Pennsylvania, 2024

Hail and Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, June 26, 2024

June 26, 2024 · NWS PHI · 25 events in 6 counties and zones

A very hot and humid airmass was in place as a cold front moved in. This resulted in several strong to severe thunderstorms developing, with storms mainly bringing damaging wind gusts to portions of eastern Pennsylvania.

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
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
25

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 PHI wrote it up.

A very hot and humid airmass was in place as a cold front moved in. This resulted in several strong to severe thunderstorms developing, with storms mainly bringing damaging wind gusts to portions of eastern Pennsylvania.

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 Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 26, 3:19 PM EST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 26, 3:19 PM EST, 2 hours 3 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
419 PM EDT Wed Jun 26 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will move across the region late tonight through
Thursday morning. High pressure then builds in from the north
and west before moving offshore by Saturday. A warm front lifts
north through the region on Saturday, followed by a cold front
on Sunday. High pressure returns for the first half of the new
work week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
A cold front slowly approaches from the west. A hot and humid
airmass is in place over the area with temperatures currently in
the 90s and dew points in the 60s. Heat Advisory remains in
effect for portions of New Jersey, southeast Pennsylvania, and
northern Delaware until 9 pm.

Model trends have gone with a slower approach with the
development of convection, having initiation in the evening and
at night. As a result, by the time convection develops,
instability will begin to diminish with loss of diurnal
heating. MUCAPE values will range from 1500 to 2500 J/kg along
with 35 to 40 kt of 0-6 km Bulk Shear and PWATs around 2 inches.
A few storms are possible starting around 6 pm, mainly in the
far western zones, but activity begins around 8 pm with the bulk
of the activity after 10 pm. By then, MU CAPE values will be
down to around 1000 to 1500 J/kg. The primary threat will be
damaging wind gusts. With PWATs around 2 inches, heavy rain is a
secondary threat. Given that 0-6 km Bulk Shear will be 35 to 40
kt, increasing to 40 to 50 kt, storms should be moving fairly
quickly, mitigating the flash flood threat somewhat. Still
cannot rule out localized flash flooding.

Cold front slowly works through the region tonight, but does not
clear the region until Thursday morning. Since it will be quite
muggy and dew points will not fall until Thursday afternoon,
patchy fog will develop, especially in areas where it rains.

Temperatures return to more seasonal levels on Thursday, topping
off in the mid to upper 80s. Surface dew points will fall into
the 50s during the afternoon as well.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
High pressure over the Great Lakes Thursday evening builds east
on Friday, and then the center of the high should be east of
Cape Cod Friday night. Tranquil conditions expected during this
time. Lows Thursday night will generally be in the low to mid
60s, though the southern Poconos could get down into the 50s.
Sunny and pleasant on Friday with seasonably warm temperatures.
Highs will be in the low to mid 80s, though cooler at the coasts
and in the mountains. Due to increasing cloud cover, lows will
be a few degrees warmer Friday night compared to Thursday night.

On Saturday, low pressure will be moving across the Northern
Plains and into the northern Great Lakes. A warm front will
develop out ahead of this system, and that will lift through the
eastern third of the U.S. Saturday afternoon. Surface dew
points will rise into the 70s throughout the region, and with
highs in the 80s, heat index values will be in the low to mid
90s.

Shortwave energy passing through the region will spark off
showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, with locally heavy
rain and gusty winds being the primary threats.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Lingering showers and thunderstorms will continue through
Saturday night. It will be a warm and humid night with lows in
the 70s, though not much below 80 from Philadelphia to
Wilmington and in Delmarva. In addition, surface dew points will
be well in the 70s, which will make for probably the most
uncomfortable night of the season so far.

Hot and humid again on Sunday with highs in the upper 80s to
low 90s, but surface dew points will be well in the mid to upper
70s. This should yield heat index values in the upper 90s to
around 100. A cold front approaches from the west, sparking off
another round of showers and thunderstorms, some of which could
be severe with damaging winds and heavy rain that could result
in localized flooding as PWATs could approach 2.5 inches.

Showers and thunderstorms taper off Sunday night as the cold
front works its way through the region.

High pressure then builds through the first half of the new
work week with seasonably warm temperatures and low humidity.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Rest of today...VFR until 00Z. A few SHRA/TSRA may impact
KRDG/KABE after 22Z with brief sub-VFR conditions. TSRA at KTTN-
KPNE-KPHL-KILG look to hold off until right around 00Z. SW winds
5 to 10 kt, through sea breezes at KACY and KMIV will have
winds S 10 to 15 kt. Moderate confidence.

