Severe Thunderstorms Batter Pennsylvania with 60 MPH Winds, Quarter-Size Hail
Dangerous storms with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail swept across Pennsylvania Tuesday evening, prompting multiple warnings as severe weather threatened communities statewide.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — Severe thunderstorms swept across Pennsylvania on April 15, prompting warnings from the National Weather Service as dangerous winds and hail affected communities from the northern counties to the southern border.
The storms, with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, moved through the state between 5:10 PM and 8:30 PM EDT, according to warnings issued by the National Weather Service offices in State College, Pennsylvania, and Binghamton, New York.
Multiple Counties Under Threat
The weather system affected numerous Pennsylvania counties as it tracked eastward at speeds ranging from 30 to 45 mph. The National Weather Service in State College issued warnings for McKean County, Potter County, Tioga County, Bedford County, Franklin County, Fulton County, Blair County, Cambria County, Somerset County, and Schuylkill County.
Warnings also covered portions of Bradford County in northeastern Pennsylvania, with the Binghamton office monitoring storms extending into central New York counties including Chemung and Steuben.
Specific Communities Impacted
The storms threatened multiple population centers across the state. In northern Pennsylvania, locations impacted included Bradford, Port Allegany, Smethport, Shinglehouse, Rew, Coryville, Cyclone, Marshburg, Westline, Eldred, Lewis Run, and Oswayo, according to National Weather Service reports.
Central Pennsylvania communities in the storm’s path included Wellsboro, Morris, Coudersport, Roulette, Galeton, Shinglehouse, Westfield, Gaines, Keeneyville, Harrison Valley, Leonard Harrison State Park, and Denton Hill State Park.
Southern regions saw warnings for Bedford, Breezewood, Clearville, Everett, Mercersburg, McConnellsburg, Harrisonville, Fort Loudon, Buffalo Mills, Big Cove Tannery, Crystal Springs, and Wells Tannery.
Tornado Concerns and Radar Observations
Weather officials noted concerning developments within some storm cells. “Radar has indicated rotation within this severe thunderstorm. Although a tornado is not immediately likely, tornadoes can develop quickly during severe thunderstorms,” the National Weather Service warned for storms affecting Warren County and later Potter and Tioga counties.
The warnings emphasized the potential for significant damage. “Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees,” forecasters stated across multiple alerts.
Interstate travel was affected, with warnings specifically mentioning Interstate 70 from mile markers 147 to 160, the Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 137 and 183 and from mile markers 187 to 188, Interstate 99 from mile markers 0 to 6, and Interstate 81 from mile markers 133 to 139.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch had been issued earlier on April 14 at 2:51 PM EDT, remaining in effect until 10:00 PM EDT that evening, covering 16 counties in central New York and 3 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wayne counties.
