A deep stream of moisture was pulled northwestward from the Atlantic Ocean into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania around an upper level low centered over the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours of May 13. 2025.
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.
A deep stream of moisture was pulled northwestward from the Atlantic Ocean into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania around an upper level low centered over the Ohio Valley during the afternoon and evening hours of May 13. 2025. This led to extensive flooding and flash flooding across Somerset County and southwestern Bedford County, and more sporadic flooding from the remainder of Bedford County eastward into Fulton and Franklin counties.
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 13, 9:47 AM EST, 1 hour 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA Issued by National Weather Service Binghamton NY 1047 AM EDT Tue May 13 2025 .SYNOPSIS... * An extended period of wet weather is expected, with at least some rainfall anticipated on a daily basis, from Tuesday right into the weekend * Long duration heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding across south central PA this afternoon through the overnight hours * Temperatures will average near to somewhat above seasonal normals for mid-May && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... 930 am update... Late morning satellite and radar imagery show the upper low gradually opening up and slowly wobbling northward from the southern Appalachians, with a firehose of moisture coming from the Mid-Atlantic coast northward into south-central PA. Some enhanced radar echoes are edging from the MD panhandle northward into Somerset county as of this writing, with some 0.25-0.4"/hour estimates on MRMS. We'll continue to watch this area closely through the afternoon, particularly if any convective elements can develop. Temperatures are not likely to rise a great deal from their present values, given thick cloud cover and persistent showers. Highs largely in the 60s are foreseen, with perhaps some readings staying in the upper 50s over the higher terrain. Previous discussion... Water vapor and IR satellite imagery this morning show a deep upper low centered over western Virginia well separated from the associated surface occlusion in northern Mississippi. Both circulations are responsible for a surge of high-PWAT air moving northward and bringing widespread showers to the Commonwealth today. Rain will cross the PA/NY border by daybreak with numerous showers expected to persist throughout the day and into the evening. In spite of meager instability, anomalous southeasterly flow oriented perpendicular to the Allegheny ridges, anomalously high PWAT values (1.5-1.7"), and long duration rainfall will result in the potential for flooding this afternoon and overnight. With little to no thunderstorm activity expected across Pennsylvania, rainfall rates should remain below 1 inch per hour in most cases, but tropical moisture will lead to efficient rainfall production. Latest rainfall guidance from WPC and a suite of convective allowing model/ensemble guidance depicts increasing confidence in localized rainfall amounts exceeding 3 inches (and perhaps isolated instances of >4") along east facing slopes in the south central mountains. Not expecting much of a "flash" flooding threat, but the occurrence of 3"+ rainfall totals could create areal/urban/small stream flooding. Have hoisted a Flood Watch for a portion of south central PA where the highest rainfall totals are expected. Notably, flash flood guidance is lowest east of the Flood Watch along the Susquehanna basin. If persistent bands of heavy rain set up farther northeast than currently expected, the Watch may need to be expanded or Warnings may be needed outside the Watch. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... By Wednesday, the deepest moisture supply is progged to start to lift away from PA. However, with upper-level energy still upstream and a sufficiency of remaining moisture, additional showers and thunderstorms seem like a good bet. Lower rainfall rates should limit the risk of flooding beyond Wednesday morning. Thick cloud cover and persistent rainfall will keep daytime highs in the 60s to near 70. On Thursday, upper level ridging building in should promote warm advection and a surge of warmer temperatures. Highs are progged to get into the 70s across the entire area with a few locations in southern PA possible cresting the 80F mark. A mix of sun and clouds will be a welcome change after the long-duration rainfall event. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... 1045 am update... On the large-scale, with the slow moving cutoff low having already opened up and lifted north of the Commonwealth by Friday, the next system to watch will be an incoming short-wave in the northern stream tracking from the Upper Midwest across the Northeastern CONUS this weekend. The combination of that short-wave and a surface frontal complex will bring diurnally favored showers and thunderstorms Friday, then some lingering convection on Saturday. Sunday still looks a little questionable, with a cyclonic flow aloft and the passage of a secondary surface cool front. Thus, there remains enough uncertainty to justify the mention of at least scattered showers for the second part of the weekend. Early next week, model trends favor at least a brief period of drier conditions, with short-wave ridging aloft and a surface anticyclone building down from south-central Canada. && .AVIATION /15Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Showers now ongoing at all airfields with restrictions expected to develop/continue through most of the TAF period. IFR cigs are favored at all airfields by midday with several sites trending toward LIFR later this afternoon and evening. Persistent southeast winds could occasionally gust 20 to 25kts this afternoon. Outlook... Tue-Wed...Restrictions are likely, with lower clouds and numerous showers. Thu...Early restrictions in lower clouds, fog, and showers are possible. Some improvement is possible by afternoon prior to additional showers and storms developing. Fri...Showers and afternoon thunderstorms, along with restrictions. Sat...Showers and afternoon thunderstorms likely, along with restrictions. