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A long-lived supercell thunderstorm traversed Central PA from northwest to southeast through the afternoon and evening hours of June 16th, 2022. The storm made widespread wind damage and possibly one tornado. There has been a storm damage survey completed for an area of concentrated damage in southern Juniata County and northern Perry County, PA. That damage was determined to be straight-line wind damage, and not a tornado. A second area of widespread damage across Warren and Elk Counties was investigated with help from drone footage from Elk County Emergency Management, and on-site images and descriptions provided by our partners at the PA DCNR (State Forestry) and the USDA (Allegheny National Forestry). All of the damage which was seen was determined to be caused by straight-line (downburst) wind gusts. Here are some details and radar loops of the storm as it passed through Elk County, and again as it went through Juniata and Perry Counties. |
Juniata/Perry Counties:
Summary:
Public Information Statement National Weather Service State College PA 1211 PM EDT Sat Jun 18 2022 ...NWS Damage Survey for 06/16/22 Thunderstorm Wind Event in Juniata and Perry Counties... .Juniata County Downburst Winds... Estimated Peak Wind: 100-110 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.3 miles Path Width /maximum/: 65 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/16/2022 Start Time: 08:20 PM EDT Start Location: 2.3 miles northeast of Mexico Start Lat/Lon: 40.5449 / -77.309 End Date: 06/16/2022 End Time: 08:22 PM EDT End Location: 3 miles east/southeast of Mexico End Lat/Lon: 40.5299 / -77.2972 A long-lived thunderstorm intensified as it moved east of Mexico. The strongest downburst winds associated with the storm occurred at the Centre Lutheran Church where the roof of the church was peeled off from the north. A metal cross on the church`s steeple was also destroyed, while a pine tree adjacent to the church had a piece of its trunk snapped off. The storm then continued southeast across the Juniata River, producing tree damage near the PFBC Vandyke Hatchery. Additional tree damage was then found farther southwest along Highway 333 immediately southeast of Mexico and east of Port Royal, associated with the rear flank downdraft of the storm. .Perry County Thunderstorm Wind Damage... As the above mentioned storm continued southeast across Perry County, sporadic tree damage occurred west/southwest of Newport along Gill Hill Road and near Little Buffalo State Park around 8:40 p.m. EDT. Fallen trees here suggest downburst winds on the order of 70-80 mph. NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. |
Radar Loops:
Elk County:
UPDATE: Investigation completed.
Many agencies cooperated with the NWS on this investigation, and we tank them for their help. The data, including aerial/drone footage in addition to on-site visual inspection descriptions, have allowed us to determine that all of the damage seems to have been due to straight-line (downburst) wind gusts..
...NWS Damage Survey for 06/16/22 Thunderstorm Wind Event Elk County... .Elk County Downburst Winds... Estimated Peak Wind: 90-100 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.9 miles Path Width/maximum/: 450 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/16/2022 Start Time: 05:23 PM EDT Start Location: 2.4 miles northeast of Weedville Start Lat/Lon: 41.3105 / -78.4681 End Date: 06/16/2022 End Time: 05:25 PM EDT End Location: 2.8 miles west of Benezette End Lat/Lon: 41.3117 / -78.4338 A long-lived thunderstorm intensified as it moved across southeast Elk County, resulting in numerous reports of downed trees. The strongest downburst winds associated with the storm occurred in a largely forested area along Mt Zion Road between the towns of Weedville and Benezette. Hundreds of downed or snapped trees were observed in this area.
Radar Images: