Strong thunderstorms developed along a cold front across the Central and Lower Great Lakes during the late evening and overnight hours of August 24-25, 2023. These thunderstorms were in an environment of strong to extreme instability, along with sufficient low-level and deep-layer wind shear for organized and rotating thunderstorms.
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.
Strong thunderstorms developed along a cold front across the Central and Lower Great Lakes during the late evening and overnight hours of August 24-25, 2023. These thunderstorms were in an environment of strong to extreme instability, along with sufficient low-level and deep-layer wind shear for organized and rotating thunderstorms. This allowed storms that developed over Michigan to organize into a fast-moving cluster of thunderstorms that produced extensive wind damage and a number of tornadoes between southern Lower Michigan and southwestern Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
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 Aug 24, 9:01 PM EST, 2 hours 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1001 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A thunderstorm complex that poses a damaging wind threat is likely to move through the area tonight, with a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for portions of eastern Ohio into northwest Pennsylvania. Periodic shower and thunderstorm chances will then continue through Saturday as a series of upper level waves move across the Upper Ohio Valley. Drier weather returns on Sunday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/... Evening update... Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued as MCS takes shape over southern MI into Lake Erie. It has a history of damaging wind gusts, small hail, and a few tornado warnings. This convective system should arrive in the far northwestern zones 11pm and midnight, with forward movement a robust 40-50 mph. Mesoanalysis suggests there is potential for the strongest line segment to shift towards eastern OH near the instability gradient, moving towards higher instability (2000-4000 J/kg) and away from lower over western PA (~1200 J/kg). The main threat will likely be damaging wind as it develops a strong cold pool, with a tornadic threat mainly tied to RFD wind surges that create brief kinks in the line. Hail remains possible as well, but probability of >1" is low and makes it less of a notable threat. Robust rainfall rates will pose a flash flood threat, especially for the more saturated grounds across eastern OH. However, fast forward motion may limit heavy rainfall duration and keep any flooding isolated and of lower impact. The convective system should traverse southeast (with potential southerly shift) through the overnight hours ahead of a cold front and exit by early Friday morning. Uncertainty remains in whether the severe threat will be able to persist for its entire path across the CWA. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY/... Lingering showers and perhaps a few remaining thunderstorms will be exiting Friday morning. Conditions will gradually dry out through the morning, though a few showers may linger across the ridges into the afternoon. Temperatures will push into the mid/upper 80s with dewpoint in the 70s. This will drive heat indices into mid/upper 90s. Cooler temperatures are expected on Saturday, with a slight chance for afternoon thunderstorms. Afternoon highs will be close to average. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... Building high pressure with broad upper troughing will bring dry and cooler conditions to the area Sunday into next week. A series of shortwaves through this trough will introduce rain chances once again by Tuesday. Temperatures remain near-average, dropping to below-average by mid-week. && .AVIATION /02Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... VFR is expected through this evening ahead of a cold front approaching from the Midwest. A line of thunderstorms was developing across Michigan through Wisconsin early this evening. Current indications are this line will intensify, increase in coverage, and become an MCS as it tracks ESE. 1000-500mb thicknesses show the MCS should turn SE as it reaches southern Michigan. Timed the associated thunderstorms and restrictions in the TAFs slightly ahead of the latest models, as MCSs tend to accelerate as they become driven by a cold pool. Mentioned gusty wind as well, though some hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible. Expect MVFR cigs to redevelop for most airports north of I 70 after the passage of the MCS, with IFR at FKL and DUJ where more favorable low level moisture is expected. The cold front should complete its passage on Friday, with mainly a stratocu/cumulus cigs. Cig heights should improve through the day with mixing, returning to VFR for most areas through the afternoon. Included a VCTS mention for MGW Friday afternoon with FROPA. .OUTLOOK... Stratus/fog restrictions are expected Friday night with low level moisture in place. Restrictions are possible again with a reinforcing cold front on Saturday. VFR should return Sunday and Monday under high pressure. Restriction potential returns with a Tuesday cold front. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && SYNOPSIS...Rackley NEAR TERM...Rackley/Frazier SHORT TERM...Rackley LONG TERM...Rackley AVIATION...WM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1002 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023 OHZ049-050-057>059-068-069-PAZ009-014>016-020>022-029-031-073>078- WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-260215- Harrison-Jefferson OH-Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Forest- Butler-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-Washington- Greene-Westmoreland-Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette- Higher Elevations of Fayette-Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana- Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia- Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston- Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker- 1002 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe storms will be possible later tonight. The main threat will be damaging wind, but large hail and isolated tornadoes remain possible. Storms may also contain heavy downpours which could result in localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. OHZ039>041-048-PAZ007-008-013-260215- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Mercer-Venango-Lawrence- 1002 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 657 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EDT FRIDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania and southwest Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .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
