A couple lines of convection developed over central Pennsylvania during the afternoon of August 4, 2022. Moderate instability and steep low-level lapse rates encouraged convective development, although deep-layer shear was relatively weak.
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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.
A couple lines of convection developed over central Pennsylvania during the afternoon of August 4, 2022. Moderate instability and steep low-level lapse rates encouraged convective development, although deep-layer shear was relatively weak. A few storms managed to produce sporadic wind damage.
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 4, 8:42 AM EST, 3 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 942 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Heat and humidity peak today with heat index values over 100F throughout the Valleys of South Central and Southeastern PA. The humidity will stick around for the weekend even though temperatures lower a few degrees. There will be a daily chance for mainly afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Relief appears likely by midweek as the ridge of high pressure shifts east over the Atlantic Ocean. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... 930 AM update... A batch of scattered showers and thundershowers extends from Pittsburgh to Driftwood as of 930 AM Thu. Although some of the convection will dissipate as it moves into north central PA, the associated sfc convergence / boundary will likely serve as a focusing mechanism for additional convection this afternoon. From previous... After a mild start thanks to muggy dewpoints and some cloud cover approaching from the northwest, expect a hot and humid day with afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible. 590+ mb heights are progged to build into PA this afternoon along with 850mb temperatures around 20C. Anomalous warmth and ridging aloft will translate to widespread maxT in the mid 90s across central and southern PA Thursday afternoon. When combined with dewpoint temperatures near 70F, heat index values should surpass 100F for more than 2 hours across the Lower Susquehanna Valley counties, where a Heat Advisory has been posted. Expanded the Heat Advisory to include Columbia and Lebanon this morning in collaboration with NWS Binghamton and NWS Mount Holly. Elsewhere, heat indices will rise through the mid to upper 90s over the central and south central Mountains as well as the mid Susq River Valley. It will be hot this afternoon, but still a few degrees below record heat. High resolution guidance continues to point to some scattered thunderstorm development across the western mountains as early as midday. Any storms that develop will limit observed temperatures and pose the primary "bust" potential for heat index criteria today. Uncertainty remains with the extent and timing of storms as they traverse the Commonwealth, but have tapered temperatures from west to east through the afternoon as cloud cover and precipitation gradually march east. Thanks to a sufficient 1000-1500 J/kg of CAPE this afternoon, a few storms could be strong to severe with isolated damaging wind gusts possible. The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of Central Pennsylvania in a Marginal Risk. In addition to the threat of strong to severe storms, anomalous PWATs of 1.5 to 2 inches associated with an approaching frontal system will bring plenty of moisture and efficient rainfall amounts. WPC has trimmed back the Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall today and tonight in northwest PA in favor of a Marginal Risk owing to slightly less impressive sounding profiles with a bit more dry air aloft. Rainfall amounts from thunderstorms could exceed an inch in spots across the area, but most totals should remain around a quarter to half inch. Another mild night is expected Thursday night with temperatures in the mid 60s to mid 70s. Muggy dewpoints and antecedent rainfall could result in some patchy fog formation Friday morning, especially across the eastern part of the area where cloud cover will be a bit less dense. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... More cloud cover on Friday will contribute to a bit lower temperatures Friday afternoon. Temperatures near 80 in the northwest mountains and Laurels are right about average this time of year. Farther south and east, temperatures will approach 90 degrees again with heat index values approaching 100F again. At this time, the magnitude and duration of heat should be insignificant enough to preclude issuance of a Heat Advisory on Friday. In addition to cloud cover, shower and thunderstorm activity will likely be more expansive on Friday afternoon. A shortwave trough embedded within the upper ridge will provide forcing for ascent supplementing about 1000 to 1500 J/kg of CAPE to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy downpours possible. PWATs will remain around 1.5 to 2 and the slow moving nature of these storms could result in isolated flooding. The Weather Prediction Center has placed a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall along the Mason-Dixon line with a Marginal risk elsewhere. Rainfall totals will exceed 0.50 inches across the southern tier with local amounts exceeding 1 inch likely in thunderstorms. More of the same Friday night with mild temperatures, decreasing coverage and intensity of showers/storms, and patchy fog development. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Heat, humidity, and afternoon storms continue through the weekend as upper ridging and a stalled boundary parks over the region. PWATs will be steady at 1.5 inches to 2 inches into the beginning of next week, with some pockets of PWATs exceeding 2 inches. Given weak flow aloft, heavy downpours may be slow moving and produce isolated high rainfall totals. Daily afternoon temperatures will be in the upper 80s to near 90 with low temperatures exceeding 70 in the Lower Susq Valley. Afternoon heat index values for the Lower Susq Valley are expected to rise into the upper 90s again Sunday and Monday. Model guidance suggests more comfortable temperatures and lower humidity does not enter the region until the middle to latter portion of next week, with a great deal of model spread on the exact timing. After several days of dewpoints in the 60s and 70s, the NBM guidance brings dewpoints down into the 50s and low 60s on Thursday. && .AVIATION /14Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... VFR conditions are expected area wide this morning as showers over the northwest continue to die out before reaching BFD. Some valleys in the central mountains have seen fog formation early this morning, but so far it has remained away from any TAF sites. Scattered restrictions associated with SHRA/TSRA are likely to ramp up this afternoon/evening and beyond as we enter a stretch of weather with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms. Any restrictions however should be fairly brief with the passage of the scattered SHRA/TSRA. Outlook... Fri...Widespread restrictions possible in SHRA/TSRA. Sat...Sct aftn/evening TSRA poss, mainly S. Sun-Mon...Sct TSRA poss && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for PAZ053-059- 064>066. && SYNOPSIS...Banghoff NEAR TERM...Colbert/Banghoff SHORT TERM...Banghoff LONG TERM...Colbert/Banghoff AVIATION...Colbert/Travis
