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 25, 12:28 AM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 128 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 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 THIS 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 THIS MORNING THROUGH 6 PM 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 /06Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Made a few updates to tracks and timing. Stratiform rain may hang on a little longer than expected this morning behind the MCS. Otherwise, the forecast remains on track. .. Previous Discussion.. 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/88 SHORT TERM...Rackley LONG TERM...Rackley AVIATION...WM/Milcarek
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
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
CLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
105 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
OHZ039-040-048>050-250545-
Jefferson OH-Tuscarawas OH-Coshocton OH-Harrison OH-Carroll OH-
105 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN HARRISON...WEST CENTRAL
JEFFERSON...NORTHEASTERN COSHOCTON...SOUTHWESTERN CARROLL AND
TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES THROUGH 145 AM EDT...
At 105 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near East Sparta to near Millersburg. Movement
was southeast at 50 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...
New Philadelphia, Dover, Uhrichsville, Newcomerstown, Dennison,
Strasburg, Sugarcreek, Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas, Hopedale, Baltic,
Scio, Midvale, Mineral City, Jewett, Port Washington, Bowerston,
Barnhill, Dellroy, and Sherrodsville.
This includes Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 62 and 92.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for
east central Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 4044 8167 4061 8166 4064 8132 4034 8084
4023 8159 4045 8194
TIME...MOT...LOC 0505Z 300DEG 41KT 4063 8136 4057 8195
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
206 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
PAZ029-031-073>076-250630-
Fayette Ridges PA-Westmoreland Ridges PA-Greene PA-Westmoreland PA-
Washington PA-Fayette PA-
206 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON...
WESTMORELAND...NORTHEASTERN GREENE AND FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 230
AM EDT...
At 204 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Latrobe to near Monessen to 8 miles
northwest of Waynesburg. Movement was southeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Greensburg, Uniontown, Jeannette, Latrobe, Connellsville, Waynesburg,
Monessen, California, Donora, Mount Pleasant, Scottdale, Charleroi,
Masontown, McChesneytown-Loyalhanna, Youngwood, Derry, West Newton,
Bentleyville, Lawson Heights, and Brownsville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 35 and 57.
Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 68 and 99.
Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 6 and 25.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4020 7913 4018 7913 4018 7914 4016 7914
4016 7916 4012 7917 4011 7918 4012 7921
4010 7923 4009 7926 3993 7938 3990 7944
3972 7994 3997 8043 4015 7992 4023 7979
4023 7978 4024 7978 4045 7945 4031 7904
TIME...MOT...LOC 0604Z 305DEG 38KT 4040 7939 4011 7985 3997 8032
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
214 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
OHZ057-058-068-250645-
Guernsey OH-Noble OH-Muskingum OH-
214 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN GUERNSEY...NORTHEASTERN
MUSKINGUM AND NORTHWESTERN NOBLE COUNTIES THROUGH 245 AM EDT...
At 214 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
New Concord, or 11 miles west of Cambridge, moving southeast at 35
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Cambridge, New Concord, Byesville, Senecaville, Pleasant City,
Cumberland, Lore City, Salesville, and Norwich.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 70 in Ohio between mile markers 164 and 185.
Interstate 77 in Ohio between mile markers 35 and 48.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4002 8190 4012 8178 3998 8131 3982 8164
TIME...MOT...LOC 0614Z 302DEG 31KT 4003 8180
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
HefferanSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
214 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
PAZ073-074-077-078-250645-
Higher Elevations of Indiana PA-Westmoreland Ridges PA-
Westmoreland PA-Indiana PA-
214 AM EDT Fri Aug 25 2023
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA AND EAST
CENTRAL WESTMORELAND COUNTIES THROUGH 245 AM EDT...
At 214 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending!** weakened. from 10 miles south of Punxsutawney
to near Derry.
Movement was southeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Homer City, Blairsville, Black Lick, Clymer, New Florence, Seward,
Bolivar, Cherry Tree, Armagh, Lucerne Mines, Commodore, Brush Vly,
and Yellow Creek State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4046 7894 4030 7905 4040 7941 4080 7883
4079 7881 4072 7880
TIME...MOT...LOC 0614Z 299DEG 40KT 4080 7899 4040 7936
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CLThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Report of a few trees and power lines down in the Cheat Lake, WV area.
Morgantown, WV ASOS measured 67mph wind gust.
Report of trees down near the Brookhaven, WV region.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, 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: 1132372, 1132371, 1132373.