1142 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023
PAZ014-020-021-250415-
Butler PA-Beaver PA-Allegheny PA-
1142 PM EDT Thu Aug 24 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BEAVER...
SOUTHWESTERN BUTLER AND NORTH CENTRAL ALLEGHENY COUNTIES THROUGH 1215
AM EDT...
At 1142 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
New Brighton, or over Beaver Falls, moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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 is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cranberry, Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Monaca, Economy, Ambridge, New
Brighton, Beaver, Baden, Rochester, Harmony Township, Seven Fields,
Patterson Township, Conway, Big Beaver, Freedom, Bell Acres, West
Mayfield, Bridgewater, and Patterson Heights.
This includes the following highways...
Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 14 and 29.
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 78 and 83.
Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 30 and 33.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4075 8039 4083 8030 4072 8003 4057 8020
TIME...MOT...LOC 0342Z 312DEG 20KT 4075 8030
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1208 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
PAZ008-009-014-015-022-250445-
Armstrong PA-Butler PA-Forest PA-Clarion PA-Venango PA-
1208 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT VENANGO...NORTHEASTERN BUTLER...
NORTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG...NORTHWESTERN CLARION AND WEST CENTRAL FOREST
COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 AM EDT...
At 1207 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Franklin, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Oil City, Franklin, Knox, Sugarcreek, Tionesta, Hasson Heights,
Seneca, Sligo, Emlenton, Rouseville, Clintonville, Shippenville,
Cooperstown, St. Petersburg, Eau Claire, Kennerdell, Callensburg,
Woodland Heights, Foxburg, and Fryburg.
This includes Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 33
and 60.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for
northwestern Pennsylvania.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 7990 4152 7991 4157 7943 4108 7942
TIME...MOT...LOC 0407Z 279DEG 21KT 4131 7974
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1234 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
PAZ008-009-014-015-022-250445-
Armstrong PA-Butler PA-Forest PA-Clarion PA-Venango PA-
1234 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT VENANGO...NORTHEASTERN BUTLER...
NORTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG...NORTHWESTERN CLARION AND WEST CENTRAL FOREST
COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 AM EDT...
At 1207 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Franklin, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Oil City, Franklin, Knox, Sugarcreek, Tionesta, Hasson Heights,
Seneca, Sligo, Emlenton, Rouseville, Clintonville, Shippenville,
Cooperstown, St. Petersburg, Eau Claire, Kennerdell, Callensburg,
Woodland Heights, Foxburg, and Fryburg.
This includes Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 33
and 60.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for
northwestern Pennsylvania.
&&
LAT...LON 4116 7990 4152 7991 4157 7943 4108 7942
TIME...MOT...LOC 0407Z 279DEG 21KT 4131 7974
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1235 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
PAZ029-031-250500-
Greene PA-Washington PA-
1235 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH
CENTRAL GREENE COUNTIES THROUGH 100 AM EDT...
At 1234 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Wolfdale, or 8 miles southwest of Washington, moving
east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Washington, Bentleyville, Ellsworth, Claysville, Deemston, Cokeburg,
Marianna, Beallsville, Taylorstown, Scenery Hill, Amity, and Green
Hills.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 4 and 15.
