Another round of showers and thunderstorms rolled across Central Pennsylvania during the early to mid morning hours of May 23, 2024, producing sporadic wind damage. Then, that evening, an isolated thunderstorm formed over southern York County as a cold front slipped southward across the area.
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 CTP wrote it up.
Another round of showers and thunderstorms rolled across Central Pennsylvania during the early to mid morning hours of May 23, 2024, producing sporadic wind damage. Then, that evening, an isolated thunderstorm formed over southern York County as a cold front slipped southward across the area.
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 May 23, 1:00 AM EST, 1 hour 38 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 200 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024 .SYNOPSIS... *Showers & t-storms continue Thursday especially over south central PA; strong storm possible in the Lower Susq Valley *Rain chances trend lower into Friday before increasing over Memorial Day weekend && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 7 AM THIS MORNING/... T-storm intensity and coverage will diminish overnight as the best forcing/height falls lift to the north and low level stability increases with the loss of daytime heating. Will maintain lower POPs into Thursday morning associated with the arrival of a weakening cold front and a few rumbles of thunder are possible as elevated convection persists. Patchy fog may develop again toward daybreak in areas that receive rainfall, particularly if cloud breaks help promote more efficient radiational cooling. Lows in the 60s are rather mild for this time of year or +15-20 degrees above the historical climate average. && .SHORT TERM /7 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY/... More showers and t-storms are likely Thursday, primarily during the afternoon, as the cold front stalls out near the Mason Dixon Line and a shortwave rolls eastward from the Ohio Valley. The focus for convection Thursday will be over the southern part of the state. However, model RH profiles support a good deal of high level cloudiness extending into Northern PA, which should hold temps down. Expected high temps range from the mid 70s to low 80s, but remain above climo for this time of year. Rain chances trend lower from north to south into Friday as upper level ridging builds over the area. Max POPs 25-35% are over the southern tier of central PA near a stalled/pivoting quasistationary front and axis of highest PWATs. Friday looks like a pleasant day across most of the region with temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s and a good amount of sunshine. The front lifts back to the north as a warm front Friday night with showers likely by Saturday morning over the western Alleghenies. More widespread showers and storms will develop Saturday afternoon with daytime heating and some enhancement with a prefrontal trough. Saturday will not be a washout by any means, but those with outdoor plans should monitor the weather and head inside if you hear thunder. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Compared to Saturday, the chance for showers and thunderstorms on Sunday will be lower, owing to a weak surface high building across the Lower Grt Lks into PA. However, with a warm front approaching, we do carry slight chance to chance PoPs Sun afternoon, with PoPs increasing to likely Sunday night as the warm front crosses through the region. A deepening upper trough will then likely result in a period of unsettled weather continuing into Memorial Day and the first half of the upcoming week with mainly scattered, diurnally- driven convection expected. && .AVIATION /06Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Showers with some embedded thunderstorms continue across NW PA, impacting BFD for the next couple of hours. Some isolated showers across W PA is expected to stay well north of JST/AOO and have opted to keep VCSH out of these airfields for the 06Z TAF package. There is more uncertainty with regards to UNV in the 07-08Z timeframe as showers may clip the northern edge of the airfield if current trends continue but could see these showers taper off slightly as they approach the airfield with some drier air aloft. Any dips in vsbys/cigs with showers are expected to be at MVFR thresholds throughout the next 24 hours. Scattered showers and thunderstorms with associated reductions will redevelop starting later Thursday morning and persist through the day, although confidence of impacts at airfields remains low at this time. Have opted to show some potential for MVFR reductions at the western airfields where confidence is slightly higher near sunrise, but have kept these out of the eastern sites in this TAF package. Outlook... Fri-Mon...Mainly VFR, but chance of showers/AM patchy fog. && .CLIMATE... Daily record maximum temperatures for 5/22: Harrisburg 96/1941 Williamsport 95/1941 Altoona 88/2013 Bradford 84/2013 State College 89/1975 && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl NEAR TERM...Steinbugl/Banghoff SHORT TERM...Steinbugl/Banghoff LONG TERM...Fitzgerald/Colbert AVIATION...NPB CLIMATE...Steinbugl
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 803 PM EDT Wed May 22 2024 PAZ004>006-010>012-017>019-024>028-033>037-041-042-045-046-049>053- 056>058-063-240015- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield- Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin- Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming- Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Cumberland- 803 PM EDT Wed May 22 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ059-064>066-240015- Lebanon-Adams-York-Lancaster- 803 PM EDT Wed May 22 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible Thursday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1234 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
PAZ004-005-230530-
McKean PA-Warren PA-
1234 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WARREN AND WESTERN MCKEAN
COUNTIES THROUGH 130 AM EDT...
At 1233 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Jamestown to 14 miles west of Warren to 23
miles northwest of Marienville. Movement was east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Warren, Allegany State Park, Sheffield, Youngsville, Wetmore,
Russell, Spring Creek, Scandia, Lottsville, Ludlow, Marshburg,
Westline, Warren South, Garland, Kinzua Dam, Chapman State Park,
Sugar Grove, Starbrick, Clarendon, and Bear Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
&&
LAT...LON 4200 7869 4193 7869 4169 7874 4170 7946
4188 7956 4196 7954 4200 7949
TIME...MOT...LOC 0433Z 261DEG 38KT 4201 7937 4188 7941 4172 7943
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
LambertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
327 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
PAZ024-025-033-230830-
Somerset PA-Blair PA-Cambria PA-
327 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL SOMERSET...CENTRAL
BLAIR AND CAMBRIA COUNTIES THROUGH 430 AM EDT...
At 326 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Westmont, moving northeast at 45 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...
Altoona, Johnstown, Hollidaysburg, Westmont, Ebensburg, Belmont,
Nanty-Glo, Portage, Geistown, Southmont, Lakemont, Bellwood, Cresson,
Gallitzin, Vinco, Loretto, Williamsburg, Dale, Duncansville, and East
Conemaugh.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 4036 7900 4045 7894 4073 7844 4073 7838
4047 7814 4021 7898 4026 7908
TIME...MOT...LOC 0726Z 239DEG 40KT 4033 7896
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Lambert/BeatyThe State College radar (KCCX), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:36 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees across western Johnstown including some into residences. No injuries were reported.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph snapped and uprooted numerous trees in the Stone Valley Forest.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires at and near the intersection of Charter Oak Road and McAlveys Fort Road south of Pine Grove Mills.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a large tree across McAlveys Fort Road in Jackson Township.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires in and around Beavertown.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto wires at the intersection of State Route 405 and 14th Street near Kapp Heights and Northumberland.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple power poles onto and along US Route 11 west of Danville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph snapped multiple tree trunks on Summer Hill Road west of Route 183 near Summit Station.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees in between Timber Road and Forrest Drive near Mount Carbon, causing damage to 2 homes and a shed. No injuries were reported.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down tree and wires onto an occupied vehicle near the intersection of East Ore Street and Loucks Road in Springfield Township. No injuries were reported.
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, May 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: 1175882, 1175883, 1175884, 1175886, 1175887, 1175888, 1175889, 1175890, 1175881, 1175892.