A strongly forced band of convection developed over West Virginia in the morning ahead of an approaching front, and quickly lifted north-northeastward into Pennsylvania through the early afternoon. Despite relatively modest instability, very strong deep layer shear, along with largely unidirectional southerly flow and elongated hodographs, supported the continuation of significant severe storms.
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 PBZ wrote it up.
A strongly forced band of convection developed over West Virginia in the morning ahead of an approaching front, and quickly lifted north-northeastward into Pennsylvania through the early afternoon. Despite relatively modest instability, very strong deep layer shear, along with largely unidirectional southerly flow and elongated hodographs, supported the continuation of significant severe storms. Large impact was felt from straight-line wind, with gusts in the 60 to 80 MPH range, locally higher, causing widespread damage to trees, power lines, and structures. The line of storms continued into Pennsylvania, where the environment was more favorable for tornadic development. In addition to damaging winds, a number of large hail reports were received, with some stones as large as 1.75 inch diameter. Also, embedded supercells/mesovortices produced five confirmed tornadoes during the afternoon (one of which crossed from Fayette County into Westmoreland County).
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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 16, 10:03 AM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1103 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Showers and thunderstorms are expected today as a strong cold front crosses the region. Some storms could be severe. A few snow showers are possible early Monday before high pressure returns dry and warmer weather to the region through mid week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... KEY MESSAGES: - Strong cold front crosses today - Showers and thunderstorms expected - Severe storms possible, with damaging wind and isolated tornadoes - Gusty wind outside of thunderstorms ------------------------------------------------------------------- A cold front currently crossing through central Ohio will cross the region, with convection developing ahead of the front late this morning and into the afternoon. Strong speed and directional shear with a low level jet max of 50-70kt at 850mb is progged, as well as CAPE values between 500 and 750j/kg. Latest CAMs hint towards storms in a line or broken line, and given the current synoptic situation and several hours of plentiful solar insolation to bolster sfc instability, the threat of damaging wind and possible QLCS tornadoes has increased. After coordination with SPC, a Tornado Watch has been issued, and is valid until 4PM this afternoon. Wind gusts to 40mph are also possible outside of any storms with mixing and a tight surface pressure gradient during the day. The low's surface cold front is progged to cross the region by mid to late afternoon. Additional showers and storms are likely with the front, though instability and shear is progged to be less than with the earlier activity. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/... KEY MESSAGES: - Rain changes to snow before ending Monday - Dry and warmer Tuesday ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rain is expected to change to snow overnight into early Monday in cold advection after FROPA, and as the upper trough axis crosses the region. No accumulation is expected for most of the area, though an inch or less is possible across the higher terrain areas. Wind should also diminish tonight as the surface pressure gradient begins to lessen. Dry weather and a clearing trend is then expected Monday afternoon through Tuesday night as high pressure builds across the region. After a brief cool down on Monday, temperatures should return to 10 to 15 degrees above average by Tuesday. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... KEY MESSAGES: - Dry Wednesday - Rain chances return Wednesday night through Thursday night - Warm Thursday, then cooler through the weekend ------------------------------------------------------------------- Model ensembles indicate an amplified pattern to start mid week. Ridging, ahead of a central CONUS trough, will maintain dry weather on Wednesday. This trough, and its associated surface low, will advance eastward Wednesday night through Thursday, crossing the region region Thursday night. Increasing rain chances are expected with its approach and passage. The rain could mix with or change to snow late Thursday and Thursday night in cold advection behind the low. The flow is progged to become less amplified by late week. Weaker, fast moving disturbances are expected to be embedded in this flow. Dry weather is expected to return Friday under high pressure, though another fast moving trough/surface low is progged for Saturday, returning showers to the region. && .AVIATION /15Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... A deep upper level low will create scattered lighter rain showers in between two surface boundaries that will be the main focus of impact through the afternoon. The first, currently in eastern OH as of 12z, may develop a line of notably gusty winds between 30-40kts but may intensify through 15z as it lifts NE and increase lightning production. A second boundary will develop shortly after that along a S to SW wind shift between 16z-21z, and again will pose the risk for lightning, wind gust between 35-45kt (and locally higher), and small hail. Confidence is fairly low on the exact timing for potential terminal impacts given varied model guidance projections and current struggles in capturing near-term environment. The expectation is for a cold front to cross between 22z-04z tonight that will see wind subside (but remain breezy) and bring areawide MVFR with localized IFR cigs. Remnant influence of the upper low and the onset of cold advection may regenerate iso/sct showers that transition to snow and favor northwest PA. At this time, accumulations are expected to be minimal given meager moisture/temperature profiles. Outlook... Precipitation will taper off Monday morning while subsidence and dry advection slowly erode area MVFR stratocu; there is high confidence in VFR returning to sites by 18z (only 10-25% probability of MVFR cigs lingering). There is high confidence in VFR under the influence of high pressure until the next low pressure system crosses the region late Wednesday into Thursday. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...Wind Advisory until 2 PM EDT this afternoon for WVZ514. && SYNOPSIS...88 NEAR TERM...88 SHORT TERM...WM LONG TERM...WM AVIATION...Frazier
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1034 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ007>009-013>016-020>022-029- 031-073>078-WVZ001>004-012-021-509>513-171445- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Mercer-Venango-Forest- Lawrence-Butler-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong- Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-Higher Elevations of Westmoreland- Fayette-Higher Elevations of Fayette-Indiana- Higher Elevations of Indiana-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel- Marion-Monongalia- Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston- Eastern Preston-Western Tucker- 1034 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...TORNADO WATCH 53 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tornado Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. WVZ514-171445- Eastern Tucker- 1034 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... ...TORNADO WATCH 53 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tornado Watch. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
636 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
OHZ039-048-057-058-068-161115-
Muskingum OH-Noble OH-Tuscarawas OH-Coshocton OH-Guernsey OH-
636 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN MUSKINGUM...
