A cold frontal passage brought a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms to mainly southern Pennsylvania during the afternoon and evening hours of June 22, 2026. Despite a favorable lifting mechanism, thunderstorms largely failed to organize into a cohesive line due to lack of favorable bulk shear and instability across the region.
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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 CTP wrote it up.
A cold frontal passage brought a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms to mainly southern Pennsylvania during the afternoon and evening hours of June 22, 2026. Despite a favorable lifting mechanism, thunderstorms largely failed to organize into a cohesive line due to lack of favorable bulk shear and instability across the region. There was a narrow corridor of instability that exceeded 1000 J/kg across far western Pennsylvania that allowed for some storms to become marginally severe and produce damaging wind gusts as they came into Somerset County. Due to these thunderstorms, there were multiple reports of widespread trees and wires down near Confluence and Friedens before storms became weaker further east.
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 Jun 22, 1:36 PM EST, 3 hours 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 236 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Level 2/5 severe T-storm risk expanded over the southern tier of central PA for this afternoon and evening && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Scattered severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall are possible across the southern tier/third of central PA this afternoon and evening && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1: Scattered severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall possible across the southern tier/third of central PA this afternoon and evening Our focus this afternoon is on the southern half of the forecast area as a warm front lifts northward into Pennsylvania. Sfc dewpoints are projected to surge into the upper 60s to the south of the front where some cloud breaks should allow for at least modest destabilization. The moderately sheared and conditionally moist/unstable convective environment should promote scattered t-storm ignition into peak diurnal heating. The initial storm development is expected to evolve into forward propagating clusters with a strong to locally damaging wind threat. As convection intercepts the northward moving warm front over the southern tier of CPA, locally backed flow and more favorable low level shear may support the development of at least transient supercells with some tornado potential. SPC has expanded the level 2/5 slight risk to include the entire southern tier/third of CPA (areas near and south of US-22) along with corresponding severe wind and 2% tornado probs. Heavy rainfall will also be a concern with pwat values between 1.5 and 2 inches. This is around the 95th percentile for this time of year and would support intense rain rates perhaps as high as 2-3"/hr. A warm cloud depth in excess of 11,000 feet and tall, skinny CAPE profiles also support a heavy rain signal. WPC has maintained a level 2/4 slight risk for excessive rainfall (ERO) over roughly the southern third of the forecast area where isolated instances of flash flooding will be possible, particularly in training/repeat storms over urban areas. The two limiting factors going against a more considerable flash flood threat are the ongoing dryness/drought conditions focused over the LSV and fairly progressive storm motions. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Drier conditions are expected for the middle of the week as high pressure builds into Pennsylvania, though there is an increasing signal for light rain to hang around for much of the day on Tuesday across eastern PA as a wave of low pressure develops along a cold front to our southeast. A slight warming trend is expected, with high temperatures expected to be in the 70s and low 80s through the end of the week. An upper level disturbance moving through the region on Thursday and Friday will bring the next chance for showers and thunderstorms to Central PA, though there are still some timing differences in the models as to when rain will be most likely. Temperatures continue to warm up into the weekend, with most of the area expected to see highs in the 80s by Sunday. A major pattern change upstream over the Pacific/Intermountain West this weekend could spell a return of more typical hot and humid conditions to close out June and begin July. && .AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Low pressure and a warm front are tracking through the Commonwealth today and bringing rain, the possibility of thunderstorms, and widespread restrictions in the near term and overnight. The initial wave of showers is moving off to the east and redevelopment is occurring in SW PA in the form of scattered showers. While exact timing is uncertain regarding how long any showers/thunderstorms will persist in any region, these storms are likely to, in some capacity, restrict all airfields with the lowest confidence in Bradford. Visibility restrictions to IFR is possible with any of the showers or storms that pass through, given robust moisture in place, along with MVFR cloud bases with some potential for IFR bases. Ceilings overall will lower as the day progresses into night though even after convection has left our area. IFR restrictions from these ceilings are expected across the whole area spreading north to south as the evening/night progresses. The best chance for overnight LIFR at this time is at BFD and JST. Visibility restrictions are anticipated as well. Cloud cover is likely to preclude widespread prevailing fog below IFR threshold. Mist though is expected with all of the lingering moisture which will see likely lead to restrictions as well, mostly in the MVFR category at this time. However with such robust moisture in place, widespread drops in visibility further into IFR cannot be ruled out. Conditions will improve starting around 12Z tomorrow at BFD and spread eastward in the form of visibilities improving and ceilings moving up as clouds show signs of thinning. Outlook... Tue...Lower chances of showers, mainly VFR. Wed...Mainly VFR, dry conditions expected Thu...Restrictions possible in another round of evening/overnight precipitation Fri...Restrictions possible in another round of daytime/evening showers. Sat...Restrictions possible in another round of showers. && .CLIMATE... 5th driest June 2026 (MTD) on record (of 132 years) at Williamsport with total monthly precip 0.73" 9th warmest average high temperature of 84.4 degrees at Harrisburg for June 2026 (MTD) on record (of 138 years) 10th driest June 2026 (MTD) on record at Harrisburg with total monthly precip of 0.58" && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && WHAT HAS CHANGED...Steinbugl/Bauco KEY MESSAGES...Steinbugl/Bauco DISCUSSION...Steinbugl/Bauco AVIATION...Lambert/Lambrech CLIMATE...Steinbugl
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 459 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026 PAZ004-005-232100- Warren-McKean- 459 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ024>028-033>036-056-057-059-063>066-232100- Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton- Franklin-Perry-Dauphin-Lebanon-Cumberland-Adams-York-Lancaster- 459 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 375 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/StateCollege on the internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ058-232100- Schuylkill- 459 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat with some conditional or non zero tornado potential. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ006-010>012-017>019-037-041-042-045-046-049>053-232100- Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-Northern Centre- Southern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton- Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-Northumberland-Columbia- 459 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Isolated strong thunderstorms with gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall are possible this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
353 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026
PAZ066-222030-
Lancaster PA-
353 PM EDT Mon Jun 22 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LANCASTER COUNTY
THROUGH 430 PM EDT...
At 352 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Akron, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lancaster, Ephrata, New Holland, Akron, Leola, Paradise, Denver,
Reamstown, Rothsville, Strasburg, Adamstown, Terre Hill, Churchtown,
Leacock, Bareville, Bowmansville, Reinholds, Lampeter, Intercourse,
and Fivepointville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
south central Pennsylvania.
&&
LAT...LON 4011 7593 4010 7594 4005 7594 3996 7619
4007 7632 4029 7610 4014 7587
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 228DEG 37KT 4009 7618
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BaucoThe Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 108 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:43 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm, producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph, knocked down multiple trees onto roadways in Lower Turkeyfoot Township.
A severe thunderstorm, producing wind gusts estimated near 60 mph, knocked down multiple trees in the vicinity of Listie Road and Heyer Road south of Friedens.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, June 2026
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: 1341747, 1341748.