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 19 and 33.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4003 8049 4019 8044 4013 7998 3993 8008
TIME...MOT...LOC 0434Z 284DEG 30KT 4009 8036
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CLThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
78 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees down in Sharon, PA.
Small limbs down in Transfer, PA.
Numerous tress down in Sharpsville, PA.
Small limbs down in Mercer, PA.
Numerous trees down near Volant, PA.
Multiple trees down in Leesburg, PA.
Tree down North Hope Mill Road.
Tree down south of New Castle, PA along Northview Ave.
A large tree was snapped on the campus of Grove City College.
Numerous trees down along State Route 837 near the rail yard, road was closed for a period of time.
Numerous tree limbs down along with some full grown trees near Cannelton, PA.
Large tree down along Springfield Church Road.
Trees uprooted and/or snapped near Hilliards, PA.
Emergency manager reported trees uprooted, road signs bent over, and household items scattered into yards.
A trained spotter reported about 10 to 15 trees down on Andrews Drive.
Trees snapped and/or uprooted on Gillespie Lane.
Trees uprooted and snapped, roof damage reported near Harshaville, PA.
Multiple trees and wires down around Forward Township.
A trained spotter reported several trees down near Moon Golf Course.
Route 30 from State Route 151 to State Route 18 will be closed for an extended period of time due to multiple trees and wires down.
Large tree branches were down and metal siding was blown off a building.
Small limbs down.
Multiple trees down across Ohio River Blvd.
Tree down in Robinson Township along Bellview Drive and Woodland Road.
Multiple trees down. A few trees fell on cars and one on a home on Whitby Place in Gibsonia, PA.
Many trees snapped and uprooted throughout the down of Bulgar, PA. Siding also removed from a home.
Tree reported on a home on Newbury Way east of Gibsonia, PA.
Media reported that a garage door bent from high wind along Sterling Road and Battle Ridge Road near Cuddy, PA.
Multiple trees down on Ash Lane.
Trees down near Quaker Village Shopping Mall along Ohio River Blvd.
Tree down on Ohio River Blvd in Brighton Heights.
A tree on a home on Shamrock Drive. No injures reported.
Numerous trees uprooted and trunks snapped. Extensive debris reported.
Tree uprooted along Wilcox Drive in Fisher, PA.
Tree down on PJ McArdle Road in the South Side.
A number of trees down in Smith Township.
Roof damage was noted to several buildings, including a construction business along Fidelity Drive. Numerous trees were down.
Tree down on a home and vehicle in Sandy Creek area.
Tree on a home on Vivjon Drive in Munhall, PA.
Allegheny County 911 reported several roads closed in McKeesport, West Mifflin, Clairton, Elizabeth, and White Oak due to flash flooding. These roads include Rebecca St/W 5th Ave, and W 5th Ave at the Mansfield Bridge in McKeesport, Lovedale Rd/McKeeseport Rd in Elizabeth township, Clairton Blvd in Pleasant Hills, Coal Valley Road in Jefferson Hills.
A few trees down north of Kittanning, PA.
Report of many trees down along Ridge Road and McCorkle Road. Storm Survey team reported 90mph straight line wind damage in the region.
Multiple trees down along Wall Road.
Small limbs down near Wexford, PA.
Trees uprooted and/or snapped near Milesville, PA.
A number of trees down in Nottingham Township.
A number of trees down in Union Township.
Multiple trees and wires down along Coal Valley Road and Clariton Road.
Allegheny County 911 reported a vehicle stuck in water along Universal and Stotler Road. Also, the 500 block of Anderson Ave in Plum had one foot of water on the roadway.
Emergency manager reported several trees down on William Penn Road.
Tree down along Harvey Ave and Kunkle Street.
Wall Road had many trees and wires down near Bunola, PA.
Emergency manger reported trees down along Saddlers Hollow Road.
Emergency manger reported several trees down on Rostosky Road.
Emergency manger reported several trees down on Sunnyside Hollow Road.
Trained spotter reported trees down in Fayette City.
Trained spotter reported four trees down on Hurst Road.
