Overview
A potent upper-level trough swept east across the Upper Great Lakes, extending a cold front east through the area. Thunderstorms developed along a pre-frontal trough ahead of the cold front Thursday afternoon across portions of Michigan and Indiana, and continued southeastward across northern OH and Northwest Pennsylvania into the evening hours. The environment was favorable for severe weather, particularly damaging wind gusts and large hail, and was characterized by steep mid-level lapse rates greater than 7 C/km, strong instability greater than 2000 J/kg, and modest bulk shear of 35 to 40 knots. Significant hail (2 inches in diameter in Westlake, OH and Corry, PA) and wind gusts (81 mph wind gust at Fairport Harbor, OH) were reported during the course of the event, resulting in numerous storm damage reports across the area. Several storms exhibited strong rotation on radar, resulting in 4 tornado warnings during the course of the event. Torrential rainfall also accompanied severe thunderstorms, leading to pockets of rate-driven flash flooding, especially within the Cleveland Metro area. |
GOES-16 "sandwich" satellite product (visible and infrared) with the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) flash extent density overlaid. This loop is from 2 PM to 11 PM on July 20, 2023. |
Photos & Video
Quarter-sized hail from Avon, OH. (Trent Magill) |
Large hail stones 2 inches or greater in Corry, PA. (Karalee Kemp) |
Large hail stone around 2 inches in Corry, PA. (Mary Beth Otteni Brown) |
Large hail stone around 2 inches in Corry, PA. (Mallory Whiteley) |
Storms rolling in off of Lake Erie into Fairport Harbor, OH. (Aprell Burkey) |
Shelf cloud picture from Medina, OH. (James Guilford) |
Shelf cloud picture from Austintown, OH. (Bill Bartholomew) |
Storm clouds rolling through Willoughby, OH. (Tom Allman) |
Uprooted tree in Chagrin Falls, OH. (Melissa Keenan) |
Storm damage in Macedonia, OH. (Brett Hanna) |
Street flooding in Brookpark, OH. (Chuck Madison) |
Hail accumulating on a roadway in Waterford, PA. (Larry Klick) |
Radar
Radar loop from 3:40 PM to 9:40 PM EDT on July 20, 2023. |
Storm Reports
Storm report map from July 20, 2023. |
736 NOUS41 KCLE 211004 PNSCLE OHZ003-006>014-017>023-027>033-036>038-047-089-PAZ001>003-212204- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Cleveland OH 604 AM EDT Fri Jul 21 2023 ...HAIL REPORTS... Location Size Time/Date Lat/Lon Corry 2.00 in 0630 PM 07/20 41.93N/79.64W Westlake 2.00 in 0705 PM 07/20 41.45N/81.93W 1 W Parma 1.75 in 0718 PM 07/20 41.38N/81.75W 3 S Mckean 1.50 in 0554 PM 07/20 41.96N/80.14W 1 SSE Brooklyn 1.50 in 0720 PM 07/20 41.41N/81.74W Seven Hills 1.50 in 0725 PM 07/20 41.39N/81.68W Seven Hills 1.50 in 0745 PM 07/20 41.38N/81.68W 7 NNE Oak Harbor 1.25 in 0540 PM 07/20 41.61N/83.11W 1 WSW Bedford 1.25 in 0740 PM 07/20 41.39N/81.56W Erie 1.00 in 0139 PM 07/20 42.13N/80.08W 3 NNW Erie 1.00 in 0145 PM 07/20 42.17N/80.11W 1 ENE Girard 1.00 in 0510 PM 07/20 42.01N/80.30W 1 W Union City 1.00 in 0605 PM 07/20 41.90N/79.86W Elgin 1.00 in 0615 PM 07/20 41.90N/79.74W 7 NNE Oak Harbor 1.00 in 0539 PM 07/20 41.61N/83.11W Avon 1.00 in 0656 PM 07/20 41.45N/82.02W 1 WNW North Olmsted 1.00 in 0704 PM 07/20 41.42N/81.94W 1 NW Westlake 1.00 in 0705 PM 07/20 41.47N/81.94W Brooklyn Heights 1.00 in 0726 PM 07/20 41.41N/81.66W 1 ESE Parma 1.00 in 0740 PM 07/20 41.37N/81.71W 1 SE Parma 1.00 in 0749 PM 07/20 41.37N/81.71W Girard 0.88 in 0510 PM 07/20 42.00N/80.32W 3 SW Erie 0.50 in 0433 PM 07/20 42.10N/80.13W ...HIGHEST WIND REPORTS... Location Speed Time/Date Lat/Lon Fairport, OH 81 MPH 0630 PM 07/20 41.76N/81.28W Fairport, OH 65 MPH 0618 PM 07/20 41.76N/81.28W Toledo 59 MPH 0618 PM 07/20 41.57N/83.48W Cleveland - Edgewater 58 MPH 0718 PM 07/20 41.50N/81.73W Fairport, OH 56 MPH 0606 PM 07/20 41.76N/81.28W Cleveland 56 MPH 0648 PM 07/20 41.52N/81.68W Conneaut Light 56 MPH 0623 PM 07/20 41.98N/80.56W 9 NE Port Clinton 51 MPH 0600 PM 07/20 41.63N/82.84W Youngstown 49 MPH 0749 PM 07/20 41.25N/80.67W 4 NNE Lakewood 47 MPH 0700 PM 07/20 41.55N/81.77W 13 NNW Bratenahl 45 MPH 0600 PM 07/20 41.73N/81.69W ...PRECIPITATION REPORTS... Location Amount Time/Date Lat/Lon 1 SSW