Tornadoes and Hail in Pennsylvania, March 16, 2025

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Pennsylvania, March 16, 2025
Start: 2025-03-16T12:26
End: 2025-03-16T20:54
Location: Pennsylvania

March 16, 2025 · NWS CTP · 50 events in 14 counties and zones

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: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.4 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 50

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 CTP wrote it up.

A cold front west of central Pennsylvania slowly began to drift eastward during the morning hours and throughout the day on March 16, 2025 allowing ample lift in an environment with sufficient shear and instability to form a quasi-linear convective system across western Pennsylvania. This QLCS continued moving into a more favorable environment across central Pennsylvania, with increased instability from a dry slot coupled with a favorable entrance region of an upper-level jet maximum to produce enhanced shear. This allowed for the QLCS to strengthen across central Pennsylvania and caused extensive damage across west-central Pennsylvania with ample low-level shear spawning two tornadoes in Clinton and Elk counties. Farther east, a less favorable environment was in place with more stable air and lower shear; however, the forward momentum of the QLCS allowed for further damage across northeastern Pennsylvania. Later in the evening, thunderstorms began to form south of central Pennsylvania and gradually drifted northeastward with upper-level support. Strong-to-severe thunderstorms were present along the Mason-Dixon line with a severe thunderstorm producing quarter and ping pong-sized hail in York County.

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 State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 16, 11:29 AM EST, 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 16, 11:29 AM EST, 57 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
1229 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
* A strong cold front will push across Central PA this
  afternoon, producing a soaking rain and some stronger to
  severe thunderstorms, especially across the Western third of
  PA.
* One cooler day on Monday will be followed by a warm up as
  ridging moves in from the west and settles overhead for mid-
  week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 7 PM THIS EVENING/...
Convective and shear parameter will begin phasing across our
Western zones between 17-18Z as a pronounced dry slots spreads
NNE across that area and a potent sfc cold front (now over
Central Ohio) pushes east.

After our waves of stratiform rain (briefly moderate to heavy
in intensity) shift east of the Susq Valley during the early to
mid afternoon hours, 1-2 lines of strong to severe tsra are
expected to progress east across the CWA. The best, enhanced
mesoscale forcing beneath the entrance region of a potent, nwd
moving upper level jetlet should be focused across the western
third to half of our CWA (within SPC's DY 1 Enhanced Convective
Risk area).

00Z and 12Z HREF are consistent in indicating that the best
instability/convective cluster/s will move across the Laurels
and SCent Mtns during the early to mid afternoon hours along a
developing prefrontal trough, with a secondary narrow line of
strong to severe TSRA a bit further west along the Cfront.

0-1KM SREH will max out around 400 m2/s2 along the prefrontal
trough (and its intersection with the cooler/OVC skies to the
east with LLVL Serly flow). The best combination of llvl
shear/instability will potentially be over the Scent Mtns near
the I-81 corridor between 18-19Z before slowly weakening further
east.

Vsbys have dramatically improved (to above 3SM) across the
areas previously covered by a dense fog advisory across the
Ncent Mtns and Western Poconos as T/Td spreads have grown to
several deg F or more.

Prev...
Wind is currently gusting into the l-m30s in places despite the
seemingly stable layer hosting the stratus/low topped convection
racing north.

The wind fields in model soundings are eye-poppingly high with
a big curved hodograph. The first worry is for the gradient wind
mixing down through the thin/shallow stable layer in place.
Probabilities of 45+MPH gusts are 90+% in the N and SE through
the day (mainly morning N and mainly late AM til late aftn SE).
Thinking right now is that it will won't take much mixing,
either through terrain interaction/enhancement, or even the
shallowest of convection. Going to post a wind advy for the nrn
tier, but on the fence for the Laurels and SErn few zones. These
areas are also most likely to get some clearing and deeper
mixing, even before any SHRA/TSRA move in.

