Strong wind gusts (50-56 mph) along and following a cold frontal passage caused sporadic wind damage across south-central Pennsylvania.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 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.
Strong wind gusts (50-56 mph) along and following a cold frontal passage caused sporadic wind damage across south-central 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 Feb 28, 2:06 PM EST, 2 hours 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 206 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 .SYNOPSIS... -Unseasonably mild today then turning windy and sharply colder this afternoon through tonight -Rounds of moderate to heavy rain showers today with localized strong to potentially damaging wind gusts -Breezy and much colder for Leap Day -Mild pattern resumes Friday as the calender flips to March && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... The main synoptic cold front/wind shift is approaching KBFD/KAGC line as of 1845Z. This feature will be front and center as it bulldozes through CPA this afteroon/evening. Despite very weak instability, the deep layer wind field will remain particularly strong - maintaining the potential for convectively enhanced downward mixing/mtum transport to produce localized strong to isolated damaging wind gusts (5% severe probability). Temps start to tumble from NW to SE later this afternoon as colder air rushes in behind the front. Sub freezing temps are forecast in the NW mtns by 00UTC/7PM. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... Widespread non-convective, strong to potentially damaging winds are likely behind the cold front later this afternoon and tonight. Bufkit soundings and plumes indicate the potential of 50-55 mph gusts. Combination of strong CAA, very steep llvl lapse rates, and 3hr pressure rises of 10+mb/3hr all support wind headline issuance. The westerly flow and downsloping favors the south central Alleghenies with the greatest risk of ~55 mph wind gusts. Strong winds and drier air behind the front should allow roads to dry out before temps crash below freezing over most of the region. We will continue to monitor risk of a flash freeze and highlight with SPS if needed. A brisk and cold west-northwest flow should support scattered lake-enhanced orographic snow showers tonight night into Thursday morning across primarily the NW Mtns. Max snow amounts are up to 2 inches in the favored LE snowbelts and in persistent bands. Wind chills overnight into AM Thursday will be in the positive single digits to mid teens. Seasonably cold and dry air will be advected into the region on Thursday with breezy winds throughout the day. Temperatures on Thursday afternoon will be -25 to -35F compared to Wednesday afternoon, with wind chills making it feel even colder. Model soundings show some very dry air above a weak inversion Thursday afternoon, a scenario which supports undercutting NBM dewpoints. High pressure builds in Thursday night with clearing skies an light winds possibly affording an opportunity to undercut minT guidance given dry air/radiational cooling. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Friday will be the coldest day of the long range as it will likely hold the return of clouds and wet weather as low pressure sneaks up the East Coast. The trough helping to develop the sfc low is caught in a progressive flow pattern. While the sfc low lingers nearby on the Mid Atlantic Coast for a day (thru Sat AM at least), the easterly flow is hardly anomalous. Therefore, the moisture feed into PA will be meager. Expect the rain to struggle to get into the far NW counties. The QPF in the SE will be on the order of 0.25" with perhaps slightly higher amounts SE of Lancaster and York. Upper heights rise along the coast for the next few days. So, we warm up through the weekend to much-above normal temps. Maxes will run in the u50s and l60s for most places for the rest of the period (into Wed). Only the higher elevations will hold in the m50s. The next chc for rain comes in the middle of the new week. But, model divergence increases after Monday, decreasing confidence (low) in the precip forecast for Tue-Wed. The highest we'll go with this forecast package is 40-50pct centered on Tues. Confidence is much higher (medium to high) than we will stay mild/warm for most of next week. && .AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... A strong cold front accompanied by a narrow line of heavy showers will bulldoze eastward across the airspace between 18-24Z. Expect a sharp wind shift from 180-240 degrees to 250-300 degrees behind the front. Sfc gusts will also increase around the time of FROPA and peak between 40-50kt. Gusty winds continue into Thursday before gradually subsiding by later in the day. Brief IFR visibility is most likely with the line of +SHRA; otherwise we are projecting borderline MVFR/IFR cigs to develop across the western airspace this evening (odds better than 50/50) into Thursday morning impacting KBFD/KJST. Much colder air rushing into the airspace downwind of Lake Erie will result in MVFR to IFR snow showers at KBFD and KJST. MVFR to low VFR cigs are probable (>70%) across the central and eastern TAF sites through tomorrow. Outlook... Thu...Lingering MVFR conds N/W. Generally VFR elsewhere. Sfc wind gusts 270-300 degrees 20-30kts decreasing with time. Thu night-Fri...Predominantly VFR areawide. Fri night-Sat...Light rain and reductions possible. Sun-Mon...No sig wx expected. && .CLIMATE... Spring-like warmth will last through midweek before a sharp cool down for Leap Day. Temperatures are forecast to be unseasonably mild and may approach daily records in some places. Here are the daily record max temperatures for select sites in central PA: *New daily record max temp of 58 degrees was set at Bradford yesterday 2/26. This broke the previous record of 55 set back in 1976. Wednesday, February 28: ----------------------- Harrisburg: 68/1976 Williamsport: 68/2016 State College: 63/2016 Altoona: 64/2018 Bradford: 59/2018 A few daily high minimum temperatures are possible on Wednesday. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for PAZ004>006-010>012- 017>019-024>027-033>035-045. Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for PAZ028-036-037-041- 042-046-049>053-056>059-063>066. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Steinbugl SHORT TERM...Steinbugl LONG TERM...Dangelo AVIATION...Steinbugl CLIMATE...Steinbugl