Seven Hills 3.00 in 0809 PM 07/20 41.36N/81.68W && **METADATA** :7/20/2023,0809 PM, OH, Cuyahoga, 1 SSW Seven Hills, , , 41.3617, -81.6847, RAIN_24, 3, Inch, Trained Spotter, 24 hour rainfall, :7/20/2023,0648 PM, OH, Cuyahoga, Cleveland, , , 41.52, -81.68, PKGUST, 56, mph, ASOS, Peak Wind Gust, :7/20/2023,0606 PM, OH, Lake, Fairport, OH, , , 41.7598, -81.2811, PKGUST, 56, mph, NOS-NWLON, Peak Wind Gust, :7/20/2023,0618 PM, OH, Lake, Fairport, OH, , , 41.7598, -81.2811, PKGUST, 65, mph, NOS-NWLON, Peak Wind Gust, :7/20/2023,0630 PM, OH, Lake, Fairport, OH, , , 41.7598, -81.2811, PKGUST, 81, mph, NOS-NWLON, Peak Wind Gust, :7/20/2023,0600 PM, OH, Ottawa, 9 NE Port Clinton, , , 41.629, -82.841, PKGUST, 51, mph, NDBC, Peak Wind Gust, :7/20/2023,0749 PM, OH, Trumbull, Youngstown, , , 41.25, -80.6667, PKGUST, 49, mph, ASOS, Peak Wind Gust, :7/20/2023,0618 PM, OH, Wood, Toledo, , , 41.5667, -83.4833, PKGUST, 59, mph, ASOS, Peak Wind Gust, Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official. $$
476 NWUS51 KCLE 220251 LSRCLE Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary National Weather Service Cleveland OH 1051 PM EDT Fri Jul 21 2023 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0139 PM Hail Erie 42.13N 80.08W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Erie PA Public Various hail sizes from penny to quarter size. 0143 PM Hail 3 E Erie 42.15N 80.03W 07/20/2023 E1.25 inch Erie PA Public -Delayed report- Video and photos of hail approximately the size of half dollars 3 miles east of downtown Erie. 0145 PM Hail 3 NNW Erie 42.17N 80.11W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Erie PA NWS Employee Quarter Hail at Presque Isle State Park. 0146 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Erie 42.15N 80.03W 07/20/2023 Erie PA Public -Delayed report- Multiple large trees downed across road 3 miles east of downtown Erie. 0433 PM Hail 3 SW Erie 42.10N 80.13W 07/20/2023 E0.50 inch Erie PA NWS Employee Estimated half inch hail at Pittsburgh Ave and W 26th Street in Erie. Time estimated via radar. 0510 PM Hail Girard 42.00N 80.32W 07/20/2023 E0.88 inch Erie PA Trained Spotter 0510 PM Hail 1 ENE Girard 42.01N 80.30W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Erie PA Public Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). 0539 PM Hail 7 NNE Oak Harbor 41.61N 83.11W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Ottawa OH Public Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.) hail. 0540 PM Hail 7 NNE Oak Harbor 41.61N 83.11W 07/20/2023 E1.25 inch Ottawa OH Public Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.) hail. 0545 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 WNW Marblehead 41.59N 82.84W 07/20/2023 Ottawa OH Public 30 foot tall tree down on a house at Catawba Point. 0554 PM Hail 3 S Mckean 41.96N 80.14W 07/20/2023 E1.50 inch Erie PA Public 0600 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 9 NW Marblehead 41.63N 82.84W 07/20/2023 M51 MPH Ottawa OH Mesonet Mesonet station SBIO1 9 NE Port Clinton. 0600 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 13 NNW Bratenahl 41.73N 81.69W 07/20/2023 M45 MPH LEZ166 OH Mesonet Mesonet station 45164 13 NNW Bratenahl. 0605 PM Hail 1 W Union City 41.90N 79.86W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Erie PA 911 Call Center 0606 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Fairport Harbor 41.76N 81.28W 07/20/2023 M56 MPH Lake OH Buoy Buoy station FAIO1 Fairport, OH. 0615 PM Hail Elgin 41.90N 79.74W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Erie PA Trained Spotter Hail damaged some vehicles and also tore off window screens. 0617 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Stony Ridge 41.51N 83.51W 07/20/2023 Wood OH 911 Call Center Tree limb and power line downed. Time estimated via radar. 0617 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mentor-on-the-Lake 41.72N 81.36W 07/20/2023 Lake OH NWS Employee -Delayed Report- Numerous reports from a retired NWS employee, broadcast meteorologist, and the public of widespread, extensive tree and power-line damage in Mentor-on-the-Lake. Outdoor structures were damaged at Mentor Lagoons and some trees fell on houses. 