Speaking of SHRA/TSRA...there are SHRA not too far to the W and
should make some light rain over the wrn Cos shortly, certainly
before sunrise. After a wave aloft rolls through early this
morning, there should be a short lull, but very short as the
extremely strong winds from 5kft up will be whipping things
along. Any openings in the clouds could destabilize the llvls.
Lapse rates aloft should allow for thunder chc across most of
the area today. But, it is the severe threat that has just been
increased in the latest SPC Day1 severe weather outlook which is
most concerning. The strong wind fields and possibility of even
mixing into the 3-5kft range should allow shear/SRH & EHIs to
become realized. MU CAPE on the HREF guidance pokes some
500-1000J/kg numbers into the srn tier in the aftn. The outlook
now has the wrn half or so in a SLGT risk with a 5% Tor risk -
which is higher than we see here in PA on about 360 days/year.
BUT...It will be the ability to scour out or poke down through
the stable layer that will determine the realization of this
threat. We will certainly increase our messaging on the severe
threats. Thinking locally is that there also may be an equal
tor risk all across our srn tier than what is presented in the
SPC guidance early this morning. Timing for strongest convection
is better in the E than W. Will continue with only mentions of
TS (30pct) for most of the CWA as the potentially stubborn low
clouds and llvl stability could squelch TS. But, the instability
aloft is there, and it seems like a good idea to mention it all
over, esp in light of the SPC outlook of SVR.

Heavy rainfall continues to be a small but non-zero concern,
especially in places where the lowest FFG and orographic lift
are juxtaposed. This is mainly over the NE third of the CWA.
But, minor/urban and small stream flooding are still a concern
in the rest of the CWA due to the (much) higher than normal
PWATs and the possibility of training or at least repeated shots
of rain.

&&

.SHORT TERM /7 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 PM MONDAY/...
SHRA/TSRA along the front will drag their feet over the SE
(what's new there?) this evening and early tonight. This
certainly seems to increase the risk of flooding there where
training could push streams out of their banks. The west will
experience some strong CAA tonight with 8h temps falling from
+11C Sun morning down to -6 t0 -10C by sunrise Monday. This
change will be quite shocking, and the SHRA lingering in the
wrap around over the NW and SW will probably turn to SHSN. The
moisture there dries up before noon Mon. So, no worries for
anything more than a tiny bit of slush building up. But, the
very warm/rainy wx early tonight and the sharp drop in temps
could allow road temps to drop far enough to make a bridge deck
or two icy over the NW where they will be the only place to dip
below freezing. Mins tonight will be in the u20s in Warren, but
around 50F in Lancaster. As sunshine increases on Monday, some
4-6F temp increase is forecast for the aftn. But, temps may hold
steady or even fall a little bit at first, esp in the SE half of
the CWA.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
System lifting east of the area Monday will give the area
a dry day on Tuesday. Another deep low moving northeast from
the Rockies will bring another warm up by mid week.

This system will bring some showers and perhaps a storm to
the region by Thursday. Moisture more limited with this
system, thus widespread heavy rain and strong storms not as
likely as our current system today.

After this low moves northeast of our area, models show the
large scale ridge forming back over the western states late
in the week. This would support a return to cold weather as
we head into Spring.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Low CIGS will persist through much of the day, though there
could be some breaks in the clouds across the area in the
afternoon. MVFR ceilings are expected across much of the region,
with IFR expected at MDT and LNS into the morning. Wind gusts
will also continue to increase through the morning with much of
the area likely seeing gusts of 30 to 40 knots by the afternoon.

LLWS will prevail across the airspace into the afternoon with a
50 to 60+ knot low-level jet traversing the region. As surface
wind gusts increase during the morning the LLWS threat will be
somewhat mitigated, but if gusts do not get as high as
anticipated we may have to extend the mentions of shear in the
TAFs.

Showers will continue to push eastward through the rest of the
morning. These initial showers should be fairly light.
Attention then turns to a line of thunderstorms that is expected
to move through during the afternoon and early evening ahead of
a cold front. The line of storms will approach BFD and JST
around 16-17Z and will quickly progress eastward, reaching the
eastern airfields by 21Z. Models have been trending towards a
more unstable environment ahead of these storms, and the
stronger storms will be capable of producing wind gusts greater
than 50 knots and perhaps even an isolated tornado.

Behind these storms, all areas except MDT and LNS are expected
to experience a period of VFR conditions. As winds turn to the
west behind the cold front, MVFR ceilings will redevelop at BFD
and JST.

Outlook...

Mon...Windy and colder with clearing skies.

Tue...VFR with lighter winds.

Wed...VFR.

