A strong cold front crossed central Pennsylvania during the afternoon and early evening of April 1, 2023. In a high shear/low CAPE environment, convection was able to mix down very strong winds from just off the surface, leading to wind damage across portions of the area.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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 CTP wrote it up.
A strong cold front crossed central Pennsylvania during the afternoon and early evening of April 1, 2023. In a high shear/low CAPE environment, convection was able to mix down very strong winds from just off the surface, leading to wind damage across portions of the area. Storms were weakening as they moved into central PA in the early afternoon, but they re-intensified over the Lower Susquehanna Valley by late afternoon and early evening. Winds following the frontal passage continued to gust to near 50 mph across southern Pennsylvania.
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 Apr 1, 10:38 AM EST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 1138 AM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A volatile and very windy start to April 2023 and opening day of trout season in PA with rounds of rain showers and strong to damaging wind gusts. Cooler temperatures and dry weather to close out the weekend with plenty of sunshine and lighter wind. The key weather highlight next week will be a warm surge with temperatures trending well above normal through Wednesday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Skies clearing out quickly across the Susq Valley late this morning with full sunshine across the western two-thirds of PA. A high probability for a significant high wind and/or enhanced convective wind event exist for the early to mid afternoon hours across Central and Western parts of the CWA, and late this afternoon/very early this evening over the Susquehanna Valley and points east. The rare combination (in this part of the of the country) from wind and increasing buoyancy/large scale lift from initially full sunshine and an approaching vigorous mid/upper level trough will support a line of severe TSRA racing east at an incredible 70 to 75 mph (now seen across Central OH and noted by highly elongated HRRR 1 hour precip cells within a QLCS type of structure). Inverted-V soundings beneath the high-based CB will combine with 0-3 km bulk shear of 50-70KT to bring localized areas of enhanced wind damage where the stronger mid level winds are mixed down through precip cores/accompanying mini bow signatures. Localized 80KT westerly winds are possible in the stronger precip cores Previous... The key message particularly from this afternoon through early tonight will be a high/damaging wind threat. While there remains some uncertainty in how convection may evolve, the hires model data continues to signal the potential for a maturing/surging low topped squall line to deliver numerous wind gusts in excess of 50kt. Strong pressure rises in the wake of a secondary cold front (possibly enhanced to some extent by the QLCS feature) along with steepening lapse rates should also aid in downward momentum transfer resulting in sfc wind gusts in the 50-65 mph range. We upgraded the wind advisory to a high wind warning for rest of the southern tier counties. Much colder, post-frontal WNW flow will drive a rain to snow shower transition across the northern and western Alleghenies late tonight with a minor accumulation <1 inch possible in the favored upslope areas by Sunday morning. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Building high pressure will bring an end to any lingering snow showers across the western high terrain early Sunday morning, with clearing skies and a noticeably colder/drier airmass briefly returning to close out the first weekend of April. Max temps will be 15 to 25 degrees colder than Saturday. All guidance points to fair weather Monday as high pressure passes off the Mid Atlantic coast. An ensuing southwest flow advects much warmer air into the Commonwealth with a springtime warming trend getting underway. A weak shortwave passing north of the region should push a dying cold front into northern PA Monday night with some light rain possible over this area. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Low level convergence and a plume of anomalous pwats along the front should support a fair amount of cloud cover and the chance of showers Tuesday. However, lack of large scale forcing supports only limited POPs. All medium range guidance supports very warm conditions midweek, peaking on Wednesday, as the stalled front lifts north of the state ahead of an upstream trough. Diurnal heating, combined with falling heights ahead of the trough, should translate to an increased chance of showers Wednesday during the day, especially over the W Mtns. Ensemble mean 850mb temps around 11C could support temps pushing 80F in southern valleys if there's enough sunshine. Model spread and forecast uncertainty increase the second half of next week regarding the timing of the upstream trough. However, all guidance tracks the associated surface low well north of PA, with a trailing cold front and potential showers coming through in the Wednesday night to Thursday AM time frame. Temps slip back toward seasonal norms by Friday. && .AVIATION /16Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Rapid clearing is anticipated behind the exiting cold front early Saturday morning. However, increasingly gusty southwest winds are expected to develop by Saturday afternoon ahead of a more potent cold front approaching from the west. The cold front, which should barrel through central PA between 18Z-22Z, will be accompanied by a brief shower or thunderstorm in many locations. Some of the storms could contain wind gusts over 