances.
Though, confidence in widespread, gusty wind will increase with the
arrival of that cold front this afternoon as sfc based
instability/deeper mixing is realized. Recent sfc obs across MI, IN,
and OH confirm this as wind gusts in excess of 46 mph are being
realized. Gusty wind should persist even after the passage of the
cold front as llvl lapse rates steepen and mix down strong wind near
850mb in conjunction with a large pressure gradient overhead. For the
reasons listed above, a Wind Advisory remains in effect for the
entire forecast area through midnight.
Despite widespread rain, flooding concerns should be limited overall
due to rapid system progression, lack of sustained moisture
convergence, and convective element speed.
Very mild temperature from earlier this morning will lower through
the remainder of the day, trending back toward average values
overnight. Cold advection may support the changeover of remnant rain
showers to snow showers after sunset, though little to no
accumulation is expected provided increased subsidence aloft.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Broad central CONUS high pressure should begin to build Sunday, with
a return to dry and seasonable conditions provided nw flow aloft.
Flow should become more flattered by Monday in response to the
interaction of a northern stream, active shortwave pattern across
Canada and broadening sern CONUS high pressure, with subtle height
rises supporting the return of above average temperature by Tuesday.
Otherwise, dry conditions are expected to prevail through the
period.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Long range guidance suggests the eventual breakdown of high pressure
by Tues night as low pressure deepens and ejects out from the Four-
Corners region. Moist advection within return, sw flow on the van of
that low should support periodic precipitation chances, mostly in the
form of rain showers, provided continued, mild temperature values.
&&
.AVIATION /16Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A swath of light to moderate rain showers with VFR/MVFR restrictions
exiting east of the region will be quickly followed up by another
line of shra and iso tstm ahead of an incoming cold front this
aftn/eve. A tight sfc gradient will yield 20-30kt SSW winds ahead of
the boundary, and 30-40kt W winds after fropa (with added boost of
steepening lvl lapse rates).
Dry conditions and an MVFR stratus deck will develop quickly in the
wake of FROPA, with wind gradually diminishing as llvl jet and sfc
gradient weaken. Dry air and subsidence is expected to result in a
W-E clearing sky/VFR conditions Sunday morning.
.Outlook...
VFR should return Sun thru Wed under high pres.
&&
.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Wind Advisory until midnight EST tonight for PAZ007>009-013>016-
020>023-029-031-073>076.
OH...Wind Advisory until midnight EST tonight for OHZ039>041-048>050-
057>059-068-069.
WV...Wind Advisory until midnight EST tonight for WVZ001>004-012-021-
509>514.
&&Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1209 PM EST Sat Dec 11 2021 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>023-029- 031-073>076-WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-121715- 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- Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette- Higher Elevations of Fayette-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel- Marion-Monongalia- Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston- Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker- 1209 PM EST Sat Dec 11 2021 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .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. Wind Advisory. In addition, an isolated severe thunderstorm with gusts to 60 mph is possible during the afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. 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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
750 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
PAZ007-111315-
Mercer PA-
750 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY THROUGH
815 AM EST...
At 750 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sharpsville, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Hermitage, Sharon, Sharpsville, Greenville, Stoneboro, Sandy Lake,
Clark, Jamestown, Fredonia, New Lebanon, Sheakleyville, and Maurice K
Goddard State Park.
This includes Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 126
and 137.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4136 8000 4121 8052 4146 8052 4149 8048
4148 8016 4149 8000
TIME...MOT...LOC 1250Z 244DEG 46KT 4134 8048
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
815 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
PAZ007-008-111345-
Venango PA-Mercer PA-
815 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN MERCER AND
NORTHWESTERN VENANGO COUNTIES THROUGH 845 AM EST...
At 814 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southeast of Atlantic, or 13 miles west of Franklin, moving
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Oil City, Franklin, Sugarcreek, Hasson Heights, Rouseville,
Cooperstown, Woodland Heights, Utica, New Lebanon, Sheakleyville,
Maurice K Goddard State Park, and Oil Creek State Park.
This includes Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 129
and 137.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4141 7970 4135 8019 4146 8022 4148 8019
4149 8000 4150 8000 4150 7998 4151 7998
4151 7996 4154 7994 4154 7992 4156 7991
4156 7989 4157 7989 4157 7987 4158 7987
4160 7983 4162 7983 4162 7959
TIME...MOT...LOC 1314Z 243DEG 47KT 4143 8011
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1018 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
PAZ031-075-076-WVZ012-021-509>511-111545-
Fayette Ridges PA-Greene PA-Fayette PA-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston WV-Marion WV-
Monongalia WV-Wetzel WV-Preston WV-
1018 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT GREENE...SOUTHWESTERN FAYETTE...