Emergency manager reports trees down on Pangburn Hollow Road.
Emergency manager reported several trees down on Church Hollow Road.
A tree down on the guard rail along Lone Pine Road.
Large tree and power lines down in California, PA.
Trees down in Greensburg, PA.
Several trees down on a residential structure.
Numerous trees down in California, PA.
A number of trees down in the city of Charleroi, PA.
Tree down west of Latrobe, PA.
Trained spotter reported a tree down in Perryopolis, PA.
A number of trees down south of Centerville, PA.
Tree down along Route 286 near the Indiana County Airport.
Large limbs down in Allison, PA.
Tree down along Morris Street in Clymer, PA.
Damage was to hardwood and softwood trees, especially along the |second half the of track where it was confined to the Greater |Allegheny Passage, and ended in the Camp Carmel area.
The tornado started off on West Crawford Avenue where numerous |large branches and trees were uprooted. The twister continued |southeast into the Greenwood Heights area where scattered large |branches and snapped smaller hardwood trees were observed. As the |storm moved south into the Wheeler section there was sporadic |damage of down large limbs. Two pine trees were uprooted on Pine|Tree Lane.
The intensity picked backed up as it went along the Yough river|and the Greater Allegheny Passage. There were a mixture of|uprooted trees and down large branches from mile marker 87 on the|trail until mile marker 82. The worse damage viewed was at mile|marker 83.5 and just off the trail and Camp Carmel. At both of|these points, there were at least 10-15 hard wood trees snapped or|uprooted. Two buildings at Camp Carmel had trees fall on them|causing damage. This was the only structural damage observed.
Trees snapped and limbs down in south Connellsville, PA.
Trees snapped and/or uprooted near Fisher, PA.
MPing report of 1 inch broken limbs on Ridge Blvd.
This survey found a concentrated area of extensive tree damage and|sporadic minor structural damage that began on a farmland plateau|northwest of Mill Run along Hampton Road, and continued southeast|for approximately 2 miles, crossing Route 381, and ending along |Turkey Foot Road. This track cut across Yogi Bear's Jellystone |Park resort and campground, where several hundred campers were |present. A mixture of several hundred mature softwood and hardwood|trees were snapped or uprooted across the campground, with many |landing on RVs, cabins, shelters, and other structures throughout |the campground. Several park fixtures including water slides, |wagons, and other unique damage indicators were also observed to |have sustained significant damage. Several tents were destroyed. |Three injuries are known to have occurred in the park from |falling trees.
The tornado then continued across Highway 381, producing|additional damage to several tree groves and two farmsteads as |the tornado crossed Fairmont Road. Metal roofing was removed from|several outbuildings, power poles were snapped, and a mobile home|was rolled over a vehicle, landing on its side. Three additional |injuries were reported at these locations.
Drone footage was paramount in helping to document this tornado in|a region of challenging terrain and limited roads, and was used |to help identify its beginning and ending points, as well as path|width. The shear extent of tree damage within the Yogi Bear park |is consistent with an EF-2 rating and maximum wind speeds of |approximately 120 mph.
Tree down on West Crawford Ave.
Trained spotter reported a trailer blown off its foundation along Springfield Pike east of Connellsville, PA.
Tree down along Route 711 west of Rector, PA.
Utility lines down along Route 403 north of Strongstown, PA.
Small limbs down northwest of Connellsville, PA.
Many large trees down along Ridge Road and McCorkle Road. NWS Survey confirmed 90mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Pennsylvania, 2023Warnings in Pennsylvania, August 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: 1132386, 1132387, 1132388, 1132390, 1132391, 1132392, 1132393, 1132394, 1132395, 1132442, 1132432, 1132411, 1132433, 1132456, 1132471, 1132431, 1132434, 1132437, 1132474, 1132406, 1132417, 1132420, 1132444, 1132422, 1132423, 1132441, 1132445, 1132409, 1132446, 1132403, 1132448, 1132400, 1132424, 1132429, 1132449, 1132398, 1132416, 1132454, 1132451, 1119300, and more.