Tornadoes · United States · New Jersey · 2020

EF1 tornado, Brant Beach to Bay Side, New Jersey, August 4, 2020

Name: EF1 tornado, Brant Beach to Bay Side, New Jersey, August 4, 2020
Start: 2020-08-04T14:50:00.000Z
End: 2020-08-04T14:54:00.000Z
Location: Brant Beach to Bay Side, New Jersey

From Brant Beach to Bay Side, this EF1 tornado ran 3.3 miles across Ocean County on August 4, 2020, touching down at 10:50 AM EDT and reaching 100 yards wide. It killed nobody.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

EF065 to 85 mph
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating: EF1
Date: August 4, 2020
Touchdown: 10:50 AM EDT (14:50 UTC)
Lifted: 10:54 AM EDT (14:54 UTC)
On the ground: 4 minutes
Path length: 3.3 miles (5.3 km)
Path width: 100 yards (91 m)
Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
County: Ocean County
Touchdown point: 39.633, -74.197
Lift-off point: 39.680, -74.210
Record number: 2008040850-02

What the Weather Service recorded

Tropical Storm Isaias brought high winds, heavy rain, several tornadoes, and coastal flooding to the mid-Atlantic region, becoming the most impactful tropical cyclone to impact most of the region since Sandy in 2012.

A waterspout developed in Manahawkin Bay between Ship Bottom and |Brant Beach. It tracked northwestward and video footage showed the|circulation with light debris in the air crossing the Route 72 |bridge over the bay. The waterspout then continued tracking to the|northwest and passed east of Mud City before moving ashore into a|marshy area of the Manahawkin Wildlife Management area. Other |than some light debris reported in the air as it crossed the Route|72 bridge, no other damage reports have been received as of this |report. However, the circulation tracked right over the Long Beach|Island WeatherFlow weather station located north of Egg Island |and west of Flat Island in Manahawkin Bay which measured a 109 mph|wind gust at 10:53 AM EDT. This measurement was used to rate this|waterspout/tornado given the lack of actual damage. Doppler radar|data showed no evidence of a tornado debris signature. Doppler |radar data however did indicate velocities to 112 mph at about |1,600 feet above the ground very near the aforementioned weather |station.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 11:23 UTC and running to 17:11 UTC.

Issued (UTC)	Expired	Product	Office
23:12 UTC	00:00 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI
23:43 UTC	00:45 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI
23:56 UTC	00:25 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI
02:00 UTC	19:18 UTC	Flash Flood Watch	PHI
11:23 UTC	17:11 UTC	Tornado Watch	PHI
12:00 UTC	04:00 UTC	High Surf Advisory	PHI
12:00 UTC	04:00 UTC	Rip Currents Statement	PHI
14:15 UTC	14:29 UTC	Tornado Warning	PHI
15:00 UTC	15:11 UTC	Tornado Warning	PHI
15:00 UTC	21:30 UTC	Coastal Flood Advisory	PHI
15:01 UTC	18:32 UTC	Flash Flood Warning	PHI
21:30 UTC	23:13 UTC	Coastal Flood Statement	PHI
02:04 UTC	09:52 UTC	Coastal Flood Statement	PHI

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Enhanced Risk, with a 0.10 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 12:04 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at Aug 4, 9:15 AM EDT, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 4, 9:15 AM EDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
915 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Tropical Cyclone Isaias is expected to move north and reach the
Mid Atlantic later Tuesday. Isaias will move toward New England
by Wednesday. High pressure will build in to our north later
this week into this weekend while a weak front lingers to our
south.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Tornado Watch expanded to include all of New Jersey and most of
southeast Pennsylvania.

Significant impacts from Isaias will continue to affect the
region today.

Isaias is located just over eastern Virginia and is crossing the
Chesapeake Bay. Several tornadoes have occurred across portions
of Delmarva already, and this threat continues throughout the
day.