0618 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Walbridge 41.57N 83.48W 07/20/2023 M59 MPH Wood OH ASOS ASOS station KTDZ Toledo. 0618 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mentor 41.70N 81.33W 07/20/2023 Lake OH Public -Delayed Report- Two pictures received on social media of a tree and large limb downed on cars in separate residential driveways in Mentor. 0618 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Fairport Harbor 41.76N 81.28W 07/20/2023 M65 MPH Lake OH Buoy Buoy station FAIO1 Fairport, OH. 0618 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Mentor-on-the-Lake 41.72N 81.36W 07/20/2023 Lake OH Public Power pole snapped and hit a car, large tree branch on wires near the yacht club and large tree uprooted. 0623 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NNE Conneaut 41.98N 80.56W 07/20/2023 M56 MPH LEZ149 OH Mesonet Mesonet station XCON Conneaut Light. 0627 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Fairport Harbor 41.76N 81.28W 07/20/2023 Lake OH Public -Delayed Report- Siding partially peeled off the second story of a house in Fairport Harbor. 0627 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Fairport Harbor 41.76N 81.28W 07/20/2023 Lake OH Public Widespread tree damage in Fairport Harbor. Time estimated via radar. 0628 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Painesville 41.72N 81.25W 07/20/2023 Lake OH Public -Delayed Report- Tree limbs downed in Painesville. 0630 PM Hail Corry 41.93N 79.64W 07/20/2023 M2.00 inch Erie PA Public North side of Corry, PA. 0630 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Fairport Harbor 41.76N 81.28W 07/20/2023 M81 MPH Lake OH Buoy Buoy station FAIO1 Fairport, OH. 0631 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Lorain 41.45N 82.18W 07/20/2023 Lorain OH 911 Call Center Tree down on house. Time estimated from radar. 0632 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Conneaut 41.94N 80.56W 07/20/2023 Ashtabula OH Public -Delayed Report- Multiple large limbs and trees down in Conneaut, some onto roadways. 0648 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Cleveland 41.52N 81.68W 07/20/2023 M56 MPH Cuyahoga OH ASOS ASOS station KBKL Cleveland. 0650 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Jenera 40.90N 83.72W 07/20/2023 Hancock OH Public -Delayed Report- A few tree limbs downed. 0652 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Avon 41.45N 81.99W 07/20/2023 Lorain OH Trained Spotter Two trees down on a house. Time estimated from radar. 0656 PM Hail Avon 41.45N 82.02W 07/20/2023 M1.00 inch Lorain OH Broadcast Media 0700 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 NNE Lakewood 41.55N 81.77W 07/20/2023 M47 MPH LEZ146 OH Mesonet Mesonet station 45176 4 NNE Lakewood. 0704 PM Hail 1 WNW North Olmsted 41.42N 81.94W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Cuyahoga OH Public Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.) hail. 0705 PM Hail 1 NW Westlake 41.47N 81.94W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Cuyahoga OH Public Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.) hail. 0705 PM Hail Westlake 41.45N 81.93W 07/20/2023 E2.00 inch Cuyahoga OH Public 0705 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg North Olmsted 41.41N 81.92W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public Two trees down in North Olmsted. 0709 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Vanlue 40.97N 83.48W 07/20/2023 Hancock OH Public -Delayed Report- Top of maple tree fell across roadway. Limb also downed on neighboring property. 0711 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNE Lakewood 41.49N 81.80W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public Large tree branch snapped at Lakewood Park. 0712 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Conneautville 41.76N 80.37W 07/20/2023 Crawford PA Public Multiple trees and wires down in the Conneautville, Venango, and Cambridge Springs areas. 0716 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 WSW Burton 41.44N 81.21W 07/20/2023 Geauga OH Public -Delayed Report- Tree downed across state route 44. 