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 157 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 PAZ028-036-049>053-056>059-063>066-291900- Juniata-Franklin-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Perry- Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 157 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THURSDAY... 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ004-005-010-011-017-024-033-291900- Warren-McKean-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset- 157 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THURSDAY... 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. Plummeting temperatures tonight along with snow showers could result in locally hazardous driving conditions. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Light snow accumulation and gusty winds could result in locally hazardous travel conditions Thursday morning. Wind chills values will drop into the positive single digits Thursday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ037-041-042-046-291900- Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Lycoming- 157 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THURSDAY... 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. Plummeting temperatures tonight along with snow showers could result in locally hazardous driving conditions. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ006-012-018-019-025>027-034-035-045-291900- Potter-Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Blair- Huntingdon-Mifflin-Bedford-Fulton-Southern Clinton- 157 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST THURSDAY... 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. Plummeting temperatures tonight along with snow showers could result in locally hazardous driving conditions. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. MRS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service State College PA 1232 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 PAZ004-005-281830- McKean-Warren- 1232 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...A LINE OF HEAVY RAIN SHOWER WITH WIND GUSTS OVER 45 MPH WILL AFFECT WARREN AND NORTHWESTERN MCKEAN COUNTIES... At 1227 PM EST, a line of gusty rain showers was located from near Jamestown to 18 miles northwest of Warren to 10 miles north of Franklin. Movement was northeast at 60 mph. Locations impacted include... Warren, Bradford, Allegany State Park, Sheffield, Columbus, Youngsville, Wetmore, Russell, Spring Creek, Lottsville, Scandia, Ludlow, Marshburg, Grand Valley, Warren South, Garland, Kinzua Dam, Chapman State Park, Tidioute, and Sugar Grove. This gusty rain showers may intensify and could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. && LAT...LON 4200 7857 4162 7894 4165 7961 4200 7960 TIME...MOT...LOC 1727Z 245DEG 54KT 4222 7921 4195 7946 4154 7987 Lambert
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
329 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
PAZ012-017-018-282100-
Northern Centre-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-
329 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
...A RAIN SHOWER WITH WIND GUSTS OVER 50 MPH WILL AFFECT EAST CENTRAL
CLEARFIELD...NORTHWESTERN CENTRE AND NORTHWESTERN CLINTON COUNTIES...
At 329 PM EST, a gusty rain shower was located 13 miles east of
Clearfield, moving northeast at 60 mph.
Locations impacted include...
Keating, Woodland, Renovo, Karthaus, Snow Shoe, Clarence, South
Renovo, Moshannon, Pine Glen, Monument, Hyner, Lecontes Mills,
Morrisdale, West Decatur, Grassflat, Kylertown, Wallaceton, and
Orviston.
This gusty rain shower may intensify. If outdoors, consider seeking
shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4137 7765 4110 7759 4097 7785 4092 7835
4107 7835
TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 244DEG 52KT 4104 7818
BanghoffSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
413 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
PAZ019-026-027-282200-
Huntingdon PA-Mifflin PA-Southern Centre PA-
413 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
...A GUSTY SHOWER WILL IMPACT CENTRAL HUNTINGDON...MIFFLIN AND
SOUTHEASTERN CENTRE COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EST...
At 413 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a gusty shower along a line
extending from near State College to 13 miles southeast of
Hollidaysburg. Movement was east 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...
State College, Lewistown, Huntingdon, Woodward, Boalsburg, Pleasant
Gap, Mount Union, Lemont, Burnham, Zion, Belleville, Houserville,
Pine Grove Mills, Milroy, Highland Park, Centre Hall, Yeagertown,
Millheim, Strodes Mills, and Reedsville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4026 7825 4030 7826 4050 7813 4096 7769
4098 7752 4097 7749 4102 7718 4085 7736
4070 7735 4069 7730 4062 7748 4058 7750
4051 7761 4038 7775 4032 7774
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 255DEG 39KT 4075 7769 4032 7818
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ColbertThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong winds in Bedford County on the evening of February 28, 2024 knocked down multiple trees and power lines in Monroe Township.
Strong winds in Mifflin County on the evening of February 28, 2024 uprooted a tree, knocked down power lines, and tore off some sheet metal roofing at Kish Park in Derry Township near Lewistown.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, February 2024
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: 1154907, 1154908.