Lift across the area is being aided by a strengthening upper
jet over western PA / NY as the area is in the favorable right
entrance region. There is also low level convergence associated
with a lingering weak front across the area. There remains
sufficient instability with also very strong low level shear.
For this reason, locally damaging winds will be possible and
even a couple isolated tornadoes given the strong low level SRH
and lowering LCLs. Best chances for this will be for Delmarva,
SE PA, and central and southern NJ but this threat will spread
north through this morning.

By mid to late morning is when condition deteriorate further as
Isaias quickly advances towards the area. Tropical Cyclone
Isaias will speed quickly northward in response to a strong jet
streak passing through the region. Forecast models and the NHC
remain consistent in tracking the storm right through the heart
of the CWA near the urban corridor. It will also be starting to
undergo extratropical transition as it moves through our region.
The main timeframe of concern for the storm's strong winds,
heaviest rainfall and other associated impacts is mid/late
morning through much of the afternoon before the storm exits by
early this evening.

Multiple hazards with Isaias are expected including, but not
limited to, fresh water flooding, coastal flooding/storm surge,
strong winds and isolated tornadoes. The greatest precipitation
amounts are forecast to fall near and especially N/W of the
urban corridor. 3-6 inches of rain with locally higher amounts
up to 8 inches are expected. This will lead to a high flash
flooding threat, especially for the more urbanized areas and
portions of Berks County that received an excessive amount of
rain Sunday morning. In fact the flooding has the potential to
be widespread and significant. There also continues to be
increasing confidence widespread damaging winds will be an
issue...especially near and to the right of the storms track so
basically from the urban corridor S/E. Again, while the system
will be starting to lose its tropical characteristics, because
of the strong baroclinic zone it will be moving into this won't
allow it to really weaken much. Winds will initially be from the
E/SE then shift to NW behind the system. Sustained winds of 50+
mph are likely along the coast with gusts potentially exceeding
hurricane force (74+ mph). Farther N/W towards the I-95
corridor, widespread gusts of 50 to 60+ mph will be possible.
Importantly, it should be noted that because the storm will be
starting to become extratropical, the strongest winds/gusts over
inland areas could be immediately following the passage of the
storms center this afternoon since there will be better mixing
in this quadrant. And finally, the tornado threat: The threat
for isolated tornadoes is beginning to develop over southern
parts of our region during the predawn hours (as described
above) and this will spread north as we go through the rest of
the night into Tuesday morning. Areas near and S/E of urban
corridor will have the best chance for tornadoes.

The trend is for the storm to move through a bit faster than
previously forecast so expect it should be exiting by the
latter part of this afternoon into this evening. Winds/rain
should abate fairly quickly from south to north as this occurs.
Otherwise, Tuesday night should then finally feature quieter
weather though a secondary front and upper level wave could
trigger a few scattered showers.

&&

.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY/...
Quieter weather for Wednesday as high pressure starts to build
in to our north. This will bring a mainly dry day with
seasonable temperatures under partly to mostly sunny skies.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
A fairly typical but overall quieter summer pattern is expected
for the long term forecast. The mean upper level trough over the
east will lift out but the mid Atlantic region will remain in a
fairly moist W/SW flow regime around high pressure ridging over
the western Atlantic. This will result in chances for scattered
showers/storms most days that will be mainly diurnally driven
meaning the best chances will be in the afternoon and early
evening. Temperatures will be around average for this time of
year.

&&

.AVIATION /13Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG, KILG,
KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.

Today... A rapid deterioration in conditions is expected from
south to north soon after 12z. MVFR to IFR conditions are
expected through much of the day in association with Hurricane
Isaias. Areas of torrential rainfall with low vsbys are likely.
Strong and erratic winds are expected with a sharp change in
wind direction expected during the mid afternoon. Gusts may be
briefly higher than shown in the TAFs especially near MIV and
ACY. While confidence is low in exact details and timing,
confidence is high in the overall trend, with hazardous aviation
conditions expected for most of the area.

Tonight... Mainly VFR. Southwest winds 10 to 20 kt diminishing to 5
to 10 kt. Moderate confidence.

Outlook...

Wednesday through Saturday...Mostly VFR. Scattered SHRA/TSRA
possible each afternoon/evening that would result in brief sub-
VFR conditions at a given terminal. Fog may develop during the
overnight. West winds less than 10 kt on Wednesday, then east to
northeast Thursday through Saturday. LGT/VRB at night. Moderate
confidence.

