A nearly stationary front remained to the north of the region on July 7th. An upper trough dug across the Great Lakes during the daytime hours as well.
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.
A nearly stationary front remained to the north of the region on July 7th. An upper trough dug across the Great Lakes during the daytime hours as well. While better upper-level forcing remained to the north, return flow increased between this trough and the tropical system Elsa to the southeast. An abundant amount of moisture and warm air was thus funneled into our region. Deep-layer shear was weak, but enough instability and dry air aloft was present to promote many instances of damaging wind gusts. Damage to trees and power poles was fairly widespread, and there were a few instances of structural damage as well. Planes were overturned by wind at Butler Airport, and Edgewood Borough declared a local state of emergency due to thunderstorm wind damage.
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms also lead to flash flooding concerns in the urbanized areas of Allegheny County. Several instances of stuck vehicles were reported, and several homes were evacuated for a time in Bridgeville due to creek flooding.
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 7, 12:45 PM EST, 1 hour 25 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 145 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 .SYNOPSIS... Showers and thunderstorms will be possible through Friday with the gradual passage of a low pressure system. . && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Warm, humid conditions will continue this afternoon with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Effective shear is weak (around 20kts or less) but with CAPE values >2000J/kg and a relatively high delta theta-e min...there is potential for damaging winds via downbursts with stronger updrafts. Convection will largely wane during the evening with loss of heating, but with the approaching trough as warm, moist advection continues, with model noting modest elevated instability. As a result, iso/sct showers and thunderstorms should continue overnight. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... (Limited) diurnal heating and the approach/passage of a sfc cold front will reinvigorate convection Thursday, with most locations likely seeing rain. Little insolation will minimize instability and mute any severe threat, but continued heavy rainfall may cause issues, especially over locations that previously received heavy rainfall. This threat could be further heightened if the region (notably over southwest PA into northern WV) sees convective enhancement due to the northward movement/position of Tropical Storm Elsa. This will have to be monitored moving forward. Precipitation will taper off Thursday night as the upper trough (and Elsa) move east and weak dry advection develops within brief westerly flow. An additional shortwave will quickly follow Friday and tap into the residual moisture in place to create another round of mostly scattered showers and an isolated thunderstorm. Temperature Friday will be near seasonal averages due to cold advection and only broken sunshine. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... A perturbed quasi-zonal flow may result in a series of troughs moving through the upper Ohio River Valley into next week, providing periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms and seasonable temperature. Model to model and run to run differences mean this period is fairly low confidence and patience will be needed before any finer details can be sussed out on actual temperature/precipitation trends, let alone severe/flash flood threats. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Shower and thunderstorm coverage will increase through the afternoon with the approach of an upper trough, with eastern OH/northwest PA the favored locations for convection. The presence of dry air aloft means any storms that develop could produce brief and gusty wind while the humid environment will support heavy rain that can quickly create IFR visibilities. The one limiting factor to monitor is warm air aloft that may suppress some convection, creating a convective hole from PIT southwest to the OH/WV border. Will maintain thunder mention, but will keep convective window small. While convection should diminish around 00z/02z tonight, the continued presence of the trough and a moist environment means iso/sct showers are likely to continue through the overnight period. Though lightning will be possible, confidence will be too low for any one terminal impact, so avoided inclusion for now. Expected cloud cover in between showers should mitigate any fog threat, though moisture pooling ahead of an incoming cold front may generate areas of MVFR/IFR cigs. The approach and eventual passage of the cold front will reinvigorate storms Thursday, with restrictions likely under any storm. .Outlook... Periodic restrictions will remain possible into Friday as precipitation chances return with a quick hitting trough, then high pressure should bring about VFR conditions Saturday. Periodic rain and restrictions are possible with an active pattern heading into next week. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 110 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 OHZ041-PAZ007>009-013>016-020-022-023-081715- Columbiana-Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Butler-Clarion- Jefferson PA-Beaver-Armstrong-Indiana- 110 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, southwest Pennsylvania and western Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening, with a few potentially becoming severe and produce damaging wind. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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. OHZ039-040-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ021-029-031-073>076-WVZ001>004- 012-021-509>514-081715- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-Muskingum- Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Allegheny-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- 110 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may develop this afternoon, with a low chance a storm could become severe and produce damaging wind. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
207 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
OHZ039-071830-
Tuscarawas-
207 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND WILL AFFECT
NORTHERN TUSCARAWAS COUNTY...
