Pennsylvania, 2024

Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, June 30, 2024

June 30, 2024 · NWS PHI · 17 events in 6 counties and zones

A very warm and moist airmass was in place as a strong cold front moved into the Mid-Atlantic. This resulted in several showers and thunderstorms developing, which brought damaging wind gusts, knocking down trees and power lines across 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
17

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 warm and moist airmass was in place as a strong cold front moved into the Mid-Atlantic. This resulted in several showers and thunderstorms developing, which brought damaging wind gusts, knocking down trees and power lines across 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 30, 11:38 AM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 30, 11:38 AM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1238 PM EDT Sun Jun 30 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Showers and thunderstorms early this morning and then again this
afternoon and evening prior to a cold front moving across the
area. High pressure builds in Monday through Tuesday before
moving offshore Wednesday. A surface trough arrives on Thursday
as a cold front may approach from the northwest Friday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
The low clouds over the area have been slow to scatter out and
have kept developing over the area. This has kept temperatures
on the lower side. Went ahead and lowered the high temperature
forecast today by a couple of degrees. Will keep the Heat
Advisory going for a few more hours as surface dew points are
well in the 70s, and even around 80 in some spots. Max Heat
Index values should get up around 100 by this afternoon.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 489 remains in effect for most of the
area.

The Storm Prediction Center has New Jersey and portions of
southeast Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, in an Enhanced
Risk (3 out of 5) for severe weather this afternoon and evening.

Deep southerly flow will be maintained today ahead of a cold
front. This will strengthen some and as the boundary layer
warms, a gusty southerly breeze should commence especially
across the coastal plain this afternoon.

While low pressure tracks well to our north, an incoming upper-
level trough will push a cold front across our region late today
and this evening. Some showers and thunderstorms are forecast
to develop, however a pre-frontal trough may focus much of the
convective development along and south/east of the I-95
corridor. Given the heat and high humidity in place coupled with
ample instability (MLCAPE up to 2000 J/kg) and effective shear
of 40 knots will support some discrete storms although these
should organize into more of a linear mode. Severe thunderstorms
are certainly possible, especially the more organized they
become, with damaging straight- line winds and some hail the
main hazards. The downburst potential could become enhanced
especially given the high precipitable water environment and
with some model forecast soundings showing an inverted-V low-
level profile. This would increase the downdraft instability or
DCAPE. The environment looks conducive for thunderstorms that
have a taller and stronger core to produce frequent cloud to
ground lightning and stronger outflow winds. The low-level flow
is also forecast to veer some and therefore the 0-1km SRH
decreases with time. The precipitable water values may start to
lower later in the afternoon although this will depend on the
eastward progression of the trough/cold front, however locally
very heavy rain will occur with any stronger convection.
Convection will be moving and therefore the flash flooding
threat looks more limited. It will then dry out by later tonight
in the wake of the cold front, and dew points will also be on
the decrease especially overnight.

&&

.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
High pressure will be the name of the game during the short term
forecast period. This will bring a dry and pleasant start to
the new month across the region. Ushered in by breezy north-
northwest winds, temperatures on Monday will top out in just
the upper 70s to low 80s across the region. This is 5 degrees
or so below normal for the beginning of July. Dew points will be
lower as well, in the 50s, making conditions quite comfortable.
Lows Monday night look to be in the upper 50s to low 60s.

Highs on Tuesday will be closer to normal, mainly in the low-
mid 80s. However, with dew points forecast to remain in the 50s,
another pleasant day looks to be on tap. Lows Tuesday night will
be a touch warmer as well, mainly in the low-mid 60s.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Summary...Less humid to start then the heat and humidity spikes
Thursday, followed by a little cooling but remaining humid. Some
convection possible late in the week. Few changes from the
previous forecast.

Synoptic Overview...A mid/upper level ridge remains in place
Wednesday, then some influence from a Canadian upper-level
trough will push the ridge southward some Thursday and Friday.
At the surface, a warm front lifts northward Wednesday then a
trough arrives Thursday with a cold front approaching from the
northwest Friday.

Wednesday...Surface high should remain the dominant feature for
one more day, leading to one more day of tranquil conditions. As
the high shifts further off shore though, southwesterly flow
will develop, leading to increasing dewpoints, although,
guidance still shows the dew points in the lower 60s even late
on Wednesday, which is humid, but not oppressively humid.

Thursday (Independence Day) through Saturday...Southerly flow
becomes more established leading to hot and humid conditions all
three days (though Saturday is dependent on if a cold front will
stay northwest of our region. The influence of a Canadian
upper-level trough will start to approach during Thursday,
however the timing and amplitude of this trough is less certain.
As of now, the main trough is more toward the Midwest and
therefore a cold front may be slow to approach our area late in
the week. There may be a pre-frontal trough in our vicinity
Thursday into Friday and this may provide enough focus amid a
destabilizing air mass to initiate some convection.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Today...MVFR/IFR CIGs will persist for a few more hours before
lifting to VFR by 18Z-19Z. More organized SHRA/TSRA will begin
to develop around then. Strong west to northwest winds can
accompany the more intense thunderstorms later this afternoon.
Southwesterly winds increasing to 10-15 knots with some gusts to
around 20 knots, then winds should start to become westerly
toward early evening. Low confidence on the details.

Tonight...Areas of sub-VFR conditions with showers and
thunderstorms for a portion of the evening, then VFR. Strong
west to northwest winds can accompany the more intense
thunderstorms. West to northwest winds 5-10 knots, becoming
north-northwest 10-15 knots. Low confidence on the details.