&&

.MARINE...
Today and Tonight... Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect as Isaias
moves north through North Carolina. Isaias will continue to head
north and then northeast and approach the area early this morning.
This morning into afternoon sustained winds of 45 to 55 kts appears
likely with gusts up to Hurricane force expected. Heavy rain, and
isolated waterspouts, this morning into early afternoon will give
way to a gradual improving of conditions later this afternoon. Seas
will also build to between 12 and 18 feet over the Atlantic coastal
waters. A slow decrease in seas down towards 5 feet can be expected
by Wednesday morning.

Outlook...

Wednesday morning...Seas may linger near 5 feet on the New Jersey
coastal waters but should subside below advisory criteria by midday.

Wednesday afternoon through Saturday...Sub-advisory winds/seas
expected through the period. Chances of showers/storms through the
period, especially in the afternoon/evening hours.

Rip Currents...

On Tuesday, impacts from Isaias will increase the rip-current risk
level to high. In addition, high surf is expected. A rip
current risk statement and high surf advisory are in effect for
this period, so in conclusion Tuesday will not be a good day to
be at the beach.

The rip current risk will likely remain elevated on Wednesday.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Hydro concerns continue early this morning as showers/storms continue
ahead of Isaias. Any of these will be capable of producing heavy
rain with at least localized flash flooding possible. The heaviest,
steadiest rain with the storm will arrive this morning from
south to north with more widespread flash flooding becoming a
big concern during this time. Most susecptible areas will be
near and N/W of the I-95 corridor especially since places such
as in Berks County have received so much rainfall recently. With
Isaias, 3 to 6 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts are
expected. Flooding could be widespread and significant.

In addition to flash flooding, river flooding is also expected. But
with a more consolidated area of rainfall across PA, the threat
across NJ including the Passaic and Raritan basins has lessened. The
latest MARFC forecast still has about 15 forecast points above
Action Stage and 6 at or above Flood Stage, including, Philadelphia,
Norristown, and Pottstown on the Schuylkill, Graterford on Perkiomen
Creek, Langhorne on Neshaminy Creek, and Chadds Ford and Wilmington
on the Brandywine. The latest forecast has these points cresting
later today or tonight. With such a large swath of precipitation
expected along and west of the I95 corridor, most basins in this
area will see at least some threat. That said, the Delaware River is
expected to remain within its banks.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
The coastal flooding impacts from Isaias remain very uncertain at
this time. Models notoriously handle fast-moving, intense cyclones
poorly in our area, as the short duration of onshore flow competes
with the strength of the winds. These competing impacts and
sensitivities are not well understood from a modeling standpoint,
leading to rather large spread in the model guidance.

Coastal flooding impacts are expected across the area today, with
four different regions we will be monitoring. The first, and
potentially most significant, is for the eastern shore of Chesapeake
Bay, where surge will likely move northward during the day. What is
unclear, however, is the strength of this surge. Model guidance is
particularly poor for these areas, and the output the past couple of
days seems unrealistically low. However, the extent of impacts
remains quite unclear. At this point, there is potential for
moderate flooding, which requires continuation of the coastal flood
warning. However, it is possible impacts will be less
significant/widespread. We will likely not have a better idea of
impacts until after daybreak, when gauges in lower Chesapeake Bay
begin to respond.

The second area is Delaware Bay. The real question here will be the
timing of the surge relative to the astronomical high tide.
With guidance trending a little faster with the surge, the timing
looks a little less favorable for coincidence of peak surge and
astronomical high tide for the Delaware Bay sites.
Nevertheless, the strength of southeast winds in advance of Isaias
may compensate much more readily than models suggest. A coastal
flood advisory has been issued here for the entire day given the
uncertainty of peak surge timing.