Tonight...Several rounds of SHRA/TSRA will impact the
terminals. The strongest TSRA will impact the terminals between
00Z and 06Z, then lingering SHRA/TSRA possible thereafter. The
strongest storms may produce wind gusts in excess of 40 kt. Sub-
VFR conditions in any storms, then MVFR CIGs develop after 06Z.
SW winds 5 to 10 kt may become LGT/VRB for a few hours before
becoming NW 5 to 10 kt prior to 12Z. Low confidence.

Thursday...Lingering MVFR CIGs at KMIV/KACY, otherwise, VFR.
W-NW winds 5 to 10 kt in the morning, then around 10 kt with
occasional gusts to 20 kt in the afternoon. High confidence.

Outlook...

Thursday night through Friday...VFR

Saturday through Sunday night...VFR overall during the day.
Afternoon and evening SHRA/TSRA will result in sub-VFR
conditions. Sub- VFR VSBYs in fog possible Saturday night and
Sunday night.

Monday...VFR.

&&

.MARINE...
Will continue the Small Craft Advisory in effect for most of
tonight. S winds will continue to increase going into this
evening and will range from 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt
and seas building to around 5 feet. Winds turn west on Thursday
at 10 to 15 kt.

There is an area of marine dense fog over southern NJ ocean
waters. Will go ahead and issue a Marine Dense Fog Advisory
until 10 pm this evening.

Showers and thunderstorms tonight will result in wind gusts of
40 kt or higher and VSBY restrictions in heavy rain.

Outlook...

Thursday night through Friday night...Sub-SCA conditions. Fair
weather.

Saturday through Sunday night...SCA conditions developing
Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms
will impact the waters during this time.

Monday...Sub-SCA conditions.

Rip Currents...

Thursday...West to northwesterly winds around 10-15 mph in the
morning, will becoming southerly around 5-10 mph in the
afternoon. Breaking waves around 2-3 feet for New Jersey beaches
and 1-2 feet for Delaware beaches. Due to higher waves along
New Jersey beaches, opted for a MODERATE Risk of dangerous rip
currents there and a LOW Risk for the Delaware beaches.

Friday...Northeast to easterly winds around 15 mph may gust
around 20 mph in the afternoon. Breaking waves around 2-3 feet
for all beaches. With more of an onshore flow component to the
wind and winds being a bit greater than Thursday, have opted to
go with a MODERATE Risk of dangerous rip currents for all NJ/DE
beaches on Friday.

For specific beach forecasts, visit weather.gov/beach/phi

&&

.CLIMATE...
Record high temperatures for today.

Location               Record High (6/26)
Philadelphia, PA.......100/1952
Allentown, PA..........99/1952
Reading, PA............102/1952
Mount Pocono, PA.......92/1952
Trenton, NJ............100/1952
AC Airport, NJ.........98/1952
AC Marina, NJ..........99/1952
Wilmington, DE.........99/1952
Georgetown, DE.........99/1952

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Heat Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for PAZ070-071-102-
     104-106.
NJ...Heat Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for NJZ010-012-013-
     015-017>020-027.
     Air Quality Alert until 11 PM EDT this evening for NJZ012>015-
     017>020-026-027.
     High Risk for Rip Currents until 8 PM EDT this evening for NJZ014-
     024>026.
DE...Heat Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for DEZ001.
MD...Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for MDZ012-015.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Thursday for ANZ450>453.
     Dense Fog Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for ANZ451>453.
     Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for ANZ454-
     455.

&&

SYNOPSIS...MPS
NEAR TERM...MPS
SHORT TERM...MPS
LONG TERM...MPS
AVIATION...MPS
MARINE...DeSilva/MPS
CLIMATE...WFO PHI

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 152 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:22 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

23 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:22 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 1.38 mi N of West Hamburg
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
40.570, -76.000

Tree down on Port Clinton Ave with power lines down. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:26 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 2.72 mi WSW of Centerport
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
40.470, -76.070

Wires down on Irish Creek Rd in Penn Twp. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:31 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 0.87 mi NW of Centerport
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.490, -76.030

Delayed report. Centre Twp: Shartlesville Rd & Trolly Rd - Tree & Wires Down. Time estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 26, 5:35 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, Jim Thorpe
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.870, -75.730

Delayed report. Numerous trees (some large) down throughout Jim Thorpe with road closures. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 26, 5:35 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, 0.52 mi E of Lehighton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
State Official
Coordinates
40.830, -75.710