Outlook...

Monday through Wednesday...VFR with no significant weather.

Thursday...Sub-VFR conditions possible with chances (25-35%)
for SHRA and TSRA, especially in the afternoon.

&&

.MARINE...
Southerly flow will be maintained today ahead of a cold front
with some increase as the low-level flow also increases. Mixing
over the cooler waters will be limited some. Will maintain the
Small Craft Advisory for the New Jersey and Delaware Atlantic
waters into early this evening for now as some gusts up to 25
knots and seas up to 5 feet are still possible. Some showers and
a thunderstorm early this morning, then additional showers and
thunderstorms later this afternoon and tonight with locally
strong winds. Some fog may occur through this morning especially
nearshore with visibility restrictions. The conditions improve
overnight as a cold front shifts out to sea.

Outlook...

Monday through Thursday...Conditions are forecast to be below
Small Craft Advisory criteria.

Rip Currents...

Today...South-southwest winds 15-20 mph with breaking waves of
2-3 feet are expected. Swell periods are expected to be up to
6-7 seconds in length. Due to winds and a longer swell period,
have gone with a MODERATE risk for the development of dangerous
rip currents for both the Jersey Shore and Delaware Beaches.

Monday...North-northeast winds 10-15 mph with breaking waves
around 2 feet. Given the elevated winds and waves still around
2 feet, opted to go with a MODERATE risk for the development of
dangerous rip currents for both the Jersey Shore and the
Delaware Beaches.

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

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for PAZ070-071-102-
     104-106.
NJ...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for NJZ010-012-013-
     015-017>020-027.
DE...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for DEZ001.
MD...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for MDZ012-015-019-
     020.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for
     ANZ450>455.

&&

SYNOPSIS...AKL/Gorse/Johnson
NEAR TERM...Gorse/MPS
SHORT TERM...AKL
LONG TERM...AKL/Gorse/Johnson
AVIATION...AKL/Gorse/MPS
MARINE...AKL/Gorse

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 30, 10:21 AM EST, 2 hours 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1121 AM EDT Sun Jun 30 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1045 AM     Flash Flood      1 SW Ocean City         39.27N 74.59W
06/30/2024                   Cape May           NJ   Cocorahs

            Report of vehicles flooded and portions of
            Have Avenue impassable. Time estimated from
            radar.

&&

SFJ

The radar

The Binghamton radar (KBGM), 126 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:46 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

17 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
June 30, 12:47 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 2.81 mi N of Mt Pocono
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
41.170, -75.360

Tree down on Cottonwood Lane. Tree hit a vehicle and is blocking road. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
June 30, 12:47 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 3.7 mi E of Tobyhanna
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
41.190, -75.360

Trees and wires down on Jennifer Ln. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
June 30, 1:18 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.71 mi WNW of Stroudsburg
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
40.990, -75.230

Trees down on wires resulting in a fire along Stroud Court in Stroud Township. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
June 30, 1:18 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.71 mi WNW of Stroudsburg
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
40.990, -75.230

Trees down on wires resulting in a fire along Stroud Court in Stroud Township. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 30, 1:50 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, Jim Thorpe
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
State Official
Coordinates
40.870, -75.730

Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from Jim Thorpe. A few trees down in Jim Thorpe. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 30, 1:52 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, Ashfield
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
State Official
Coordinates
40.780, -75.720

Tree down in East Penn Township. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carbon

When
June 30, 2:06 PM EST
Where
Carbon County, 1.57 mi W of Lehigh Gap
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
40.800, -75.630

Tree in the roadway of the 300 block of Golf Road. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 30, 2:22 PM EST
Where
Berks County, Pricetown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
40.430, -75.820

Report of tree damage causing power outages. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Northampton

When
June 30, 2:30 PM EST
Where
Northampton County, 0.87 mi SE of Nazareth
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.740, -75.310

Large branches snapped and winds estimated around 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berks

When
June 30, 2:40 PM EST
Where
Berks County, 1.73 mi ENE of Maple Grove Park
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
40.230, -75.940

Report of tree damage on Hartz Store Road resulting in power outages. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When
June 30, 2:43 PM EST
Where
Chester County, 2.07 mi S of Warwick
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.140, -75.780

Large tree limb down on Marsh Rd. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When
June 30, 3:20 PM EST
Where
Chester County, 0.53 mi E of Phoenixville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
40.130, -75.510

Tree down on State Rd. Time estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
June 30, 3:38 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, 0.53 mi E of Pencoyd Station
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
40.020, -75.210

Fallen tree. Right lane blocked in Lower Merion on I-76 EB approaching City Ave/Exit 339. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When
June 30, 4:21 PM EST
Where
Chester County, 0.87 mi SW of Homeville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.860, -75.990

Fallen power cables in Upper Oxford on Rt-896 ] NB/SB near Homeville Rd. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When
June 30, 4:23 PM EST
Where
Chester County, West Chester
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.970, -75.620

Pictures/video sent in of small limbs to large trees down/uprooted along Monteray Lane in Chester County. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When
June 30, 4:31 PM EST
Where
Chester County, 0.87 mi SW of West Chester
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.960, -75.630

Large tree down picture from social media. Time estimated from radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When
June 30, 4:31 PM EST
Where
Chester County, 1.26 mi WSW of Chatwood
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.960, -75.600

Trees downed via social media. 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.

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: 1197452, 1197458, 1197469, 1197470, 1197456, 1197454, 1197465, 1197464, 1197457, 1197468, 1197460, 1197459, 1197471, 1197472, 1197473, 1197461, 1197462.