Strong wind gusts (45-55 mph) following a cold frontal passage on March 10, 2024 produced isolated reports of trees down across central Pennsylvania, including a tree that fell onto a home in Cumberland County and caused a fatality.
Every event with a place to put it; 5 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 (45-55 mph) following a cold frontal passage on March 10, 2024 produced isolated reports of trees down across central Pennsylvania, including a tree that fell onto a home in Cumberland County and caused a fatality.
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 Mar 10, 11:17 AM EST, 2 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 1217 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 .SYNOPSIS... An upper level low will pivot across the region today. The low will lift out tonight, then upper level ridging will likely build over Pennsylvania for much of the remainder of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... All is tracking very well. Multiple SQWs thus far, but no high- end/WEA-activations thus far due to warm ground/road temps. Trying to tweak the hourly PoPs and sky cover to make it catch the larger/more- defined bands/squalls over the next couple of hours. Main point is that the temps and road temps are acting very similar to what prevs thinking was. Many locations SE of the Allegheny Front are having very little impact when the SNSQs pass over. The temps are much higher over the SE where the sun has been more visible, and even spots in between SHSN/SQs have road temp climb very nicely between the periods of snow. The wind has been strongest over the SE, too, probably because of the great mixing and downslope. Prev... Water vapor loop at 0930Z shows a deepening upstream trough transitioning to a cut off upper low over Southeast Michigan. This feature will pivot across PA later today, resulting in a chilly and blustery Sunday across the entire forecast area. A cold west-northwest flow crossing the Grt Lks will result in a decent lake-enhanced, upslope snow event for the NW Mtns and Laurel Highlands today into this evening. Steep lower tropospheric lapse rates and some minimal surface-based cape indicate locally heavy squalls are likely. A downsloping flow will result in less numerous and lighter snow showers east of the mountains. However, large scale forcing ahead of the upper low should allow scattered snow squalls/rain showers to survive even into the Lower Susq Valley. The threat of a flash freeze appears low over the Susq Valley, where model wet bulb temps are only around 32F and road temps should lag by a few degrees. However, can't rule out a flash freeze with any squalls over the Alleghenies. Latest model guidance continues to support a few inches of snow accumulation by this evening over the Allegheny Plateau, with the greatest amounts over the snowbelt of NW Warren County and the highest ridgetops of the Laurels. Departure of the upper low and lowering inversion heights should cause lingering snow showers over the Alleghenies to gradually diminish tonight. Model qpf continues to support snow totals late Sunday night ranging from around 6 inches over the snowbelt of NW Warren County and the higher ridges of the Laurels, to nothing more than a coating east of the Alleghenies. A strong pressure gradient west of deepening low pressure over New England, combined with steep lapse rates that enhance boundary layer mixing, will result in increasingly gusty west-northwest winds today. Bukfit soundings support gusts to around 40kts by this afternoon over the southwest part of the forecast area. The gusty winds will likely result in areas of blowing/drifting snow over the higher terrain of the Alleghenies this afternoon and evening. Large scale subsidence and a tight pressure gradient should continue to result in gusty winds tonight, with model soundings continuing to supports gusts to around 40kts. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Lake effect stratocu may linger into Monday morning over parts of the NW Mtn. Otherwise, model RH profiles indicate mainly sunny skies, as the upper trough lifts out and the upstream air mass becomes too mild to support lake effect. Mixing down 850mb temps of around -5C yields expected highs Monday afternoon ranging from the low 40s over the N Mtns, to around 50F across the Susq Valley. After a slight decrease in winds early Monday, a deepening mixed layer should result in gusts around 40kts in the afternoon. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... All medium range guidance points to generally fair and warm weather through the middle of next week associated with upper level ridging building in from the Grt Lks and a surface high parked off of the southeast coast. Ensemble mean 850mb temps rise to around 5C by Wed and Thu, which support max temps in the mid to upper 60s over most of Central PA. A dying cold front is progged to work into the region late Wednesday. Weak forcing with this feature supports low POPs for showers Wed PM-Thu PM, mainly across the N Mtns. A better chance of more meaningful precipitation arrives late in the week associated with low pressure lifting out of the Miss Valley. A period of rain appears likely Friday-Friday PM, as the low tracks over or just north of the state. Latest ensemble plumes indicate most likely rainfall ranging from around 0.5 inches over the NW Mtns, to around 0.2 inches over the southeast counties. Ensembles show upper level