Thu...Showers overspreading the area from west to east.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 3 PM EDT this afternoon for PAZ004>006-024-
033-037-041-042.
Wind Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for PAZ057-059-065-
066.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Lambert/Dangelo
NEAR TERM...Lambert/Dangelo
SHORT TERM...Dangelo
LONG TERM...Martin
AVIATION...Bauco

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 16, 8:45 AM EST, 3 hours 41 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

PAZ004-005-171345-
Warren-McKean-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 3 PM
EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

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.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. Some of these thunderstorms have
a high likelihood of producing damaging wind gusts. A few isolated
tornadoes are also possible. Localized minor flooding issues may
arise as rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ010-011-017-025-034-171345-
Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Blair-Bedford-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. Some of these thunderstorms have
a high likelihood of producing damaging wind gusts. A few isolated
tornadoes are also possible. Localized minor flooding issues may
arise as rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ024-033-171345-
Cambria-Somerset-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 3 PM
EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

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.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. Some of these thunderstorms have
a high likelihood of producing damaging wind gusts. A few isolated
tornadoes are also possible. Localized minor flooding issues may
arise as rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ006-042-171345-
Potter-Sullivan-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 3 PM
EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

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.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts. A few minor flooding issues may arise as
rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ037-041-171345-
Tioga-Northern Lycoming-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 3 PM
EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

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.

   Dense Fog Advisory.
   Wind Advisory.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts. A few minor flooding issues may arise as
rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ012-018-019-026>028-035-036-045-046-049>052-056-063-064-171345-
Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Huntingdon-Mifflin-
Juniata-Fulton-Franklin-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-
Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Perry-Cumberland-Adams-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts and an isolated tornado. Winds away from any
thunderstorms may also gust up to 40 MPH, especially on the higher
terrain. A few minor flooding issues may arise as rainfall of an
inch
or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ057-171345-
Dauphin-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM
EDT THIS EVENING...

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.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts. Minor flooding issues may arise as rainfall of
an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ059-065-066-171345-
Lebanon-York-Lancaster-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM
EDT THIS EVENING...

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.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts. Minor flooding issues may arise as rainfall of
an inch or more may occur in just a few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ053-171345-
Columbia-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts. Winds away from any thunderstorms may also gust
up to 40 MPH, especially on the higher terrain. Minor flooding
issues may arise as rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a
few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

PAZ058-171345-
Schuylkill-
945 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

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.

   Dense Fog Advisory.

Widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected as a
strong cold front moves through. A few of these storms could produce
damaging wind gusts. Winds away from any thunderstorms may also gust
up to 40 MPH, especially on the higher terrain. Minor flooding
issues may arise as rainfall of an inch or more may occur in just a
few hours.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 16, 12:13 PM EST, 13 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
113 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

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

1222 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Huntingdon          40.50N 77.97W
03/16/2025                   Huntingdon         PA   911 Call Center

            Tree down blocking 1 lane.

&&

DeVoir

Local storm report, Mar 16, 12:14 PM EST, 12 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
114 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

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

1253 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Roaring Spring          40.33N 78.40W
03/16/2025                   Blair              PA   911 Call Center

            Power lines down.

&&

DeVoir

Local storm report, Mar 16, 12:16 PM EST, 10 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service State College PA
116 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025

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

0106 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Alexandria              40.56N 78.10W
03/16/2025                   Huntingdon         PA   911 Call Center

            Power pole damage and low hanging wires.

&&

DeVoir

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 107 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:23 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

42 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Somerset

When: March 16, 12:26 PM EST
Where: Somerset County, 0.87 mi SE of New Lexington
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.920, -79.240

A strong thunderstorm produced dime sized hail near New Centerville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Somerset

When: March 16, 12:27 PM EST
Where: Somerset County, 1.48 mi SSW of New Centerville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.910, -79.210

A severe thunderstorm producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph produced widespread damage to trees and powerlines near Rockwood and New Centerville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Somerset

When: March 16, 12:35 PM EST
Where: Somerset County, 1.37 mi W of Beachdale
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 39.901, -79.046

A line of severe thunderstorms moving through Somerset County produced a wind gust of 65 mph at the RWIS station on US-219 at Garrett Bypass.

Thunderstorm Wind, Somerset

When: March 16, 12:47 PM EST
Where: Somerset County, 0.15 mi NW of Stoystown
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.101, -78.952

A line of severe thunderstorms moving through Somerset County producing wind gusts estimated at 70 mph caused widespread damage to trees and powerlines throughout the town of Stoystown. Emergency management reported that there was at least one tree that fell onto a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cambria

When: March 16, 12:55 PM EST
Where: Cambria County, 0.53 mi SSW of Nanty Glo
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.472, -78.832

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 70 mph damaged a roof to a retirement home on Chestnut Road in Nanty-Glo.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cambria

When: March 16, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Cambria County, (Jst)johnstown Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.320, -78.830

The ASOS at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport recorded a wind gust of 63 mph as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearfield

When: March 16, 1:08 PM EST
Where: Clearfield County, 0.46 mi WNW of Oklahoma
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.121, -78.759

A line of severe thunderstorms producing estimated wind gusts of 60 mph knocked down trees and power lines in DuBois.