Several trees down from Mahoning Township to Franklin Township. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:43 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 0.87 mi NW of Stony Creek Mills
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
40.360, -75.880

Tree down near intersection of Angora Rd and Warner Rd in Lower Alsace Twp. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:45 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 1.05 mi E of Maiden Creek
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.450, -75.900

Corrects previous non-tstm wnd dmg report from Maiden Creek. Large tree uprooted over a driveway. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 26, 5:47 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, 2.09 mi SE of Lake Harmony
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
41.050, -75.600

NWS storm survey conducted on wind damage in Kidder Township near Lake Harmony. Path of snapped and uprooted trees began on Chalet Court. Along Chalet Court and Lupine Drive from Chalet to Spring Street snapped and uprooted trees caused damage to nearby residences including damage to sheds and porch railings. Near the intersection of Lupine Drive and Spring Street, at least 10 trees were either uprooted or snapped in a wooded lot. Additional trees were uprooted along Pineknoll Drive. More sporadic tree damage, including large limbs felled, was noted along the loop of Skye Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:48 PM EST
Where
Berks County, Berkley
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
40.430, -75.930

Wires down across railroad tracks and on roadway near Leesport Ave and Snyder Rd in Ontelaunee Twp. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 26, 5:50 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, 2.2 mi ESE of Lake Harmony
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
State Official
Coordinates
41.060, -75.590

Several trees down in the Lake Harmony area. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
June 26, 5:51 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.48 mi NNE of Pocono Pines
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
41.120, -75.460

Multiple trees down across roads in Pocono Pines. Time estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 26, 5:53 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 0.87 mi NW of Five Pts
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
40.380, -75.840

Beckers Rd - Wires Down arching and sparking in Alsace Twp. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lehigh

When
June 26, 5:57 PM EST
Where
Lehigh County, 0.87 mi SE of Fogelsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.570, -75.620

Large branches down across road in Upper Macungie Twp. Time estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 26, 5:58 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 0.87 mi SE of Weaversville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.670, -75.420

Trained spotter relays report of 58.1 mph wind gust on a calibrated vortex inspeed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lehigh

When
June 26, 6:05 PM EST
Where
Lehigh County, Coplay
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.670, -75.500

Several large branches snapped off that are 3-4 inches thick. No damage to structures. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lehigh

When
June 26, 6:09 PM EST
Where
Lehigh County, 1.48 mi SSE of (Abe)lehigh Valley International Airport
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.630, -75.430

Large tree uprooted and lying across road on N Ulster Street. Time estimated.

Hail, Lehigh

When
June 26, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Lehigh County, 0.52 mi E of Fullerton
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.630, -75.470

Multiple reports of penny size hail near Whitehall Township. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 26, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 1.48 mi SSW of Sandts Eddy
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.730, -75.190

A trained spotter measures 59 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 26, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 0.69 mi N of Fountain Hill
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.610, -75.380

Large tree branches down across Columbia Street in Bethlehem. Time estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 26, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 0.69 mi S of Bethlehem
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.620, -75.380

Trees down across the road on Center Street in Bethlehem. Time estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 26, 6:11 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 0.52 mi W of Hellertown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.580, -75.340

Power lines and trees down in Hellertown. Time estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 26, 6:13 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 0.69 mi N of South Easton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.690, -75.220

Large tree down on top of a garage and several cars near 8th and Wood Street. Time estimated.

Hail, Lehigh

When
June 26, 6:14 PM EST
Where
Lehigh County, 1.48 mi NNW of Gauff Hill
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.620, -75.410

Spotter network report of dime to penny size hail. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
June 26, 9:45 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, 1.06 mi W of Jenkintown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.100, -75.140

Large tree branch down on wires with other large limbs down on Paxson Ave in Glenside.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
June 26, 9:46 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, 0.53 mi W of Jenkintown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.100, -75.130

Pictures from a trained spotter showed some downed trees and wires on Baeder Road, Rodman Avenue and Old York Road. A downed tree landed onto a house on Rodman Avenue. Time estimated from radar.

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

More

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, June 2024

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: 1197386, 1197387, 1197408, 1197404, 1197406, 1197388, 1197398, 1197411, 1197389, 1197405, 1197402, 1197391, 1197393, 1197401, 1197392, 1197397, 1197383, 1197394, 1197395, 1197396, 1197400, 1197399, 1197384, 1197410, 1197409.