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for PAZ025-026-033>036- 064. && SYNOPSIS...Jurewicz/Banghoff NEAR TERM...Jurewicz/Banghoff SHORT TERM...Jurewicz/Banghoff LONG TERM...Jurewicz AVIATION...Banghoff/Martin
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA Issued by National Weather Service Binghamton NY 423 AM EDT Tue May 13 2025 PAZ004>006-010-011-017-037-140830- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Tioga- 423 AM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ025-026-033>036-064-140830- Blair-Huntingdon-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Adams- 423 AM EDT Tue May 13 2025 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ012-018-019-024-027-028-041-042-045-046-049>053-056>059-063-065- 066-140830- Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Mifflin- Juniata-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton- Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia-Perry- Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-York-Lancaster- 423 AM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain today and tonight will bring 1 to 3 inches of rainfall and could result in isolated instances of flooding. Locally higher amounts are possible on east facing slopes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 128 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:03 UTC.
16 flood, 8 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A several hour period of moderate to heavy rainfall led to multiple road closures in the Meyersdale area, as well the stranding of a train at the railroad crossing at Peterbrink Road south of Garrett.
A several hour period of moderate to heavy rainfall led to a landslide near Boynton.
Multiple vehicles became stranded in standing water along Mason Dixon Highway near Garrett.
Flash flooding partially submerged a car in 2 to 3 feet on McKenzie Hollow Road near Tall Pine Drive and Fallen Oak Drive, requiring a water rescue.
Flash flooding led to the evacuation of low-lying areas in and around Meyersdale.
Multiple reports were received of flooding along Route 219 between Salisbury and Meyersdale.
Flash flooding stranded a car in rapidly rising water in the 7000 block of Mount Davis Road near Meyersdale near the fairgrounds, resulting in one injury.
Flash-flooding led to the evacuation of low-lying areas in and around Salisbury.
Multiple roads has standing water and flooded basements were reported in Somerset, including on South Kimberly Avenuie.
Flash flooding led to a water rescue on the 700 block of Engles Mill Road east of Salisbury.
Flash flooding led to a swift water rescue in Boynton when an occupied vehicle went into Little Piney Creek at the Route 219 bridge and Post Office Street and floated downstream into the Cassleman River. Rescue operations were set up at the Coal Run Road bridge in Boynton.
PA Route 601 was closed in both directions just north of Somerset Borough due to standing water on the roadway.
Flash flooding occurred along Gooseberry Road near Hyndman, with up to 4 feet of water across the roadway.
Multiple trucks became stuck in standing water on East Main Street in Somerset near the Sheetz gas station.
Flash flooding led to an occupied vehicle becoming stranded in approximately 3 feet of water, requiring a water rescue.
Water was observed across Route 522 between Honeysuckle Lane and Warren Drive north of McConnellsburg.
Flooding on Blackberry Lane near Great Cove Road closed the roadway.
Tonoloway Creek overflowed it's banks near Warfordsburg, flooding both lanes of Pigeon Cover Road near Stillwater Road.
Flooding led to 10 road closures across Franklin County across Lurgan, Southampton, Warren, and Montgomery townships.
Flooding washed out the gravel roadway near the intersection of Perrin Road and Bennett Road near Murphy Spring.
Barnes Road was reported to be underwater near the intersection with Alberts Road south of Inglesmith.
The northbound lane of Lincoln Highway (Route 30) was closed near the intersection with Pleasant Ridge Road at Harrisonville due to flooding.
A water rescue took place on Walnut Beach Road due to flooding on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, with two to three feet of water flowing through the occupant's yard.
A water rescue took place on Leisure Lane due to flooding from Dunnings Creek, with two to three feet of water flowing through the occupant's yard.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, May 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: 1244342, 1244344, 1246051, 1244604, 1244606, 1246053, 1244610, 1244616, 1246056, 1244612, 1244614, 1246059, 1246063, 1246067, 1244618, 1246084, 1246085, 1246087, 1246088, 1246092, 1246095, 1246098, 1246099, 1246100.