The third area is the tidal Delaware River. Here, confidence is
increasing that minor flooding will occur during the afternoon, as
predecessor southeast winds will likely combine with freshwater
runoff to lead to a period of tidal flooding from early afternoon to
early evening. As with Delaware Bay, confidence is not particularly
high on exact timing of flooding, so have issued a coastal flood
advisory for a broader period of time than normal (11 am to 8 pm).

The fourth area is the Atlantic coast. As with Delaware Bay, timing
of the strongest surge appears to occur between astronomical high
tides. However, the strength of onshore flow and exacerbating
behavior of wave runup will likely produce areas of flooding. Of
particular concern is back bays that are susceptible to southeast
flow, which can act to trap water. Barnegat Bay and Little Assawoman
Bay are particularly susceptible in these regimes, and these areas
may experience more widespread/significant flooding. Confidence is
pretty low in general for the coast, but given the very strong
onshore flow expected today, suspect at least some impacts in the
especially vulnerable spots are likely.

&&

.EQUIPMENT...
The NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards broadcast from Hibernia Park
Pennsylvania (Station WNG-704) remains off the air.

&&

.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for PAZ054-055-060>062-
     070-071-101>106.
     Tropical Storm Warning for PAZ070-071-101>106.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for PAZ070-
     071-106.
NJ...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for NJZ001-007>010-
     012>027.
     Tropical Storm Warning for NJZ001-007>010-012>027.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NJZ016-
     021-023-024.
     High Rip Current Risk through this evening for NJZ014-024>026.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for NJZ012>014-
     020-022-025>027.
     High Surf Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for NJZ014-
     024>026.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for
     NJZ017>019.
DE...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for DEZ001>004.
     Tropical Storm Warning for DEZ001>004.
     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for
     DEZ001>004.
     High Rip Current Risk through this evening for DEZ004.
     High Surf Advisory until midnight EDT tonight for DEZ004.
MD...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for MDZ008-012-015-019-
     020.
     Tropical Storm Warning for MDZ008-012-015-019-020.
     Coastal Flood Warning until 6 AM EDT Wednesday for MDZ008-012-
     015-019-020.
MARINE...Tropical Storm Warning for ANZ430-431-450>455.
&&

Synopsis...Fitzsimmons
Near Term...Fitzsimmons/MPS
Short Term...Fitzsimmons
Long Term...Fitzsimmons/MPS
Aviation...O'Brien
Marine...CMS
Hydrology...WFO PHI
Tides/Coastal Flooding...WFO PHI
Equipment...WFO PHI

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 4, 7:25 AM EDT, 3 hours 25 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

PAZ054-055-060>062-051200-
Carbon-Monroe-Berks-Lehigh-Northampton-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Pennsylvania and
northeast Pennsylvania.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

MDZ008-012-015-019-020-051200-
Cecil-Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 415 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 AM
EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Maryland.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.
   Coastal Flood Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

NJZ001-007>010-015-PAZ101>105-051200-
Sussex-Warren-Morris-Hunterdon-Somerset-Mercer-Western Chester-
Eastern Chester-Western Montgomery-Eastern Montgomery-Upper Bucks-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 416 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New Jersey, northern
New Jersey, northwest New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

NJZ017>019-PAZ070-071-106-051200-
Gloucester-Camden-Northwestern Burlington-Delaware-Philadelphia-
Lower Bucks-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 416 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM
EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern New Jersey and
southeast Pennsylvania.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.
   Coastal Flood Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

DEZ001>003-NJZ016-021-023-051200-
New Castle-Kent-Inland Sussex-Salem-Cumberland-Cape May-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 415 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Delaware, northern
Delaware, southern Delaware and southern New Jersey.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.
   Coastal Flood Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

NJZ012-013-020-022-027-051200-
Middlesex-Western Monmouth-Ocean-Atlantic-Southeastern Burlington-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 416 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 2 AM
EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New Jersey, northern
New Jersey and southern New Jersey.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.
   Coastal Flood Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

NJZ014-025-026-051200-
Eastern Monmouth-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 416 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 2 AM
EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central New Jersey and
southern New Jersey.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.
   High Rip Current Risk.
   High Surf Advisory.
   Coastal Flood Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

DEZ004-NJZ024-051200-
Delaware Beaches-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 415 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southern Delaware and
southern New Jersey.