troughing developing over the area towards the end of the period which will allow for cooler temperatures and at least scattered showers. && .AVIATION /16Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Timing the individual SHSN/SQs is far too difficult. Fast-moving and transient bands/cells of SN NW and RA/SN SE (of AOO-UNV-IPT) ongoing and should continue for the next few/daylight hours. Then the next 12 hrs (22-09Z) will be mostly long lake-effect streamers for BFD/FIG, and a persistent upslope snow/IFC in JST. Trying at this point to keep the visbys and cigs on the low- end of potential conditions (forecast worse than conditions) in order to heighten awareness of the worst conditions. Prev... MVFR to LIFR conditions continue across the region as rain showers continue to slide northeast. The heaviest rain has ended for all TAF sites. Snow showers are expected to develop first across BFD/JST in the 06-09Z Saturday timeframe. Some heavier snow bands/squalls have potential to impact BFD/JST and move east towards central TAF sites this afternoon (AOO/UNV/IPT), but confidence is too low at this time to drop vsbys/cigs to 1/4SM +SHSN, thus have left mention to this discussion. Winds will begin to shift to 270-310 Saturday morning, with sustained winds 15-25 knots with gusts up to 30-45 knots. Expect gusts to continue and strengthen into Monday. Outlook... Mon...Still breezy with NW wind 15-25KT G35-45KT. Clearing skies, becmg VFR. Tues...Lighter NW wind with gusts 15-25KT. VFR. Wed...No sig wx. Thurs...No sig wx AM, SHRA moving in from the west late PM. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 8 AM EDT Monday for PAZ004. Winter Weather Advisory until 8 AM EDT Monday for PAZ005-010. Wind Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 8 PM EDT Monday for PAZ006-011-012-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-057>059-066. Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for PAZ017>019-024>028- 033>036-056-063>065. Winter Weather Advisory until 2 AM EDT Monday for PAZ017-024- 033. && SYNOPSIS...Fitzgerald/Dangelo NEAR TERM...Fitzgerald/Dangelo SHORT TERM...Fitzgerald/Dangelo LONG TERM...Fitzgerald/Bauco AVIATION...Dangelo/Colbert
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 435 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 PAZ006-011-012-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-057>059-066-110845- Potter-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Lancaster- 435 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM EDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today 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...Monday through Saturday. 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... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ018-019-025>028-034>036-056-063>065-110845- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata- Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Perry-Cumberland-Adams-York- 435 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today 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...Monday through Saturday. 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... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ017-024-033-110845- Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset- 435 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT MONDAY... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today 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. Winter Weather Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. 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... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ004-110845- Warren- 435 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ005-010-110845- McKean-Elk- 435 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1028 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
PAZ012-041-045-046-101530-
Southern Lycoming PA-Southern Clinton PA-Northern Clinton PA-
Northern Lycoming PA-
1028 AM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
...A SNOW SQUALL WILL AFFECT PARTS OF SOUTHERN LYCOMING...SOUTHERN
CLINTON...NORTHERN CLINTON...AND NORTHERN LYCOMING COUNTIES...
HAZARDS...A snow squall accompanied by winds of up to 30 MPH which
can rapidly reduce visibility to less than one mile.
LOCATION AND MOVEMENT...At 1027 AM EDT, a snow squall was over Jersey
Shore moving east at 30 MPH.
This includes Route 220 from west of Avis to east of Jersey Shore.
SAFETY INFO...
Use extra caution if you must travel into or through this squall.
Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to
accidents.
Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be
prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra
time to reach your destination.
&&
LAT...LON 4119 7750 4135 7732 4132 7716 4122 7711
4108 7718
TIME...MOT...LOC 1427Z 288DEG 24KT 4123 7734
DangeloSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
205 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
PAZ024>026-101830-
Blair PA-Cambria PA-Huntingdon PA-
205 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
...A SNOW SQUALL WILL AFFECT PARTS OF BLAIR...CAMBRIA...AND
HUNTINGDON COUNTIES...
HAZARDS...A snow squall accompanied by winds of up to 30 MPH which
can rapidly reduce visibility to less than a quarter of a mile.
LOCATION AND MOVEMENT...At 204 PM EDT, a snow squall was along a line
extending from near Huntingdon to 10 miles east of Altoona to
Hollidaysburg and moving east at 45 MPH.
