Hail and Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, June 3, 2023

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, June 3, 2023
Start: 2023-06-03T13:34
End: 2023-06-03T16:47
Location: Pennsylvania

June 3, 2023 · NWS PBZ · 14 events in 4 counties and zones

Thunderstorms developed along a weak cold front the afternoon of June 3rd. With mid-level dry air prompting high DCAPE values (over 1000J/kg), damaging wind gusts were the main concern.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $10,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS PBZ wrote it up.

Thunderstorms developed along a weak cold front the afternoon of June 3rd. With mid-level dry air prompting high DCAPE values (over 1000J/kg), damaging wind gusts were the main concern. However, hail the size of quarters fell in a few isolated storms due to higher terrain prompting a lower freezing level and a few storms mergers.

What forecasters said that day

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 Jun 3, 12:26 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 3, 12:26 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
126 PM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
There is a chance for a shower or thunderstorm with the passage
of a weak front today, mainly south and east of Pittsburgh. most
of the region will remain dry for the bulk of the weekend.
Temperatures will remain above average through the weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Update-Adjusted POPs for today based on the latest observations
and near term guidance. Convection has fired mainly across the
higher terrain areas of Western PA and WV, and should continue
through evening with a crossing shortwave. 12Z PIT sounding
shows potential gusty wind with dry mid level air in place and
DCAPE around 1000 j/kg. Deep mixing should result in highs from
85 to 90 across most of the region.

Previous-Upper High that has been bring warm and dry weather
has backed west into northern Minnesota and will continue to
retrograde today and tonight into North Dakota. Although there
were some 90F maximum temperatures around the area Friday
(including record highs of 91F at PHD and DUJ), PIT just missed
with a high of 89F. While this was the warmest reading so far in
2023, it fell a little short of NBM/ensemble expectations for
the past week leading up to Friday. The 00z PBZ sounding was
18.4C at 850 mb, so the +20C forecasts from some of the warmer
guidance along with low probabilities of hitting record highs
was a bit too aggressive.

The upper low over northern Maine will head south and deepen as
it moves over Cape Cod MA. This will push a weak cold front
through the upper Ohio Valley area this afternoon along with a
modest increase in moisture. There were scattered thunderstorms
with this feature over New England and eastern New York and
eastern PA on Friday, and that appears to be likely this
afternoon and evening mainly over the southern and eastern zones
and especially the higher terrain in West Virginia. There were
quite a few reports of damaging wind gusts, mainly due to deep
boundary layers relatively large temperature-dewpoint spreads.

With day after day of sunshine and deep mixing (boundary layer
was up to 715 mb per 00z PBZ sounding), Tds in the 50s this
afternoon will result in moderate instability with afternoon
SBCAPE of 1,500 j/kg. Combined with DCAPE values around 1,300
j/kg, any thunderstorms that develop will have the potential for
gusty winds due to significant evaporational cooling below cloud
base. SPC has added a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms
today for all but the northern few counties.

QPF will be rather light over most of the area but the higher
terrain of West Virginia (especially Tucker County) looks to
have potential for 0.25 to 0.50" of rainfall.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Upper Low meanders over the coastal waters of New England for
several days with gradually falling heights over the Upper Ohio
River Valley area. This should result in temperatures gradually
returning to near normal. The northerly flow should be mainly
dry but an afternoon shower would not be impossible as several
short wave troughs rotating around the west side of the upper
low during the period.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Global and ensemble guidance shows a well defined short wave
trough digging on the west side of persistent upper low over
Maine. This feature is shown to be dropping across MI and OH on
Wednesday and could trigger showers. In fact the ECMWF has a
pocket of 500 mb temperatures as low as -23C over western PA
which would create rather steep lapse rates.   There is little
change shown to the pattern Thursday and Friday as the upper low
remains over the Maine area with various hard to time short
wave troughs rotating around it. Small chances for showers are
expected in this pattern but confidence in significant rainfall
is rather low at this point.

&&

.AVIATION /17Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A weak shortwave and cold front will continue to track from
north to south today and spark isolated convection at a few
terminals. With insufficient moisture within the boundary layer
from diurnal mixing, cigs should stay VFR regardless of
showers/isolated storm activity. Probabilities are considered
slightly higher for lightning formation near LBE/MGW with the
current satellite and radar analysis. Thus, continued TEMPO
remarks. Convection coverage should diminish with mid-lvl dry
air advancing from the north strengthening the ridge after 00Z.