Hail, Elk

When: March 16, 1:10 PM EST
Where: Elk County, Brockport
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.250, -78.730

A severe thunderstorm produced quarter-sized hail near Brockport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Elk

When: March 16, 1:15 PM EST
Where: Elk County, 1.6 mi WSW of Dagus Mines
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.360, -78.648

A severe thunderstorm producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph snapped a large pine tree 6 miles southeast of Ridgway. Quarter-sized hail was also reported in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearfield

When: March 16, 1:18 PM EST to 1:19 PM EST
Where: Clearfield County, 1.32 mi WSW of Oshanter to 1.19 mi WSW of Oshanter
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.924, -78.494

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed that a downburst occurred along Haag Hill Road northeast of Olanta in Clearfield County during the afternoon of March 16, 2025. Within this swath, approximately 25-30 trees were either snapped or uprooted in this south-to-north oriented ravine. The trees that fell on the west slope of the ravine were generally oriented towards the north, while trees that fell on the east slope of the ravine were predominantly oriented to the northeast. There were no man-made structures in the path of this downburst, with a residence just east of the ravine appearing to have no damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bedford

When: March 16, 1:20 PM EST
Where: Bedford County, 0.69 mi N of Bedford Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.010, -78.500

A severe thunderstorm producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph knocked multiple trees down in Bedford.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blair

When: March 16, 1:20 PM EST
Where: Blair County, 1.72 mi ENE of Mill Run
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.510, -78.400

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph knocked a tree down onto Pleasant Valley Boulevard. Additional trees were knocked down onto roadways throughout the city of Altoona.

Thunderstorm Wind, Elk

When: March 16, 1:22 PM EST
Where: Elk County, 0.52 mi W of Kaulmont
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.430, -78.560

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and powerlines in Saint Marys.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blair

When: March 16, 1:22 PM EST to 1:25 PM EST
Where: Blair County, 0.91 mi N of Geeseytown to 1.48 mi N of Canoe Creek
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $80,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.463, -78.350

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed a downburst in Scotch Valley on March 16, 2025 as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through. Maximum winds were estimated at 100 mph with damage occurring along a 4.5 mile long path. Dozens of trees were uprooted or snapped along Scotch Valley Road and porch roofs were blown off. Significant structural damage to a barn was also reported. The damage path widened to around 1.6 miles as it neared the end of the track.

Tornado, Elk

When: March 16, 1:22 PM EST to 1:23 PM EST
Where: Elk County, 1.58 mi NW of Rathbun to 1.89 mi NW of Rathbun
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.51 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $350,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.493, -78.475

An EF1 tornado occurred along North Fork Road in Elk County during the afternoon hours of March 16, 2025 with maximum estimated winds at 100 mph. The tornado was on the ground for less than one minute, but downed, snapped, and uprooted hundreds of trees and power lines. A local resident indicated that a window was blown in at their residence along with a barn roof being partially lifted due to the tornado. The damage was concentrated within a swath about 200 yards wide.

Thunderstorm Wind, Elk

When: March 16, 1:25 PM EST
Where: Elk County, Weedville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.280, -78.500

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph knocked multiple trees down approximately 2 miles north of Force.

Hail, Blair

When: March 16, 1:34 PM EST
Where: Blair County, Altoona Peterson Arp
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.630, -78.300

A strong thunderstorm produced dime-sized hail in Tipton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blair

When: March 16, 1:34 PM EST
Where: Blair County, 1.47 mi WSW of Martinsburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.311, -78.356

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees into wires along Fredrick Road near Martinsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blair

When: March 16, 1:35 PM EST
Where: Blair County, 1.05 mi E of Bellwood
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.600, -78.310

The RWIS station on Interstate 99 at Bellwood measured a 59 mph gust as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearfield

When: March 16, 1:35 PM EST
Where: Clearfield County, 2.09 mi NE of Allport
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.990, -78.170

The RWIS station on Interstate 80 at Kylertown measured a 60 mph wind gust as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through.