MONONGALIA...NORTHEASTERN WETZEL...NORTHWESTERN PRESTON AND MARION
COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 AM EST...
At 1018 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Waynesburg to Mannington. Movement was
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Morgantown, Fairmont, Uniontown, Waynesburg, Westover, Mannington,
Star City, Masontown, Pleasant Valley, Winfield, Fairdale, and
Jefferson Boro.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 68 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 16.
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 0 and 16.
Interstate 79 in West Virginia between mile markers 130 and 160.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3941 8011 3939 8020 3944 8028 3946 8045
3984 8044 3998 8001 3985 7964 3942 7989
3944 7989 3945 7994 3940 8003 3939 8009
TIME...MOT...LOC 1518Z 227DEG 69KT 3985 8027 3952 8032
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1046 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
PAZ031-073>076-WVZ021-509>512-111615-
Fayette Ridges PA-Westmoreland Ridges PA-Greene PA-Westmoreland PA-
Fayette PA-Eastern Preston WV-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston WV-Marion WV-
Monongalia WV-Preston WV-
1046 AM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN WESTMORELAND...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENE...FAYETTE...EASTERN MONONGALIA...NORTHERN PRESTON
AND EASTERN MARION COUNTIES THROUGH 1115 AM EST...
At 1046 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Perryopolis to 6 miles south of
Brookhaven. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Morgantown, Uniontown, Latrobe, Connellsville, Westover, Kingwood,
Mount Pleasant, Scottdale, McChesneytown-Loyalhanna, Youngwood,
Derry, and Lawson Heights.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 68 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 31.
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 48 and 57.
Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 74 and 100.
Interstate 79 in West Virginia between mile markers 146 and 150.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4012 7917 4009 7926 3990 7940 3985 7942
3979 7936 3978 7939 3974 7941 3972 7939
3972 7948 3950 7948 3944 7996 3955 8001
4012 7983 4028 7956 4038 7922 4036 7900
TIME...MOT...LOC 1546Z 235DEG 58KT 4006 7976 3952 7991
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1214 PM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
OHZ039-048-057-111745-
Tuscarawas OH-Coshocton OH-Muskingum OH-
1214 PM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
...STRONG SHOWERS WILL IMPACT COSHOCTON...NORTHWESTERN MUSKINGUM AND
TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 PM EST...
At 1213 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong convective showers
along a line extending from Berlin to near Hanover. Movement was
northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Zanesville, New Philadelphia, Dover, Coshocton, Newcomerstown,
Strasburg, West Lafayette, Sugarcreek, North Zanesville, Dresden,
Frazeysburg, and Bolivar.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Ohio near mile marker 143, and between mile
markers 145 and 152.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 66 and 95.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms 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 3995 8223 3995 8220 4045 8219 4044 8167
4063 8167 4067 8146 4065 8134 4045 8135
3997 8202 3984 8217 3991 8216 3991 8223
TIME...MOT...LOC 1713Z 239DEG 39KT 4055 8177 4012 8224
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1247 PM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
OHZ039-040-048-057-058-111815-
Guernsey OH-Tuscarawas OH-Coshocton OH-Muskingum OH-Carroll OH-
1247 PM EST Sat Dec 11 2021
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN GUERNSEY...COSHOCTON...
MUSKINGUM...WESTERN CARROLL AND TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES THROUGH 115 PM
EST...
At 1247 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near East Sparta to Zanesville. Movement was
east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Zanesville, New Philadelphia, Dover, Coshocton, Cambridge,
Uhrichsville, Carrollton, Newcomerstown, Minerva, Dennison,
Strasburg, and New Concord.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Ohio between mile markers 148 and 178.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 48 and 94.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3990 8216 4045 8191 4044 8167 4063 8167
4067 8146 4067 8145 4066 8144 4065 8145
4065 8124 4072 8124 4073 8109 4059 8109
4052 8120 3976 8177 3984 8217
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 249DEG 63KT 4063 8142 3994 8201
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Up to 48 mph was measured at the Zanesville Airport.
Up to 56 mph was measured in the New Philadelphia area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, December 2021
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: 996316, 996317.