.OUTLOOK...
High pressure will maintain VFR through Tuesday. Limited
restriction potential returns Wednesday with a crossing trough.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...None.
OH...None.
WV...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Craven
NEAR TERM...Craven/WM
SHORT TERM...Craven
LONG TERM...Craven
AVIATION...Hefferan

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 3, 1:25 AM EST, 12 hours 9 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
225 AM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

PAZ007>009-015-016-040630-
Mercer-Venango-Forest-Clarion-Jefferson PA-
225 AM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania and
western Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ013-014-020>022-029-031-
073>078-WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-040630-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Lawrence-Butler-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-
225 AM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and
evening. Strong damaging wind gusts would be primary threat, but a
secondary threat of large hail is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

Craven

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 3, 1:07 PM EST, 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
207 PM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

WVZ512>514-031845-
Eastern Preston WV-Eastern Tucker WV-Western Tucker WV-
207 PM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN TUCKER AND SOUTH CENTRAL
PRESTON COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM EDT...

At 206 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Rowlesburg, moving southwest at 25 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...
Parsons, Hambleton, Hannahsville, Lead Mine, Pifer Moutain,
Davisville, Saint George, and Pheasant Run.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3904 7978 3908 7978 3911 7980 3912 7983
      3913 7984 3916 7983 3919 7983 3922 7981
      3923 7981 3924 7982 3931 7967 3921 7950
      3902 7971
TIME...MOT...LOC 1806Z 047DEG 21KT 3923 7965

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

WM

Special weather statement, Jun 3, 1:22 PM EST, 12 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
222 PM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

PAZ075-076-WVZ509>512-031845-
Fayette Ridges PA-Fayette PA-Eastern Preston WV-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston WV-
Monongalia WV-Preston WV-
222 PM EDT Sat Jun 3 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE...
NORTHEASTERN MONONGALIA AND NORTHEASTERN PRESTON COUNTIES THROUGH 245
PM EDT...

At 222 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Farmington, or 15 miles southeast of Uniontown, moving west at 25
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Kingwood, Farmington, Albright, Markleysburg, Brandonville, Bruceton
Mills, Valley Point, Laurel Run, Hazelton, Clifton Mills, and Cheat
Lake.

This includes Interstate 68 in West Virginia between mile markers 13
and 31.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3977 7986 3985 7942 3979 7939 3978 7939
      3977 7938 3976 7940 3974 7940 3974 7941
      3973 7941 3973 7939 3972 7939 3972 7948
      3960 7948 3943 7973
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 069DEG 21KT 3974 7949

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

WM

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:34 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Indiana

When: June 3, 1:34 PM EST
Where: Indiana County, 0.52 mi W of Claypoole Hgts
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.620, -79.190

Citizens report tree and power liens down along US 422.

Hail, Indiana

When: June 3, 2:15 PM EST
Where: Indiana County, 1.48 mi NNW of Lovejoy
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.740, -78.960

Quarter size hail reported by the public.

Hail, Indiana

When: June 3, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Indiana County, 0.87 mi SW of Commodore
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.710, -78.940

Pictures provided via social media of nickel hail.

Hail, Indiana

When: June 3, 2:46 PM EST
Where: Indiana County, 0.52 mi W of Rochester Mills
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.820, -78.990

Public reported nickel hail.

Hail, Allegheny

When: June 3, 3:35 PM EST
Where: Allegheny County, 1.72 mi WNW of Parkview
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.530, -79.930

Quarter sized hail reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 3, 4:14 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 0.87 mi NW of Strabane
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.260, -80.190

A trained spotter reported a tree down on a car in Canonsburg, PA on North Central Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 3, 4:19 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 1.38 mi S of Strabane
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.230, -80.180

Emergency manger reported State Route 19 closed due to trees and wires down.

Hail, Greene

When: June 3, 4:27 PM EST
Where: Greene County, 1.27 mi WSW of Nemacolin
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.860, -79.950

Nickel hail reported at intersection of Route 21 and Route 88.

Hail, Greene

When: June 3, 4:28 PM EST
Where: Greene County, 0.87 mi SE of Paisley
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.860, -79.960

Quarter sized hail reported along Route 21.

Hail, Washington

When: June 3, 4:28 PM EST
Where: Washington County, 1.26 mi ENE of Manifold
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.210, -80.200

Quarter sized hail reported along I-70 near Racetrack Road and Fischer Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: June 3, 4:29 PM EST
Where: Greene County, 1.74 mi SW of Jefferson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.910, -80.090

Trees and wires down along Creek Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: June 3, 4:32 PM EST
Where: Greene County, 0.69 mi S of Lippincott
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.920, -80.130

Trees down near Braden Run Road and Route 188.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: June 3, 4:37 PM EST
Where: Greene County, 0.87 mi SW of Waynesburg Arpt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.890, -80.140

Large limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: June 3, 4:47 PM EST
Where: Greene County, 2.61 mi NE of Oak Forest
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.860, -80.200

Trees down near Orndorff Route and Route 218.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Pennsylvania, June 2023

Sources

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: 1109753, 1109754, 1109755, 1109756, 1109757, 1109758, 1109759, 1109767, 1109760, 1109761, 1109762, 1109764, 1109765, 1109766.