A cold front approached from the west, triggering showers and scattered thunderstorms. A few strong to severe thunderstorms moved through eastern Pennsylvania, producing damaging wind gusts.
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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 PHI wrote it up.
A cold front approached from the west, triggering showers and scattered thunderstorms. A few strong to severe thunderstorms moved through eastern Pennsylvania, producing damaging wind gusts.
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 May 23, 6:08 AM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 708 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will approach the area today before crossing through the area this evening. The front will stall to our south on Friday before lifting back north on Saturday as a warm front. Another cold front moves through on Sunday, with a stronger system impacting the area on Monday into Tuesday. High pressure returns on Wednesday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... First round of storms are underway. Forecast remains on track this morning. Latest satellite and radar imagery shows a cluster of thunderstorms becoming more organized across southwest PA and shifting ENE towards central PA early this morning along and ahead of the advancing cold front across eastern OH and western PA. Hi res guidance depicts the cold front advancing across PA this morning and bringing this organized cluster of storms across the region after sunrise this morning. Ahead of the storms, forecast soundings show a modest increase in southwesterly mid level flow in the morning, allowing for a better LLJ to bring some elevated moisture and instability into the region. Around 1000 J/kg of MUCAPE and 30-40 kt of deep layer shear will develop this morning to fuel some stronger to marginally severe thunderstorms as this cluster arrives. Timing of these storms look to arrive in eastern PA by around 12Z(8AM) and push into NJ by 14-16Z (10AM-12PM) and mainly impact areas north and west of the I-95 corridor during this time. As the front arrives and bisects the region, it will become quasi- stationary near and just south of the I-95 corridor and gradually sag southward through the afternoon and evening. At this time, another mid level shortwave shifts overhead to provide some additional baroclinic forcing along this front. Some high res guidance depicts a second round of scattered showers and thunderstorms developing and riding along the frontal boundary, Depending on how worked over the environment will be after the morning cluster of storms and where any residual outflow boundaries set up, we could see some strong to marginally severe thunderstorms across the Delmarva and southern NJ with this second round. Locally damaging winds will be the main hazard throughout the day, especially where storms are able to become more organized such as in a cluster or a line segment. Any showers and thunderstorms are expected to be weakening and/or moving offshore Thursday night as the cold front shifts to our east, though portions of southern NJ and the Delmarva could see scattered showers linger through daybreak early Thursday morning. Further north and west, drier air will gradually filter in throughout the overnight period. Patchy fog cannot be ruled out, especially where rain occurs and if the cloud cover clears enough. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... Friday continues to look like a pleasant day with warming temperatures into the mid 80s with 70s along the shore due to the sea breeze. A cold front will move offshore and stall south of the area on Friday. A few residual showers may linger along the shore in the morning but for the most part all precipitation should be over. Skies will clear behind the front as dewpoints fall back into the 50s. The pleasant and quiet weather will continue into Friday night with clear skies and light winds. We should be able to radiate pretty well initially leading to some patchy fog development over DelMarVa where the heaviest rain is forecast to fall on Thursday. Clouds will increase from south to north later in the night which should limit the amount of cooling late, and thus the expansion of fog across the northern portions of the forecast area. For Saturday, the stalled boundary to our south will begin to lift back northward across the area as a warm front with the main low pressure system tracking across the Great Lakes. Early morning on Saturday likely stays dry however, as we progress through the afternoon, the chance for showers and thunderstorms increase from west to east. For locations along the shore, precip may hold off entirely until Saturday evening, although it will be pretty cloudy most of the day. This system will be a rather quick mover so while Saturday night does appear to be wet, all precipitation should come to an end by early Sunday. Aided by warm air advection, highs on Saturday should reach again into the low to mid 80s despite cloud cover with cooler temps along the coast. Saturday night lows will be in the mid 50s to low 60s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... After precip wanes on Sunday morning, a weak cold front will pass through the area, however the front will be slowing down and stalling either over or again just south of the area. Sunday for now does appear to be mostly dry behind the front with partial sunshine. Beyond Sunday, the weather pattern becomes unsettled as a stronger low pressure system develops back over the central CONUS. Strong PVA will move over the region Monday with stronger cold front crossing the area Monday night into Tuesday. This will lead to widespread shower activity across the region. WPC has included a Slight risk for Excessive Rainfall, and CIPS analog guidance is highlighting the potential for severe weather with between a 15-30% chance of