.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.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.
   Coastal Flood Advisory.
   High Rip Current Risk.
   High Surf Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

ANZ430-431-453>455-051200-
Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE-
Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE-
Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...TORNADO WATCH 415 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT TODAY...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters and
Delaware Bay Waters.

.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.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

ANZ450>452-051200-
Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
725 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...TORNADO WATCH 416 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters.

.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.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to standard operating procedures.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 4, 9:50 AM EDT, 1 hour before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
950 AM EDT TUE AUG 4 2020

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

0858 AM     TORNADO          1 W DOVER               39.16N 75.55W
08/04/2020                   KENT               DE   PUBLIC

            PICTURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWS SNAPPED POWER
            POLES AND SEVERAL LIMBS DOWN ON ROUTE 8 AT
            BENNINGTON STREET IN DOVER. TDS CONFIRMS A
            TORNADO OCCURRED IN THIS AREA, AND THERE ARE
            REPORTS OF DAMAGE FARTHER NORTH AS WELL.
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

STAARMANN

Local storm report, Aug 4, 9:54 AM EDT, 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
954 AM EDT TUE AUG 4 2020

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

0951 AM     TORNADO          STRATHMERE              39.20N 74.66W
08/04/2020                   CAPE MAY           NJ   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER REPORTS A TORNADO ON THE GROUND WITH
            DEBRIS IN THE AIR IN STATHMERE CROSSING
            ROUTE 50.

&&

STAARMANN

Local storm report, Aug 4, 9:57 AM EDT, 53 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
957 AM EDT TUE AUG 4 2020

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

0909 AM     TORNADO          SMYRNA                  39.30N 75.61W
08/04/2020                   KENT               DE   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTS DAMAGE FROM A
            TORNADO ALONG ROUTE 13 IN SYMRNA. TDS
            CONFIRMED TORNADO. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
            RADAR.

&&

STAARMANN

Local storm report, Aug 4, 10:00 AM EDT, 50 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1000 AM EDT TUE AUG 4 2020

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

0909 AM     TORNADO          SMYRNA                  39.30N 75.61W
08/04/2020                   KENT               DE   EMERGENCY MNGR

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM
            SMYRNA. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTS DAMAGE
            FROM A TORNADO ALONG ROUTE 13 IN SYMRNA. TDS
            CONFIRMED TORNADO. A NEARBY DOT WIND SENSOR
            RECORDED A WIND GUST OF 96 MPH. TIME
            ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

STAARMANN

Local storm report, Aug 4, 10:31 AM EDT, 19 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1031 AM EDT TUE AUG 4 2020

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

1026 AM     TROPICAL STORM   4 ESE MYSTIC ISLAND     39.52N 74.32W
08/04/2020                   OCEAN              NJ   MESONET

            44 MPH SUSTAINED WIND AT TUCKERTON WXFLOW
            SITE.

&&

MPS

Local storm report, Aug 4, 10:34 AM EDT, 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1034 AM EDT TUE AUG 4 2020

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

1030 AM     TROPICAL STORM   2 SE PLEASANTVILLE      39.38N 74.50W
08/04/2020                   ATLANTIC           NJ   MESONET

            41 MPH SUSTAINED WIND AT PT POINT WXFLOW
            SITE.

&&

MPS

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), 12:00Z

2.8 hours before the tornado, 176 km from the path. August 4, 2020.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 1593 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -3 J/kg
Surface CAPE: 1961 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 570 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 53 kt
0-1 km bulk shear: 20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 150 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 245 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 1.5
Supercell composite: 7.4
0-3 km lapse rate: 5.6 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), 00:00Z

9.2 hours after it, 176 km from the path. August 5, 2020.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.