Thunderstorm Wind, Centre

When: March 16, 1:36 PM EST
Where: Centre County, 0.87 mi NE of South Philipsburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.890, -78.210

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph knocked a tree down onto an unoccupied car in Philipsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearfield

When: March 16, 1:36 PM EST
Where: Clearfield County, 1.55 mi S of Sylvan Grove
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 41.008, -78.167

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph, consistent with nearby observations, caused extensive tree damage along Rolling Stone Road near Kylertown. This thunderstorm uprooted or snapped upwards of 50 trees along the roadway between Kylertown and the intersection of Frenchville Karthaus Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Blair

When: March 16, 1:38 PM EST
Where: Blair County, 1.8 mi SSE of Skelp
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.596, -78.267

A severe thunderstorm producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph knocked trees and wires down onto Golf Course Road and Skelp Mountain Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearfield

When: March 16, 1:42 PM EST
Where: Clearfield County, 0.3 mi E of Quehanna
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.179, -78.144

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph, consistent with nearby observations, knocked down multiple trees and wires on Quehanna Highway near Quehanna Boot Camp.

Tornado, Clinton

When: March 16, 1:48 PM EST to 1:49 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 6.94 mi W of Keating to 6.54 mi W of Keating
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.66 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.255, -78.053

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed a brief EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds estimated at 100 mph. The tornado impacted the areas along Dutchman and Jerry Ridge roads in northern Clinton County while it moved across its 0.66 mile long path. The tornado uprooted or snapped over 300 trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: March 16, 1:48 PM EST
Where: Potter County, 0.48 mi W of Roulette
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $14,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.780, -78.159

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and powerlines in Roulette. This severe thunderstorms also produced damage to an outbuilding in Roulette.

Thunderstorm Wind, Centre

When: March 16, 1:50 PM EST
Where: Centre County, 0.87 mi NE of Port Matilda
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 40.810, -78.040

The RWIS station on Interstate 99 at mile marker 63.5 measured a 62 mph wind gusts as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clearfield

When: March 16, 1:50 PM EST
Where: Clearfield County, 0.12 mi ESE of Karthaus
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.119, -78.118

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph, consistent with nearby observations, knocked down multiple trees across Karthaus, which was confirmed by local fire departments.

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: March 16, 1:51 PM EST
Where: Potter County, 0.94 mi E of Shinglehouse
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.968, -78.182

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree into wires in Shinglehouse.

Thunderstorm Wind, Centre

When: March 16, 1:53 PM EST
Where: Centre County, 1.05 mi E of (Unv)univ Park State
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 40.850, -77.830

The AWOS at the State College Regional Airport measured a 64 mph wind gust as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through.

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: March 16, 1:55 PM EST
Where: Potter County, 0.24 mi E of Coudersport
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.770, -78.015

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires in Coudersport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: March 16, 1:55 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 3.98 mi NNW of Bitumen
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.354, -77.927

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires on Kettle Creek Road with a possible funnel cloud in the vicinity.

Thunderstorm Wind, Centre

When: March 16, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Centre County, 0.69 mi N of Pine Grove Mills
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.740, -77.870

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 70 mph knocked down multiple trees and power lines near Pine Grove Mills. A motorist exited his vehicle after stopping due to a fallen tree, began walking towards the tree, and was electrocuted by a downed power line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Centre

When: March 16, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Centre County, 2.32 mi SSW of Woodycrest
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.790, -77.900

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 70 mph caused widespread damage to trees and powerlines throughout State College.

Thunderstorm Wind, Centre

When: March 16, 2:01 PM EST to 2:06 PM EST
Where: Centre County, 0.58 mi S of Bellefonte to 1.77 mi S of Curtin
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $140,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 40.912, -77.771

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed a downburst in Bellefonte associated with a line of severe thunderstorms that moved through on March 16, 2025. Notable tree and power line damage was observed near Saint Johns Cemetery and Union Cemetery. Additional tree damage occurred throughout downtown Bellefonte and resulted in extensive power outages. As the strongest winds moved to the east, a structure housing farm animals on Scott Avenue was damaged and a large garage on Jacksonville Road collapsed. Tree damage continued along the rest of the 3.3 mile path which ended just north of the I-80 and I-99 interchange.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huntingdon

When: March 16, 2:01 PM EST
Where: Huntingdon County, 1.57 mi NNE of Todd
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.290, -78.066