50 kts. Behind the front, strong westerly winds will impact the entire area. Bufkit soundings support gusts to around 40kts into the evening hours. Upsloping flow is also likely to yield MVFR cigs and light snow showers across the W Mtns Saturday evening. Outlook... Sun...Early AM low cigs possible Laurel Highlands. Mon...No sig wx expected. Tue...AM low cigs possible N Mtns. Wed...AM low cigs possible eastern PA. PM tsra impacts possible, mainly western PA. && .CLIMATE... Welcome to April. Here is a look at the March monthly temperature, precipitation, and snowfall at Harrisburg and Williamsport along with departure from normal. Harrisburg: Avg. Temp = 43.0F (+1.2F) Total Precipitation = 2.78 (-0.92") Total Snowfall = T (-5.6") Williamsport: Avg. Temp = 40.0 (+1.3F) Total Precipitation = 2.72 (-0.41") Total Snowfall = 6.6" (-0.7") Warmth builds through early next week with record hi min temps forecast on Wed. 4/5. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 2 AM EDT Sunday for PAZ004>006-010>012- 017>019-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-058. High Wind Warning until 2 AM EDT Sunday for PAZ024>028-033>036- 056-057-059-063>066. && SYNOPSIS...Lambert/Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Lambert/Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Steinbugl LONG TERM...Fitzgerald/Martin/RXR AVIATION...Lambert/Fitzgerald/Colbert CLIMATE...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 1202 PM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 PAZ025>028-034>036-056-057-059-063>066-021615- Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Perry- Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 1202 PM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Additionally, a round of fast-moving, strong to severe thunderstorms occurring along a cold front will bring the potential for enhanced westerly wind gusts and wind damage this afternoon into early this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ012-018-019-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-058-021615- Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Tioga- Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union- Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Schuylkill- 1202 PM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Additionally, a round of fast-moving, strong to severe thunderstorms occurring along a cold front will bring the potential for enhanced westerly wind gusts and wind damage this afternoon into early this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ024-033-021615- Cambria-Somerset- 1202 PM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 105 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ004>006-010-011-017-021615- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield- 1202 PM EDT Sat Apr 1 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 105 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 136 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:00 UTC.
26 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across a roadway in southwestern Warren County.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees southeast of Youngsville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree and wires north of Warren.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto Conewango Avenue north of Warren.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree across Route 66 south of Kane.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees onto wires northwest of Eldred.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees across Benshoff Hill Road near Vinco.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires near Mount Jewett.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires north of Rew.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree and wires near Bradford.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto Route 59 northwest of Lafayette.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 70 mph rolled a mobile home over onto it's roof, with the home remaining largely intact.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees at Sinnemahoning State Park.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down wires near Houserville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down wires near State College.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires near Odin.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a large limb onto a home on Westerly Parkway in State College.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph damaged power lines near State College.
A severe thunderstorm produced a 59 mph wind gust at Beaver Stadium in State College.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees along Route 6 east of Galeton.
A severe thunderstorm produced a wind gust measured at 58 mph at Grand Canyon Regional Airport west of Wellsboro.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees north of Ebensburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees, including one onto a barn, near Sabinsville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees in Wellsboro.
A thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 50 mph knocked down a tree at Lickdale Campground north of Jonestown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires near Thomasville.
Strong post-frontal wind gusts estimated near 50 mph caused minor roof damage to a structure at Dickenson College in Carlisle.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, April 2023
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: 1079762, 1079763, 1079764, 1079765, 1079766, 1079767, 1079768, 1079769, 1079771, 1079775, 1079776, 1079779, 1079778, 1079785, 1079786, 1079784, 1079793, 1079789, 1079791, 1079787, 1079788, 1079795, 1079790, 1079792, 1079796, 1079794, 1079797.