The extremely dangerous heat wave continues across the East Coast and much of the South-Central U.S. today. Record high temperatures are expected for some areas especially across the Mid-Atlantic where extreme heat risk conditions reside. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms today for the northern Mid-Atlantic into portions of southern New England. Read More >
Overview
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Severe storms developed during the afternoon of 28 May 2019 in western and central Pennsylvania, in a warm sector characterized by MLCAPE 1500-2500+ J/kg, effective bulk shear of 40-50+ kts, and low-level helicity 150+ J/kg. The combination of these ingredients is rare in this region, and quite favorable for supercells capable of producing very large hail, wind damage, and tornadoes. Aided by weak midlevel perturbations providing large-scale lift in the Mid-Atlantic and a warm front draped across the area, the storms to our west became severe quickly and moved into the region by early evening. Of particular note were two long-lived supercells traversing the Berks County to far southern New Jersey corridor, where swaths of large hail (up to two inches in diameter) were reported as well as an EF2 tornado in Morgantown, PA, and a waterspout in Delaware Bay just south of Cumberland County, NJ. An additional supercell near the aforementioned warm front produced a brief but damaging (EF1) tornado in Sussex County, NJ. |
 Composite radar loop of the Morgantown tornado on 28 May 2019. |
Synoptic Overview at 12z 28 May 2019 (courtesy of SPC)
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| Figure 1: 250-mb analysis | Figure 2: 300-mb analysis | Figure 3: 500-mb analysis |
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| Figure 4: 700-mb analysis | Figure 5: 850-mb analysis | Figure 6: 925-mb analysis |
Synoptic Overview at 00z 29 May 2019 (courtesy of SPC)
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| Figure 7: 250-mb analysis | Figure 8: 300-mb analysis | Figure 9: 500-mb analysis |
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| Figure 10: 700-mb analysis | Figure 11: 850-mb analysis | Figure 12: 925-mb analysis |
Surface Maps (courtesy of WPC)
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| Figure 13: 15z surface map | Figure 14: 18z surface map | Figure 15: 21z surface map |
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| Figure 16: 00z surface map | Figure 17: 03z surface map | Figure 18: 06z surface map |
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| Figure 19: 12z Upton, NY sounding | Figure 20: 12z Pittsburgh, PA sounding |
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| Figure 21: 12z Sterling, VA sounding | Figure 22: 12z Wallops Island, VA sounding |
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| Figure 23: 00z Upton, NY sounding | Figure 24: 00z Pittsburgh, PA sounding |
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| Figure 25: 00z Sterling, VA sounding | Figure 26: 00z Wallops Island, VA sounding |
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| Figure 1: National Preliminary Reports 12z 28 May 2019 to 12z 29 May 2019 | Figure 2: Zoomed Preliminary Reports for the same period. | Figure 3: Prelim Reports vs. 1630z SPC Convective Outlook |
Click here for a county warning area based look at local storm reports and warnings/advisories issued during the 28 May 2019 event.