0717 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Fairview Park 41.45N 81.82W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public -Delayed Report- Tree downed. Minor street flooding also noted. 0718 PM Hail 1 W Parma 41.38N 81.75W 07/20/2023 E1.75 inch Cuyahoga OH Public quarter to golf ball-sized hail in Parma and Parma Heights. 0718 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WNW Cleveland 41.50N 81.73W 07/20/2023 M58 MPH LEZ146 OH Mesonet Mesonet station XCLE Cleveland - Edgewater. 0720 PM Hail 1 SSE Brooklyn 41.41N 81.74W 07/20/2023 E1.50 inch Cuyahoga OH NWS Employee Retired NWS employee reports 1 and a half inch hail in Parma. 0720 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNE Parma 41.40N 81.72W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Broadcast Media Large tree branch on West 54th. 0722 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 ENE Aurora 41.32N 81.28W 07/20/2023 Portage OH Public Large tree limb down 4 miles northwest of Mantua. Time estimated via radar. 0724 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Berea 41.37N 81.85W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public -Delayed Report- Photos received via social media of large limbs and one large tree downed, with the tree falling on a road. Minor street flooding also noted. 0725 PM Hail Seven Hills 41.39N 81.68W 07/20/2023 E1.50 inch Cuyahoga OH Public 1.5 inch hail. 0726 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Chagrin Falls 41.43N 81.40W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public -Delayed Report- Tree uprooted. 0726 PM Hail Brooklyn Heights 41.41N 81.66W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Cuyahoga OH NWS Employee Nickel to quarter sized hail at NWS Cleveland office. 0727 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE New Riegel 41.03N 83.29W 07/20/2023 Seneca OH 911 Call Center Tree downed. Time estimated via radar. 0736 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Maple Heights 41.41N 81.57W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public -Delayed Report- Large portion of tree downed in Maple Heights. 0736 PM Flood 1 SE Brooklyn 41.42N 81.73W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Amateur Radio Ramps on Interstate 480 at Ridge Rd flooded and inaccessible. 0740 PM Hail 1 ESE Parma 41.37N 81.71W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Cuyahoga OH NWS Employee Corrects previous hail report from 1 ESE Parma. 0740 PM Hail 1 WSW Bedford 41.39N 81.56W 07/20/2023 E1.25 inch Cuyahoga OH Public Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). 0741 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg New London 41.09N 82.40W 07/20/2023 Huron OH Emergency Mngr A few downed trees and power outages reported in the New London area. Time estimated via radar. 0745 PM Hail Seven Hills 41.38N 81.68W 07/20/2023 E1.50 inch Cuyahoga OH Public Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.). 0749 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Vienna 41.25N 80.67W 07/20/2023 M49 MPH Trumbull OH ASOS ASOS station KYNG Youngstown. 0749 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Bloomville 41.05N 83.01W 07/20/2023 Seneca OH 911 Call Center Two trees downed across road near Bloomville. Time estimated via radar. 0749 PM Hail 1 ESE Parma 41.37N 81.71W 07/20/2023 E1.00 inch Cuyahoga OH NWS Employee . 0750 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Howland Center 41.24N 80.73W 07/20/2023 Trumbull OH Law Enforcement Reports of several trees down across Howland Township. 0750 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Macedonia 41.32N 81.50W 07/20/2023 Summit OH Public -Delayed Report- Multiple photos received via social media of large limbs and a tree down in Macedonia...the tree landed on a deck and pool. 0750 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Macedonia 41.33N 81.49W 07/20/2023 Summit OH Public Tree down onto Park Ledge Drive. 0750 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Brunswick 41.24N 81.82W 07/20/2023 Medina OH 911 Call Center Tree downed onto road in Brunswick. Time estimated via radar. 