THIS SQUALL WILL BE NEAR...
Huntingdon, Altoona, and Hollidaysburg around 210 PM EDT.
This includes Interstate 99 from mile markers 26 to 34.
SAFETY INFO...
Use extra caution if you must travel into or through this squall.
Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to
accidents.
&&
LAT...LON 4054 7788 4036 7794 4034 7800 4038 7831
4047 7876 4052 7878 4054 7852 4051 7836
4060 7826 4059 7813 4060 7798
TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 288DEG 38KT 4057 7800 4047 7820 4041 7838 4044
7853
GusemanSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
207 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
PAZ026-036-056-057-063-065-101830-
Perry PA-York PA-Franklin PA-Cumberland PA-Huntingdon PA-Dauphin PA-
207 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
...A SNOW SQUALL WILL AFFECT PARTS OF PERRY...YORK...FRANKLIN...
CUMBERLAND...HUNTINGDON...AND DAUPHIN COUNTIES...
HAZARDS...A snow squall accompanied by winds of up to 30 MPH which
can rapidly reduce visibility to less than one mile.
LOCATION AND MOVEMENT...At 207 PM EDT, a snow squall was along a line
extending from near Enola to near Carlisle to 19 miles northwest of
Chambersburg and moving southeast at 30 MPH.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
Harrisburg, Carlisle, Lower Allen, Progress, Mechanicsburg, Camp
Hill, New Cumberland, Enola, Steelton, Shippensburg, Lemoyne,
Plainfield, Schlusser, Boiling Springs, Wormleysburg,
Bressler-Enhaut-Oberlin, Penbrook, Dillsburg, Marysville, and Mount
Holly Springs.
This includes the following Interstates...
The Pennsylvania Turnpike from mile markers 186 to 246.
Interstate 81 from mile markers 27 to 68.
Interstate 83 from mile markers 37 to 45.
SAFETY INFO...
Use extra caution if you must travel into or through this squall.
Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to
accidents.
Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be
prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra
time to reach your destination.
&&
LAT...LON 4019 7794 4022 7753 4037 7717 4049 7703
4035 7687 4020 7680 4006 7712 4007 7714
4004 7718 4003 7781
TIME...MOT...LOC 1807Z 299DEG 27KT 4032 7704 4014 7737 4014 7791
BaucoSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
222 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
PAZ017-101900-
Clearfield PA-
222 PM EDT Sun Mar 10 2024
...A SNOW SQUALL WILL AFFECT PARTS OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY...
HAZARDS...A snow squall accompanied by winds of up to 30 MPH which
can rapidly reduce visibility to less than a quarter of a mile.
LOCATION AND MOVEMENT...At 221 PM EDT, a snow squall was along a line
extending from near Clearfield to near DuBois to 14 miles southeast
of Rimersburg and moving east at 45 MPH.
THIS SQUALL WILL BE NEAR...
Clearfield, Hyde, and Plymptonville around 225 PM EDT.
Woodland around 230 PM EDT.
Jeffries around 240 PM EDT.
For those driving on Interstate 80, this includes areas between the
Dubois and Kylertown exits, specifically from mile markers 97 to 127.
SAFETY INFO...
Use extra caution if you must travel into or through this squall.
Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to
accidents.
&&
LAT...LON 4081 7880 4114 7880 4116 7879 4115 7859
4102 7825 4078 7835 4077 7880 4080 7881
TIME...MOT...LOC 1821Z 282DEG 40KT 4108 7850 4099 7876 4093 7927
GusemanThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong winds estimated near 50 mph knocked own a tree and two utility poles near North Oak Lane 1 mile north-northeast of Park Forest.
Strong winds estimated near 50 mph knocked a tree down across power lines in Pleasant Gap.
Strong winds estimated near 50 mph knocked down a tree into powerlines along US Route 322 near Wallaceton.
Strong winds knocked a tree down onto a house on the 800 block of Baltimore Pike (Route 94) in South Middleton Township, causing significant damage to the home along with one fataility inside the home.
Strong winds estimated near 50 mph knocked down trees and wires onto Route 441 between Falmouth Road and Turnpike Road in Conoy Township, closing Route 441 for several hours for clean up.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind, Cumberland | 2024-03-11 | 43 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
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, March 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: 1158343, 1158344, 1158342, 1155783, 1155782.