severe weather across PA and 10-15% chance for DelMarVA and NJ. Will continue to monitor and focus attention on this time period of Monday afternoon through Tuesday. After the cold front passes, unsettled weather continues to be the theme thanks to several waves/impulses aloft passing through the week. Temps for the workweek should be fairly seasonable with highs in the low to mid 80s Sunday followed more seasonable 70s through the week. Lows should be falling into the 60s each night. && .AVIATION /11Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas... Today...Showers and thunderstorms around resulting in a time of sub-VFR conditions. First round of storms in the morning hours will impact terminals along the I-95 corridor and points north and west. Second round of storms in the afternoon and evening will likely impact KMIV/KACY more. Southwest winds 5-10 knots, becoming west to west-northwest behind the cold front. Gusty winds possible with stronger thunderstorms. Low confidence in timing and coverage of showers/storms. Tonight...Lingering scattered showers and thunderstorms could result in brief sub-VFR conditions early in the evening, mainly for KMIV/KACY, but coverage should diminish later into the nighttime hours. VFR conditions should largely return overnight, though KACY looks to see lower visibilities and cigs as showers will linger around here a bit longer. That said, some patchy fog cannot be ruled out, especially across locations that see rainfall earlier in the day. Low confidence. Outlook... Friday through Friday night...VFR. Slight chance of a shower. Saturday through Saturday night...VFR during the day, likely becoming sub-VFR at night. Showers and thunderstorms late in the day into the evening. Sunday...VFR. No significant weather expected. Sunday night through Memorial Day...Sub-VFR conditions probable with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. && .MARINE... The conditions are expected to remain below Small Craft Advisory criteria through Thursday night, however a few gusty thunderstorms will be possible especially Thursday afternoon and evening. Outlook... Friday through Monday...No marine headlines expected. Winds will periodically gust up to 15-20 kt with seas around 2-4 feet. A chance for showers and thunderstorms is expected on Saturday night and for Sunday night into Monday. Rip Currents... S to SW winds will average 5 to 10 mph on Thursday along with breaking waves around 2 feet. There is a LOW risk for the development of dangerous and life threatening rip currents at NJ and DE beaches for Thursday. However, showers and thunderstorms are likely, and may be capable of strong wind gusts and hail. On Friday, winds will once again be out of the S to SW at 5 to 10 mph with breaking waves of 1 to 2 feet. There is a LOW risk for the development of dangerous and life threatening rip currents at NJ and DE beaches for Friday. Although there is a slight chance for showers, thunderstorms are not expected. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... Astronomical tides will be elevated this week with a Full Moon on Thursday, May 23. Spotty minor coastal flooding will be possible, especially for the back bays, around the times of the evening high tide cycle, which will be the higher of the two tide cycles, going into the end of this week. && .PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. NJ...None. DE...None. MD...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...Deal/DeSilva NEAR TERM...MJL SHORT TERM...Deal/DeSilva LONG TERM...Deal/DeSilva AVIATION...Deal/DeSilva/MJL MARINE...Deal/DeSilva/MJL TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
742 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0705 AM Tstm Wnd Gst Upper Freehold Twp 40.12N 74.53W
05/23/2024 M59 MPH Monmouth NJ Mesonet
Mesonet station NJ54 Cream Ridge.
&&
GorsePreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
746 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Hail Hardyston Twp 41.11N 74.54W
05/23/2024 M0.70 Inch Sussex NJ Trained Spotter
Dime size hail.
&&
GorsePreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
800 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0658 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Hamburg 41.16N 74.57W
05/23/2024 Sussex NJ Trained Spotter
Trees down around the Crystal Springs Resort
in Hamburg. Time estimated from radar.
0702 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Vernon 41.20N 74.48W
05/23/2024 Sussex NJ Trained Spotter
Some trees down in parts of Vernon Township.
Time estimated from radar.
&&
GorsePreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
812 AM EDT Thu May 23 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0657 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Hamburg 41.16N 74.57W
05/23/2024 Sussex NJ Public
Power poles and trees down in Hamburg along
Route 94. Probable microburst. Time
estimated from radar.
&&
GorseThe Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:16 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Large tree snapped and fell onto power lines. Time estimated from radar.
Fire department dispatched to Walbert Avenue and Columbia Street for trees and wires down. Time estimated from radar.
Several large trees snapped at the base in the Childrens Health Care parking lot on Pond Road in Allentown. Three cars trapped under one of the downed trees. No injuries reported. Time estimated from radar.
Some trees down on Magellan Drive in Walnutport. Time estimated from radar.
Report from mPING: 1-inch tree limbs broken. Time estimated from radar.
Downed trees and power lines along Stefko Boulevard in Bethlehem. Time estimated from radar.
Multiple trees and large tree limbs down along Wagner Drive in Bethlehem Township. Time estimated from radar.
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: 1184054, 1184055, 1184056, 1184057, 1184058, 1184059, 1184060.