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees onto Beavertown Road west of Cassville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: March 16, 2:06 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 0.53 mi NNW of South Renovo
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.327, -77.753

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph caused roof damage to the American Legion building in Renovo.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huntingdon

When: March 16, 2:09 PM EST
Where: Huntingdon County, 0.91 mi NW of Mc Alevys Fort
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 40.640, -77.831

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees onto wires in McAlevys Fort causing power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: March 16, 2:14 PM EST to 2:15 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 0.11 mi NNW of Beech Creek to 0.71 mi N of Beech Creek
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $90,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.081, -77.601

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed that a downburst occurred on March 16, 2025 with maximum estimated winds of 100 mph northeast of Beech Creek. Damage began along Monument Orviston Road where several large trees fell onto a garage. Additional tree damage was observed along Laurel Run Road where multiple roofs were damaged. Extensive pine tree damage continued across Berry Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: March 16, 2:19 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 0.75 mi E of Beech Creek
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: AWSS
Coordinates: 41.080, -77.585

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph knocked over numerous trees on the north side of Beech Creek.

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: March 16, 2:21 PM EST
Where: Potter County, 0.48 mi E of Galeton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $6,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.731, -77.641

A line of severe thunderstorms producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a half dozen trees in Galeton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: March 16, 2:28 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 0.42 mi N of Lock Haven Mem Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.136, -77.419

A line of severe thunderstorms passed through Lock Haven, with the AWOS at Piper Memorial Airport measuring a 59 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tioga

When: March 16, 2:32 PM EST to 2:35 PM EST
Where: Tioga County, 0.99 mi N of Balsam to 1.44 mi N of Balsam
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.714, -77.350

An NWS Storm Survey confirmed that a downburst, with maximum winds estimated near 100 mph, occurred along Balsam Road in Tioga County during the afternoon hours of March 16, 2025. Numerous pine trees were snapped and uprooted, leading to some roof damage at households on Balsam Road. A utility pole was downed along with several shingles of a couple of buildings being blown off in the vicinity. On the northwest side of Balsam Road, multiple softwood trees had their trunks snapped.

Hail, Tioga

When: March 16, 2:34 PM EST
Where: Tioga County, Wellsboro
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.750, -77.300

A strong thunderstorm produced nickel-sized hail in Wellsboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mifflin

When: March 16, 2:38 PM EST
Where: Mifflin County, 0.23 mi N of Yeagertown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 40.633, -77.580

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated at 60 mph caused roof damage at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Driver's License Center in Yeagertown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lycoming

When: March 16, 2:42 PM EST
Where: Lycoming County, 0.68 mi NNE of Larryville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.240, -77.217

As a line of severe thunderstorms moved through Larryville, a measured wind gust of 63 mph was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tioga

When: March 16, 2:48 PM EST
Where: Tioga County, 0.61 mi NNE of Mansfield
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 41.807, -77.074

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees in Mansfield along with causing roof damage to North Hall of Commonwealth University's Mansfield campus.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lycoming

When: March 16, 2:55 PM EST
Where: Lycoming County, 0.94 mi NNE of Balls Mills
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.332, -77.021

A line of severe thunderstorms producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph blew the roof off of an outbuilding along Rose Valley Road north of Balls Mills.

Hail, York

When: March 16, 8:34 PM EST
Where: York County, 1.62 mi N of Bandana
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.773, -76.933

A severe thunderstorm produced quarter to ping-pong sized hail west of Codorus State Park in the vicinity of Lakeview Terrace.

Hail, York

When: March 16, 8:54 PM EST
Where: York County, 0.53 mi E of Red Lion
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.900, -76.610

A strong thunderstorm produced nickel-sized hail in Red Lion.

The people who died

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
Thunderstorm Wind, Centre	2025-03-16	23	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Pennsylvania, 2025 Warnings in Pennsylvania, March 2025

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: 1238164, 1238165, 1238166, 1238168, 1238169, 1238171, 1238176, 1238177, 1238178, 1238431, 1238175, 1238183, 1238179, 1238181, 1238427, 1238202, 1238186, 1238876, 1238196, 1238197, 1238218, 1238873, 1238204, 1238871, 1238208, 1238884, 1238232, 1238872, 1238885, 1238233, 1238887, 1238891, 1238219, 1238221, 1238217, 1238877, 1238890, 1238878, 1238235, 1238892, and more.