At 207 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Winesburg, or
13 miles northeast of Millersburg, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Dover... Strasburg...
Bolivar... Mineral City...
Parral... Zoar...
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 86 and 94.
This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4065 8148 4067 8146 4067 8145 4066 8144
4065 8145 4065 8132 4059 8132 4052 8167
4063 8167
TIME...MOT...LOC 1807Z 243DEG 17KT 4065 8169Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 210 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 PAZ021-073-071830- Westmoreland-Allegheny- 210 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND AND HEAVY RAIN WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ALLEGHENY AND WEST CENTRAL WESTMORELAND COUNTIES... At 210 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over West Newton, or 8 miles southeast of McKeesport, moving northeast at 10 mph. Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... McKeesport... Jeannette... North Versailles... White Oak... Irwin... Manor... Trafford... West Newton... Wilmerding... East Mckeesport... Versailles... Lincoln... This includes Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 65 and 71. Torrential rainfall also is occurring with this storm and may cause localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. LAT...LON 4017 7975 4020 7985 4040 7982 4032 7960 TIME...MOT...LOC 1810Z 212DEG 7KT 4024 7977
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 228 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 PAZ020-021-029-WVZ001-071845- Beaver-Washington-Allegheny-Hancock- 228 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN BEAVER...NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...WESTERN ALLEGHENY AND HANCOCK COUNTIES... At 228 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 miles east of Toronto, or 8 miles northeast of Weirton, moving northeast at 15 mph. Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Moon Township... Midland... Industry... Shippingport... Hookstown... Frankfort Springs... Pittsburgh International Airpor... Hanover Township... Raccoon Creek State Park... This includes Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 50 and 53. LAT...LON 4040 8049 4050 8060 4065 8043 4050 8022 TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 228DEG 13KT 4049 8046
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
244 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
OHZ039-048-071915-
Tuscarawas-Coshocton-
244 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND
WILL AFFECT EASTERN COSHOCTON AND CENTRAL TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES...
At 244 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered 7 miles southeast
of Farmerstown, or 12 miles southwest of New Philadelphia, moving
east at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
New Philadelphia... Dover...
Coshocton... Uhrichsville...
Newcomerstown... West Lafayette...
Sugarcreek... Gnadenhutten...
Tuscarawas... Baltic...
Midvale... Port Washington...
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 64 and 85.
This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4045 8174 4044 8167 4048 8167 4057 8149
4048 8135 4031 8135 4020 8181 4038 8187
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 252DEG 17KT 4039 8164Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
258 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
PAZ021-071930-
Allegheny-
258 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND AND HEAVY
RAIN WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL ALLEGHENY COUNTY...
At 258 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Bethel Park,
moving north at 5 mph.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh... Mount Lebanon...
Bethel Park... West Mifflin...
Baldwin... Upper St. Clair...
Scott Township... Whitehall...
South Park Township... Robinson Township...
Brentwood... Dormont...
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 55 and 58.
Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 65 and 66.
Torrential rainfall also is occurring with this storm and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4029 8001 4031 8010 4031 8012 4042 8011
4039 7992
TIME...MOT...LOC 1858Z 200DEG 6KT 4033 8006Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
300 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
OHZ057-071930-
Muskingum-
300 PM EDT Wed Jul 7 2021
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND
WILL AFFECT MUSKINGUM COUNTY...
At 300 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered near South
Zanesville, or 7 miles northeast of Perry State Forest, moving
northeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Zanesville... New Concord...