0755 PM Flood North Royalton 41.31N 81.75W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public Basement flooding in North Royalton, Large areas of 4 inch deep standing water in backyards. 0758 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 E Medina 41.13N 81.78W 07/20/2023 Medina OH Public Tree down on Boneta Rd between Route 18 and Ridgewood. 0759 PM Flash Flood 1 SSW Lakewood 41.47N 81.81W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public delayed report - Interstate 90 at McKinley Ave under one to two feet of water. 0800 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Churchill 41.17N 80.65W 07/20/2023 Trumbull OH Law Enforcement Several trees/wires down across Liberty Township. 0800 PM Flood Northfield 41.34N 81.53W 07/20/2023 Summit OH Public Vehicle inundated/stuck in flood water, Route 8 closed. 0800 PM Flood North Royalton 41.31N 81.75W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public Several inches of flowing water across the intersection of S Gateway and N Akins. 0802 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Montrose-Ghent 41.16N 81.59W 07/20/2023 Summit OH Public Tree down on Yellow Creek Rd near Sand Run Rd. 0807 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 ENE Savannah 40.99N 82.31W 07/20/2023 Ashland OH 911 Call Center A few trees and wires downed onto roadways between Nova and Nankin. Time estimated via radar. 0807 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 ENE Savannah 40.98N 82.29W 07/20/2023 Ashland OH 911 Call Center A few trees and wires downed onto roadways between Nova and Nankin. Time estimated via radar. 0809 PM Rain 1 SSW Seven Hills 41.36N 81.68W 07/20/2023 E3.00 inch Cuyahoga OH Trained Spotter 3 inches of rain in an hour. 0821 PM Flood 2 ESE Lakewood 41.47N 81.77W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 ESE Lakewood. Three cars submerged in water at W117 and Berea Rd. 0826 PM Flood 1 N Brook Park 41.42N 81.83W 07/20/2023 Cuyahoga OH Public Cars inundated by water, required assistance from CLE Hopkins ARFF. 0838 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNW Wooster 40.86N 81.95W 07/20/2023 Wayne OH 911 Call Center Tree limb downed onto road in the Mechanicsburg/Wayne Twp area. A few other wires reported downed in the county. Time estimated via radar. 0840 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SSW Portage Lakes 40.95N 81.55W 07/20/2023 Summit OH Public several trees down and blocking roads in New Franklin. 0855 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Massillon 40.79N 81.52W 07/20/2023 Stark OH Public -Delayed Report- Large tree snapped. 0900 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mount Vernon 40.40N 82.48W 07/20/2023 Knox OH 911 Call Center Scattered tree damage across Knox County, especially western and southwestern portions of the county. Time estimated via radar. 0902 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E North Canton 40.87N 81.33W 07/20/2023 Stark OH Law Enforcement Fallen tree onto roof of house. 0915 PM Flood 1 E Akron 41.08N 81.50W 07/20/2023 Summit OH Public -Delayed Report- Street flooding in downtown Akron and east Akron. Standing water was too deep for cars to drive through in at least one spot. && $$
Environment
Figure 1: WPC surface analysis loop from 2 PM to 11 PM EDT on July 20, 2023. | Figure 2: SPC 9 AM convective outlook, outlining a portion of the Lower Great Lakes in an enhanced risk for severe storms (level 3 out of 5). |
Near-storm environment via SPC mesoscale analysis archive page
Figure 3: Mixed-layer CAPE from 5 PM on July 20, 2023. Note the ribbon of moderate to strong instability present (2500 to 3000 J/kg) across the Lower Great Lakes. | Figure 4: Effective bulk shear from 5 PM on July 20, 2023. Values of 35 to 40 knots were observed, which is supportive of organized severe weather. | Figure 5: Supercell composite parameter (SCP) from 5 PM on July 20, 2023. SCP combines several different variables including instability and shear. | Figure 6: Mid-level lapse rates from 5 PM on July 20, 2023. Values of 6.5 to 7.5 C/km, which supports strong instability and thus strong updrafts in storms. Mid-level lapse rates this high for the area is uncommon. |
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