NORTHWESTERN NOBLE...SOUTHEASTERN COSHOCTON...GUERNSEY AND
SOUTHWESTERN TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES UNTIL 715 AM EDT...
At 636 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from near Coshocton to 14 miles southeast of
South Zanesville, or extending from near Coshocton to 16 miles
southeast of Zanesville, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Coshocton, Cambridge, Newcomerstown, New Concord, Byesville, West
Lafayette, Gnadenhutten, Philo, Port Washington, Pleasant Grove,
Pleasant City, Cumberland, Conesville, Lore City, Old Washington,
Plainfield, Norwich, Otsego, Bridgeville and Chandlersville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4016 8197 4020 8197 4043 8145 4026 8141
3988 8148 3976 8176 3977 8193
TIME...MOT...LOC 1036Z 216DEG 45KT 4021 8189 3996 8183 3974 8188
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MLBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
701 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
OHZ039-040-049-058-161145-
Carroll OH-Tuscarawas OH-Harrison OH-Guernsey OH-
701 AM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL HARRISON...
CARROLL...NORTHEASTERN GUERNSEY AND TUSCARAWAS COUNTIES UNTIL 745 AM
EDT...
At 701 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms extending from 14 miles northwest of Strasburg to 5
miles northeast of Cambridge, or extending from 19 miles northwest
of Dover to 5 miles northeast of Cambridge, moving northeast at 60
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
New Philadelphia, Dover, Uhrichsville, Carrollton, Freeport,
Newcomerstown, Dennison, Strasburg, Sugarcreek, Gnadenhutten,
Antrim, Malvern, Tuscarawas, Bolivar, Baltic, Scio, Midvale,
Mineral City, Jewett and Port Washington.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 4063 8166 4063 8167 4065 8147 4067 8146
4066 8144 4065 8145 4065 8124 4072 8124
4073 8115 4046 8094 4042 8094 4042 8092
4039 8091 4005 8148 4025 8162 4037 8162
4037 8170 4038 8171 4044 8171 4044 8167
TIME...MOT...LOC 1101Z 212DEG 52KT 4075 8171 4028 8152 4008 8152
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MLBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1202 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1152 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Zanesville Airport 39.95N 81.90W
03/16/2025 M76 mph Muskingum OH ASOS
&&
Event Number PBZ2505219
CLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1211 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1140 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Roseville 39.81N 82.07W
03/16/2025 Muskingum OH Law Enforcement
Trees and power poles down in the southern part of the
county, especially in the Roseville area. Time
estimated.
&&
Event Number PBZ2505220
CLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1215 PM EDT Sun Mar 16 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1145 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Coshocton 40.26N 81.85W
03/16/2025 Coshocton OH Law Enforcement
Multiple reports of tree and power pole damage across
the county.
&&
Event Number PBZ2505221
CLThe Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 10 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:19 UTC.
81 thunderstorm wind, 24 hail, 6 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree damage was reported near the intersection of US Route 30 and US Route 22.
Snapped tree, with a photo provided.
Large branches blown down.
Many instances of large branches down across the area.
Power outages reported in the area of Mount Morris.
A tree was blown down across West Lincoln Street.
A team from the National Weather Service office in Pittsburgh performed a storm survey along a pair of storm tracks associated with mesovortex structures in the line of severe thunderstorms that moved through the region Sunday afternoon, March 16th. One area was near Dilliner, along the shore of the Monongahela River, where the mesovortex interacted with terrain to create a larger area of tree damage, estimated to have been caused by 80 MPH wind. The concentrated swath of damage was located on the southern-end surge of a meso-vortex embedded in a linear convective system with widespread winds of 55mph to 75mph along Cemetery Hill Road, with some acceleration to as much as 80mph as the wind accelerated into the Monongahela Valley with terrain influence. After further examination, including the evaluation of high-resolution satellite data, it was determined that the damage was non-tornadic.