South Zanesville... North Zanesville...
Philo... Pleasant Grove...
Fultonham... Norwich...
Cannelville... High Hill...
Chandlersville... Ruraldale...
This includes Interstate 70 in Ohio between mile markers 145 and 169.
This storm may intensify, so monitor local radio or television
stations for additional information and possible warnings from the
National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3993 8223 3995 8221 3995 8220 3996 8220
4008 8206 4000 8174 3976 8171 3976 8174
3977 8207 3982 8208 3982 8217 3991 8216
3991 8223
TIME...MOT...LOC 1900Z 236DEG 19KT 3984 8211The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:12 UTC.
43 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 6 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were reported to be blown down, causing power outages.
Along Morganza Road, trees were reported to be blown down.
Trees were reported to be blown down in Regent Square.
Widespread wind damage was reported in Edgewood Boro, resulting in the declaration of a local state of emergency.
Trees were reported to be blown down in Swissvale.
In Renton Junction, there was a report of numerous trees being blown down, resulting in power outages.
A few roads were closed due to flooding in Squirrel Hill, with vehicles stranded.
In the neighborhood of Friendship, shingles were blown off of a structure and tree limbs were downed.
A large tree was blown down along West Swissvale Avenue.
Several vehicles were stuck in high water in the area of both Thompson Run Road and Rodi Road.
Two airplanes were reported to be overturned by wind at Butler Airport.
Trees and power poles were reported to be blown down.
Trees were reported to be blown down in Harrison Township.
The hail was observed in Leechburg via a social media video.
Snapped trees were reported via social media images on Puckety Church Road.
Trees were reported to be blown down in Natrona Heights.
Trees were blown down on to a vehicle in Shaler.
Near Fall Run Park, trees were reported to be uprooted.
Pinewood and Lakeview Drive were both closed due to flooding, with over 2 feet of running water at the intersection.
Near Nixon, large tree branches were blown down.
Roof damage was done to a home on Mushrush Road.
Three feet of water completely covered the road at Commercial Boulevard near Swisshelm Park.
A vehicle was stuck in rising water on Station Street.
Trees were reported to be blown down on McKean Road.
McLaughlin Run came out of its banks, causing four homes to be evacuated on Baldwin Street and McLaughlin Run Road.
Three inch tree limbs were downed.
Several trees were reported to be blown down in New Castle.
Power lines were reported to be blown down.
Numerous large tree branches were reported to be snapped.
Large tree limbs were reported to be blown down.
Large tree limbs and branches were blown down.
Trees were reported to be blown down in New Bethlehem.
Trees and power lines were reported to be blown down across Mercer County.
Power lines were reported to be blown down in Clarion Borough.
Power lines were reported to be blown down.
A large tree was reported to be blown down at the intersection of River Road and Main Street.
Trees and power lines were reported to be downed around Mercer County.
Trees and power lines were reported to be blown down in Cooksburg.
Trees and power lines were blown down in Millvale.
Trees and wires were blown down on South 4th Street.
Morgantown Road was closed for a time due to downed trees.
Trees and power lines were blown down. One tree fell on a vehicle, with no injuries reported.
Trees were reported down across 4th and County Streets.
A tree was reported to be blown down, blocking Haines Hollow Road.
Multiple telephone poles were blown down along Garrison Ridge Road.
A tree was reported to be downed, blocking Jollytown Road.
Garrison Ridge Road was closed down to downed telephone poles.
Trees were blown down in Greensburg.
Multiple reports of downed trees were received from around the New Florence area.
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, July 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: 972132, 972133, 972146, 972147, 972148, 972149, 972150, 972151, 972155, 972157, 972159, 972179, 972186, 972187, 972188, 972189, 972191, 972192, 972194, 972195, 972196, 972198, 972199, 972230, 972232, 972238, 972116, 972253, 972255, 972264, 972265, 972266, 972271, 972272, 972273, 972274, 972275, 972276, 972277, 972278, and more.