The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred brought heavy rain and strong thunderstorms to central Pennsylvania, along with a handful of tornadoes.
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.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred brought heavy rain and strong thunderstorms to central Pennsylvania, along with a handful of tornadoes.
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 18, 5:32 AM EST, 4 hours 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 632 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021 .SYNOPSIS... The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred will lift north across Pennsylvania later today. A cut off upper low will then drift southeast across the region late this week and through the upcoming weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... The latest operational and ensemble guidance track the remnants of TS Fred across northwest Pa late today. The most widespread and heaviest rainfall is expected to occur along and just to the west of that track, with a severe weather threat along and east of the track. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for all of central PA from Wednesday into early Thursday morning for a general 1-3 inches of rain. However, the bulk of latest guidance indicates the greatest risk will be over roughly the northwest half of the forecast area. Hi-res guidance still supports the idea of localized amounts of around 5 inches where southeast flow is forced to ascend the ridgetops of the Appalachians. Strong low to mid level flow, combined with a moist tropical airmass, could yield a few storms that possess transient supercell structure this afternoon. The primary severe wx threat will be localized damaging winds and an isolated tornado, primarily along and to the east of the track of Fred's remnants. Model consensus supports rain tapering off from southwest to northeast tonight, as the remnant low lifts into upstate NY. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Surface ridging and a slightly drier air mass will work into the region late this week. However, a cut off upper low over the eastern Grt Lks is progged to drift southeast toward western Pa, keeping the chance of mainly PM showers in the forecast. GEFS and ECENS plumes support temperatures remaining a bit above climo for late August. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... Upper level trough will still be over the area through the upcoming weekend, resulting in a daily chance for pop up showers or a few rumbles of thunder. The best chance for precipitation each day will be in the afternoon and early evening. Highs will range from the mid 70s to mid 80s, generally around seasonal averages for mid to late August. && .AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... MVFR/IFR continues this morning with widespread showers. A brief lull in the showers later this morning will yield improving conditions, but only for a short time. Thunderstorms and showers return for the afternoon and evening hours, bringing back MVFR/IFR conditions. Ceilings will be low and restrictions will remain through Wednesday night. Outlook... Thu-Fri...Restrictions likely with rounds of showers and isolated t-storms. Sat-Sun...Restrictions possible with scattered showers and isolated t-storms. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for PAZ004>006-010>012- 017>019-024>028-033>037-041-042-045-046-049>053-056>059- 063>066. && SYNOPSIS...Fitzgerald NEAR TERM...Fitzgerald SHORT TERM...Fitzgerald LONG TERM...Lambert/Evanego/Travis AVIATION...Gartner/Gutierrez
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 440 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021 PAZ004>006-010-011-017-024-033-037-042-190845- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset-Tioga- Sullivan- 440 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ012-018-019-025>028-034>036-041-045-046-049>053-056>059-063>066- 190845- Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon- Mifflin-Juniata-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Northern Lycoming- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland- Adams-York-Lancaster- 440 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds 60 mph or greater are possible in a few spots this afternoon or early evening. An isolated weak, short-lived tornado is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
950 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021
PAZ034-181445-
Bedford PA-
950 AM EDT Wed Aug 18 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Bedford
County through 1045 AM EDT...
At 950 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Buffalo Mills, moving north at 35 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...
Bedford, Osterburg, Buffalo Mills, St. Clairsville, Blue Knob State
Park, Queen, Cessna, Lake Gordon, Hyndman, Schellsburg, Manns Choice,
New Paris and Blue Knob Ski Resort.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm 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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in State College PA.
&&
LAT...LON 3980 7877 3983 7875 4006 7876 4008 7873
4024 7866 4026 7864 4028 7865 4033 7862
4029 7850 4025 7845 4029 7844 4027 7838
3978 7859
TIME...MOT...LOC 1350Z 189DEG 28KT 3989 7870
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ColbertThe State College radar (KCCX), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:36 UTC.
23 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Bedford.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires just north of Bedford.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees across Johnstown Road near Butler Hollow Road to the west of East Freedom.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Shermans Dale.
Numerous flooded roads reported around Williamsburg.
The Morrisons Cove Herald reported a house foundation was washed away due to flooding leaving the structure unihabitable. Road damage was also reported along Route 866.
From https://www.mcheraldonline.com/story/2021/08/26/news/flooding-in-williamsburg-a-familiar-scene/9107.html .
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires west of Lock Haven.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires north of Newport.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down several trees near the intersection of Route 30 and Route 94 east of New Oxford.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on Fileys Road west of Siddonsburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires north of Chambersburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires east of Waynesboro.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on wires near Pine Grove Furnace.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires in Yeagertown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on wires in Duncannon.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees on wires west of Cashtown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires near Halifax.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires west of New Kingstown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires near Mount Holly Springs.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees east of Waynesville. A funnel cloud was also reported.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires in South Hanover.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires near Millheim.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires southeast of Mount Joy.
There were reports of multiple cars stuck in flooded roadways. PA-462 was closed in both directions between Belmont Road and Eastern Boulevard in Springettsbury Township.
PennDOT cameras showed Interstate 83 at Exit 19: PA-462 is flooded with several stranded cars (842 pm EDT).
Video of some of the flooding was found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Gm3007vk8 .
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires south of Lititz.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires near Willow Street.
Water rescues reported in Lancaster city, along with numerous flooded roadways.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, August 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: 977186, 977188, 977191, 977821, 976336, 976338, 977824, 977823, 977825, 977598, 977851, 977607, 977606, 977608, 977609, 977829, 977610, 977826, 977827, 977611, 977830, 977846, 977849, 976340, 977848, 977850, 976350.