A tree was blown down on Pennsylvania Route 28 between the 31st Street Bridge and the 16th Street Bridge.
Power lines were downed on the ground and a house.
Trees were down in the area of Jefferson.
Trees were blown down on Mine Hill Road and Palmer Road.
A power line was blown down and was on fire near Colvin Road.
A porch roof was lifted off of a house in Carroll Township.
A team from the National Weather Service office in Pittsburgh performed a storm survey along a pair of storm tracks associated with mesovortex structures in the line of severe thunderstorms that moved through the region Sunday afternoon, March 16th. One such track was in the area of York Run in Fayette County, just northwest of Smithfield. Mostly tree damage was observed, and was determined to be the result of straight-line wind, generally in the 60 to 70 MPH range. Some minor roof damage was observed to a manufactured home on Club York Road. One area along Old Frame Road likely experienced wind of up to 80 MPH, where several trees were uprooted, laying on the ground in a northeast direction, similar to the overall motion of the line of storms.
A porch was blown off of a home along Valley Avenue in Carroll Township.
Multiple trees were blown down on New Salem Road.
A tree was blown down across Nemacolin Road at Rutters Lane.
A tree was blown down, blocking East Roy Furman Highway.
A tree was downed across Crucible Road at Bayard Avenue.
Power poles were snapped along Morgantown Road.
An EF1 tornado developed within a squall line, near Haddenville, PA in Fayette County on March 16th. Initial EF0 damage, consisting of uprooted hardwood trees was noted along Stoney Point Road, north of the intersection with New Salem Road. The tornado then tracked to the northeast between Stoney Point and Kaider Roads possibly touching down and lifting several times as damage was more sporadic through the first half mile of its track. The tornado intensified as it neared Sunset Way, where EF1 damage was noted. This included a front door and windows being blown in on a newly completed house, loss of shingles and siding, trees uprooted and the flattening of a small shed. The tornado advanced down a hill and crossed Kaider Road near Kurutz Lane. A single family residence near this intersection had several windows broken and a portion of its |roof was torn off and blown into a tree line some 500 feet away. The same tree line saw multiple trees snapped and uprooted. The tornado then weakened as it approached Haddenville Road, where EF0 damage was noted including: loss of shingles, a softwood tree snapped and multiple trees damaged and uprooted. The tornado began to dissipate |near Highway 40.
Trees were uprooted on the hillside facing Locust Avenue.
A large cherry tree was uprooted and blown down onto a phone line.
Trees were blown down in the area.
Trees were blown down in multiple locations in Menallen Township.
Numerous trees were blown down, and damage was done to a garage door and siding damage was reported at a post office.
Power poles were snapped at Delafield Road and Rutledge Drive.
Wires were blown down along Gulf Lab Road, closing the road.
Trees were downed on to a mobile home, causing interior and exterior damage.
A traffic light was blown over into the intersection of Route 40 and Wards Road.
Metal roofing panels were blown off of a barn.
A roof was blown off of a farmer's market.
Trees blown down, along with damage to the roofs of a barn and a house.
Trees were blown down and damage to an outdoor shed was reported between 9th and 11th Streets.
A tree was downed at the intersection of Carson Street and Monroeville Boulevard.
A billboard was blown down near Route 119.
Reported damage included downed 3 inch tree limbs and shingle ripped off of a roof.
Roof damage was done to a mobile home.
A storage garage along Industrial Park Road appears to have had a portion of its roof structure uplifted and removed, based on a photo provided. Trees also were reported down in the area. This location is coincident with an intense mesovortex. Based on drone footage of the garage and downstream forests, the cause is likely straight-line wind as damage is limited to the garage, with only a couple of snapped trees, and all of this damage was blown in the direction of the prevailing wind.
An EF1 tornado developed within a squall line, impacting the Chestnut Ridge region of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. Initial EF0 damage, characterized by snapped hardwood trees, was observed near Breakneck and Wingrove Roads. The tornado then tracked northeast, crossing Bear Rocks and County Line Road, where it crossed into Westmoreland County. Estimated peak wind for the Fayette County portion of the tornado was 80 MPH.
According to the emergency manager, there was structural damage, road closures, and a massive amount of power poles and wires down.
Downed trees and power lines were observed just west of Sharon.