Hodograph

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -69280 J/kg
Surface CAPE: 1 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 942 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 45 kt
0-1 km bulk shear: 38 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 205 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 251 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0
0-3 km lapse rate: 4.4 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The radar

The Philadelphia radar (KDIX), 37 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 14:50 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)	Report	Where	County	Remark
13:24 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	2 Nne Strathmere	Cape May, NJ	39 MPH SUSTAINED WIND AT OCEAN CITY SOUTH BEACH WXFLOW SITE.
14:17 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 W Somers Point	Atlantic, NJ	DOWNED TREE ON U.S. HIGHWAY 9 NEAR MAYS LANDING ROAD IN SOMERS POINT. TIME BASED ON DISPATCH REPORT.
14:26 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	4 Ese Mystic Island	Ocean, NJ	44 MPH SUSTAINED WIND AT TUCKERTON WXFLOW SITE.
14:30 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	2 Se Pleasantville	Atlantic, NJ	41 MPH SUSTAINED WIND AT PT POINT WXFLOW SITE.
14:54 UTC	TORNADO	3 Wnw Surf City	Ocean, NJ	AN EF1 WATERSPOUT AND TORNADO OCCURRED IN MANAHAWKIN BAY BETWEEN SHIP BOTTOM AND BRANT BEACH. IT CROSSED OVER THE ROUTE 72 BRIDGE VIA VIDEO WHICH ALSO SHOWED SOME LIGHT DEBRIS IN THE AIR BEFORE COMING ASHORE IN A MARSHY
15:00 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Ocean City	Cape May, NJ	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TROPICAL STORM REPORT FROM 1 NW JACKSONVILLE. VIDEO SHOWING A ROOF BEING BLOWN OFF OF A HOUSE IN OCEAN CITY. EXACT TIME UNKNOWN.
15:06 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Atlantic City Internati	Atlantic, NJ	ASOS REPORTS 40 MPH SUSTAINED WINDS WITH 66 MPH GUSTS.
15:10 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Waterford Works	Camden, NJ	DOWNED TREE ON U.S. HIGHWAY 30 WESTBOUND WEST OF WATERFORD-BLUE ANCHOR ROAD IN WINSLOW TWP. TIME BASED ON DISPATCH REPORT.
15:15 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 Ne Hamilton Twp	Atlantic, NJ	DOWNED POLE AND WIRES ON U.S. HIGHWAY 322 WESTBOUND AT U.S. HIGHWAY 50 IN HAMILTON TWP. TIME BASED ON DISPATCH REPORT.
15:15 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 W Jackson	Ocean, NJ	TREE INTO POWER LINES IN JACKSON TOWNSHIP ON N.COOK BRIDGE ROAD.
15:35 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	2 Sw Egg Harbor City	Atlantic, NJ	DOWNED TREE ON STATE HIGHWAY 50 NORTHBOUND NEAR ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY. TIME BASED ON DISPATCH REPORT.
15:50 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 Ese Lumberton	Burlington, NJ	SUSTAINED WIND OF 45 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH.
15:54 UTC	HEAVY RAIN 2.08	2 Nnw Medford Twp.	Burlington, NJ	ASOS STATION KVAY MOUNT HOLLY.
16:00 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Pemberton	Burlington, NJ	TREES DOWN IN PEMBERTON.
16:00 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Upper Freehold Twp	Monmouth, NJ	41 MPH SUSTAINED WIND. RUTGERS FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL RESEARCH EXTENSION CENTER.
16:00 UTC	HEAVY RAIN 2.32	Medford Twp.	Burlington, NJ	MESONET STATION MEDN4 MEDFORD TWP.
16:01 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	2 Ne Ramtown	Monmouth, NJ	DOWNED TREE ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR EXIT 98. TIME BASED ON DISPATCH REPORT.
16:33 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Howell	Monmouth, NJ	NUMEROUS TREES AND LIMBS DOWN AROUND HOWELL. TRANSFORMERS BLOWING NEARBY.
16:45 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Medford Twp.	Burlington, NJ	TREE UPROOTED NEAR MEDFORD-MOUNT HOLLY RD AND TURTLE CREEK DRIVE IN MEDFORD, NJ.
16:50 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 Sse Toms River	Ocean, NJ	TREES DOWN NEAR BEACHWOOD BLVD AND ROUTE 9 IN BEACHWOOD.
16:50 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Bayville	Ocean, NJ	TREES DOWN NEAR CHAIN BLVD AND ROUTE 9 IN BAYVILLE.
17:00 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 Ene Absecon	Atlantic, NJ	MULTIPLE TREES DOWN IN THE ABSECON AREA, SEVERAL DOWN ON CARS AND HOUSES.
17:00 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Toms River	Ocean, NJ	PATIO DAMAGE NEAR TOMS RIVER.
17:00 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	Toms River	Ocean, NJ	PATIO DAMAGE NEAR TOMS RIVER. TREES AND WIRES DOWN AS WELL.
17:20 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	3 Ne Brigantine	Atlantic, NJ	VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF SUSTAINED WINDS OF 50-60 MPH BEING MEASURED ON A HANDHELD ANEMOMETER.
17:42 UTC	COASTAL FLOOD	2 Ese Pleasantville	Atlantic, NJ	TIDAL FLOODING CLOSED U.S. HIGHWAY 40 NEAR THE ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY. TIME BASED ON DISPATCH REPORT.
17:44 UTC	TROPICAL STORM	1 E Toms River	Ocean, NJ	LARGE TREE UPROOTED ON GOLD AVE IN TOMS RIVER.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the track Every 2020 tornado in New Jersey Every tornado in New Jersey since 1950 Warnings in force in New Jersey now The forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of August 4, 2020