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 438 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 PAZ004>006-010>012-017-018-024-037-041-042-050845- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Cambria-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- 438 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ019-025>028-045-046-049>052-056>058-063-050845- Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Southern Clinton- Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Perry-Dauphin- Schuylkill-Cumberland- 438 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The heat index will approach 100 in the valleys and urban areas today. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ053-059-050845- Columbia-Lebanon- 438 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible this afternoon and evening. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ064>066-050845- Adams-York-Lancaster- 438 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible this afternoon and evening. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Locally heavy rain is possible Friday afternoon and evening, which could result in localized flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ033>036-050845- Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin- 438 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Locally heavy rain is possible Friday afternoon and evening, which could result in localized flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1134 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
PAZ010-011-017-041615-
Cameron PA-Clearfield PA-Elk PA-
1134 AM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ELK...NORTHEASTERN CLEARFIELD AND
CAMERON COUNTIES THROUGH 1215 PM EDT...
At 1134 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Marienville to St. Marys to 10 miles north
of Clearfield. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
possible.
Locations impacted include...
St. Marys, Ridgway, Johnsonburg, Cameron, Emporium, Penfield, Wilcox,
Force, Benezette, Stevenson Dam, East Branch Dam, Elk River, Hicks
Run, Parker Dam State Park, Medix Run, Truman, Sizerville, Kersey,
Weedville and Driftwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4160 7848 4160 7842 4162 7841 4162 7820
4148 7805 4147 7799 4137 7799 4122 7809
4118 7808 4112 7864 4135 7865 4142 7906
4145 7906 4145 7898 4144 7896 4150 7896
4163 7866 4163 7849
TIME...MOT...LOC 1534Z 245DEG 23KT 4144 7895 4138 7859 4117 7848
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1227 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
PAZ018-019-041700-
Northern Centre PA-Southern Centre PA-
1227 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CENTRE COUNTY
THROUGH 100 PM EDT...
At 1227 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
State College, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bellefonte, Pleasant Gap, Julian, Black Moshannon State Park,
Unionville and University Park Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4080 7801 4088 7812 4101 7787 4087 7774
TIME...MOT...LOC 1627Z 243DEG 18KT 4087 7799
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1248 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
PAZ005-041730-
McKean PA-
1248 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MCKEAN COUNTY THROUGH
130 PM EDT...
At 1248 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bradford, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bradford, Port Allegany, Smethport, Rew, Coryville, Crosby, Cyclone,
Westline, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Marshburg, Mount Jewett, Eldred,
Lewis Run and Bradford Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4199 7821 4182 7821 4173 7838 4172 7894
4190 7869 4200 7860
TIME...MOT...LOC 1648Z 248DEG 24KT 4185 7856
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1256 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
PAZ018-019-041730-
Northern Centre PA-Southern Centre PA-
1256 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CENTRE COUNTY THROUGH
130 PM EDT...
At 1256 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bellefonte, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bellefonte, Pleasant Gap, Lamar, Zion, Milesburg, Millheim,
Blanchard, Aaronsburg, Rebersburg, Madisonburg, Bald Eagle State
Park, Howard and Beech Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4106 7756 4105 7758 4097 7751 4098 7743
4091 7739 4086 7775 4100 7787 4110 7765
TIME...MOT...LOC 1656Z 245DEG 18KT 4092 7780
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1258 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
PAZ034-041745-
Bedford PA-
1258 PM EDT Thu Aug 4 2022
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD COUNTY
THROUGH 145 PM EDT...
At 1258 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Breezewood, moving northeast at 15 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...
Breezewood, Everett, Saxton, Defiance and Hopewell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3996 7834 4012 7846 4024 7824 4021 7821
4017 7813 4012 7816 4009 7820 4007 7820
4005 7818 4004 7820 4001 7820 4000 7822
TIME...MOT...LOC 1658Z 243DEG 14KT 4008 7832
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 17:00 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph peeled the metal roof off of a building, tossed another small metal structure, and also knocked down a few trees near the Bedford Fairgrounds.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires in Shinglehouse.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires east of Beech Creek.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Curwensville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees near Muddy Creek Forks Road and Good Road south of Brogue.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Fawn Grove. One tree came down on a car, and another came down on a propane tank, between West Main Street and North Market Street.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, August 2022
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: 1038528, 1038895, 1038896, 1039516, 1039520, 1039521.