This EF1 tornado developed within a squall line, impacting the Chestnut Ridge region of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. The tornado, causing EF0 damage in Fayette County, caused more significant damage after crossing County Line Road and then Acme Dams Road. This included snapped large pine trees, power poles tilted at a 45-degree angle, the loss of a carport roof from a residence, and a flipped RV trailer. As the tornado crossed Claypike Road, a power pole snapped, and an outdoor structure sustained 20% roof damage. The tornado began to weaken as it ascended a hillside near Stairs Road, dissipating near Donegal Lake. However, it subsequently re-intensified a few miles downstream, between Mansville and Ligonier PA as a new tornado touchdown. Maximum estimated wind speed for this portion of the tornado track was 100 MPH.
Trees were downed on Ross Avenue.
Trees were blown down on Campbell Run Road.
Small outbuildings were blown over and tree limbs were downed.
Measured at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.
Power poles were arcing across County Line Road.
Downed trees and power lines were reported in the area.
Structural damage reported by the emergency manager.
A brief EF1 tornado occurred southwest of Ligonier. This tornado was part of the same parent circulation that generated the tornado near Donegal and Bear Rocks. The primary damage was to trees, with numerous snapped and uprooted pines and maples noted by the survey team along Darlington Road, Fairview School Road, and Weller Road, with a concentration of 20-30 trees affected between Fairview School and Weller Road. The tornado dissipated near Two Mile Run Road.
Reports of multiple trees and power lines down across North Beaver Township.
Downed trees and power lines were reported in the area.
Downed trees and power lines were reported in the area.
Large trees were reported down across roads in the area.
The emergency manager reported structural damage in the area.
A short-lived tornado impacted the area between Wilpen and West Fairfield PA. This tornado snapped hardwood trees near Hamill School Road. The tornado then moved through a wooded area and severely damaged a barn, stripping its tin roof and collapsing three exterior walls. The tornado weakened and dissipated near Hypocrite Creek Road.
Multiple trees and power lines were downed in Neshannock Township.
Structural damage was reported in the area by the county emergency manager.
Multiple trees were reported to be down in Saylor Park.
A tornado touched down in a field near Barrondale Rd., causing partial collapse of a barn and uplifting the roof of an outbuilding before moving into a forested area and causing sporadic hardwood tree damage. Damage became more consistent along a ridge line immediately south of Luciusboro Rd. The tornado crossed the road, snapping the tops of softwood trees before uplifting the roof and collapsing the walls of a second|barn. Debris from the second barn was lofted and ejected to the left of the track. The tornado continued into the woods and to the next ridge line, uprooting a cluster of large hardwoods and snapping multiple trunks. A portion of the barn roof was deposited near the ridge line, over 300 yards to the north. Peak estimated wind speed of the tornado was 105 MPH.
A large tree trunk snapped and fell on to a car.
A barn and farm outbuildings were destroyed by wind in Josephine.
Trees were blown down in Rural Valley.
There was a report of damage to multiple structures in Fairfield Township, along with a funnel cloud sighting.
Trees and power lines were reported down in the area.
Picture provided of a large tree on a house on Chestnut Street.
Downed trees and power lines were reported in the area.
Trees and power lines were downed, blocking Route 56 between Old Mission Road and PA-954.
Trees were down on both ends of Snyder Road.
A tree was reported to be downed on to a house.
Tree damage was reported at Yellow Creek State Park.
Multiple trees and power poles were downed on US-422 at Yellow Creek Campground.
A tree was downed on Kimmel Road.
Two trees were uprooted, and two dead trees were knocked down.
Numerous trees were reported to be down.
Roof damage was done to a house, with roofs completely removed from outbuildings.
Route 36 was closed between Leeper and State Route 899 due to downed trees.
A large tree was uprooted in Clymer. A picture was provided.
A tree was downed on Route 553 near Penns Manor School.
Sensor site located on US-422 at Penn Run.
According to poweroutage.us, there were 10,572 customers without power, or about 43 percent of Jefferson County as of 3:11 PM EDT.
According to poweroutage.us, there were 1,918 customers without power, or about 28% of Forest County.
Tree damage caused closures of Route 56 as well as nearby Snyder Road.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Enon Road and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
A tree was reported down on Alborn Avenue.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Pennsylvania, 2025Warnings in Pennsylvania, March 2025
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: 1245471, 1245705, 1245706, 1245707, 1245709, 1245710, 1245447, 1250416, 1245448, 1245711, 1245712, 1245714, 1245449, 1245450, 1245715, 1245716, 1245717, 1250421, 1245747, 1245719, 1245722, 1245723, 1245726, 1245451, 1245733, 1247588, 1245734, 1245736, 1245737, 1245748, 1245751, 1245753, 1245755, 1245756, 1245758, 1245452, 1245453, 1245760, 1245454, 1245455, and more.