30 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

Date	Time	Rating	Where	Path (mi)	Width (yd)	Injuries	Damage
August 4	2:11 AM EDT	EF0	Hertford, NC	5.0	100		$20,000
August 4	2:37 AM EDT	EF0	Hertford, NC	3.0	50		$20,000
August 4	2:49 AM EDT	EF2	Southampton, VA	15.9	200		$8.0 million
August 4	2:54 AM EDT	EF1	City of Suffolk, VA	21.0	150		$4.0 million
August 4	3:08 AM EDT	EF0	City of Suffolk, VA	11.7	100		$10,000
August 4	4:13 AM EDT	EF1	James City, VA	0.8	200		$100,000
August 4	4:53 AM EDT	EF1	Gloucester, VA	4.7	250		$100,000
August 4	5:40 AM EDT	EF2	Lancaster, VA	15.6	500	5	$3.0 million
August 4	5:55 AM EDT	EF2	Wicomico, MD	1.3	150		$230,000
August 4	6:06 AM EDT	EF1	Northumberland, VA	2.2	100		$626,000
August 4	6:27 AM EDT	EF0	Saint Mary's, MD	1.5	75
August 4	6:32 AM EDT	EF0	Saint Mary's, MD	5.2	100
August 4	6:52 AM EDT	EF0	Calvert, MD	0.8	175		$250,000
August 4	7:14 AM EDT	EF2	Worcester, MD	3.8	200		$150,000
August 4	7:22 AM EDT	EF0	Wicomico, MD	2.7	100		$50,000
August 4	7:33 AM EDT	EF1	Calvert, MD	3.0	100
August 4	7:35 AM EDT	EF0	Worcester, MD	8.0	75		$15,000
August 4	7:55 AM EDT	EF0	Worcester, MD	9.6	75		$20,000
August 4	8:18 AM EDT	EF0	Queen Anne's, MD	0.7	35
August 4	8:25 AM EDT	EF1	Kent, DE	3.0	200
August 4	8:25 AM EDT	EF1	Kent, DE	2.1	400
August 4	8:55 AM EDT	EF2	Kent, DE	35.8	500
August 4	9:45 AM EDT	EF1	Cape May, NJ	4.2	150
August 4	10:44 AM EDT	EF0	Montgomery, PA	3.1	200
August 4	10:50 AM EDT	EF2	Philadelphia, PA	20.8	500	18
August 4	1:40 PM EDT	EF0	Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT	0.0	25		$15,000
August 4	6:29 PM CDT	EF0	Tripp, SD	0.0	10
August 4	6:39 PM CDT	EF0	Tripp, SD	0.0	10
August 4	7:38 PM CDT	Unrated	Mountrail, ND	4.4	100
August 4	7:56 PM MDT	EF0	Lincoln, CO	0.0	50

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.