Tornado Watch 0274 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0057 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0058 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0059 Tornado Warning 0012 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0060 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0061 Areal Flood Advisory 0054 Tornado Warning 0013 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0062 Special Marine Warning 0037 Areal Flood Advisory 0055 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0063 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0064 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0065 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0066 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0067 Areal Flood Advisory 0056 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0068 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0069 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0070 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0071 Areal Flood Advisory 0057 Tornado Warning 0014 Areal Flood Advisory 0058 Tornado Warning 0015 Tornado Warning 0016 Special Marine Warning 0038 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0072 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0073 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0074 Special Marine Warning 0039 Areal Flood Advisory 0059 River Flood Warning 0009 Areal Flood Advisory 0060 Special Marine Warning 0040 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0075 Special Marine Warning 0041 Special Marine Warning 0042 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0076 Special Marine Warning 0043 Severe Thunderstorm Warning 0077 Special Marine Warning 0044
NWUS51 KPHI 021609
LSRPHI
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1209 PM EDT SUN JUN 2 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0501 PM HAIL BERNVILLE 40.43N 76.11W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0509 PM HAIL NORTH HEIDELBERG TWP 40.39N 76.12W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0510 PM HAIL ROBESONIA 40.35N 76.13W
05/28/2019 M0.75 INCH BERKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER
0530 PM HAIL SINKING SPRING 40.33N 76.02W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0530 PM HAIL SINKING SPRING 40.33N 76.01W
05/28/2019 E1.25 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0532 PM HAIL WYOMISSING 40.33N 75.96W
05/28/2019 M0.88 INCH BERKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER
0533 PM HAIL 1 S WEST WYOMISSING 40.32N 75.99W
05/28/2019 E1.25 INCH BERKS PA COCORAHS
0535 PM HAIL WYOMISSING 40.33N 75.96W
05/28/2019 E1.50 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0536 PM HAIL WYOMISSING 40.33N 75.96W
05/28/2019 M1.75 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0536 PM HAIL WYOMISSING 40.34N 75.96W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0545 PM HAIL WEST LAWN 40.33N 75.99W
05/28/2019 E1.75 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0550 PM HAIL READING 40.33N 75.92W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0552 PM TORNADO MORGANTOWN 40.16N 75.89W
05/28/2019 BERKS PA NWS STORM SURVEY
MAXIMUM EF SCALE RATING EF2 WITH ESTIMATED
MAXIMUM WINDS OF 120 MPH.
0553 PM HAIL 3 ENE NEW MORGAN 40.20N 75.84W
05/28/2019 E1.75 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0555 PM HAIL MORGANTOWN 40.16N 75.89W
05/28/2019 E2.00 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0556 PM TSTM WND DMG CAERNARVON TWP 40.15N 75.88W
05/28/2019 BERKS PA 911 CALL CENTER
POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE IN CAERNARVON TWP
AND MORGANTOWN WITH BUILDINGS AND HOMES
DAMAGED AND NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0559 PM TSTM WND GST MORGANTOWN 40.15N 75.89W
05/28/2019 M88 MPH BERKS PA MESONET
MEASURED BY PERSONAL WEATHER STATION IN
CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE TORNADO THAT MOVED
THROUGH TOWN. THIS WAS THE LAST AVAILABLE
OBSERVATION BEFORE A POWER OUTAGE OCCURRED.
TIME OF OBSERVATION WAS BETWEEN 5:54 AND
5:59 PM.
0604 PM HAIL 2 NNW NEW MORGAN 40.22N 75.91W
05/28/2019 M1.50 INCH BERKS PA PUBLIC
0612 PM TSTM WND DMG MOHRSVILLE 40.48N 75.98W
05/28/2019 BERKS PA FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
DOWNED TREE ON EASTER STREET NEAR MAIN
STREET IN CENTRE TWP. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
0625 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNW WEST CHESTER 39.98N 75.61W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE DOWN AT OWEN ROAD AND KIRBY DRIVE IN
WEST GOSHEN TWP. ALL LANES CLOSED. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0628 PM HAIL 1 N WEST CHESTER 39.98N 75.60W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH CHESTER PA PUBLIC
0628 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WNW DOWNINGTON 40.01N 75.72W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
DOWNED TREE BLOCKING THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF
ROCK RAYMOND DRIVE NEAR THE U.S. 30 BYPASS.
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0630 PM HAIL EXTON 40.03N 75.63W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH CHESTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER
0633 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNE SOUTH COATESVILLE 39.99N 75.80W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
LARGE TREE BLOWN DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION
OF FOUNDRY ROAD AND FOUNDRY STREET IN CALN
TWP. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0633 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 S DOUGLASS TWP 40.31N 75.68W
05/28/2019 BERKS PA FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
DOWNED TREE AND WIRES ON RED SHALE DRIVE.
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0635 PM HAIL 1 N GLASGOW 39.62N 75.75W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH NEW CASTLE DE TRAINED SPOTTER
CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM 1 N
GLASGOW TO ACCOUNT FOR AN INCREASE IN HAIL
SIZE FOLLOWING THE INITIAL REPORT.
0635 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE EXTON 40.02N 75.62W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
TREE DOWN ON PA-100.
0636 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WSW EAST FALLOWFIELD 39.94N 75.84W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
LARGE TREE DOWN BLOCKING ALL OF BUCK RUN
ROAD NEAR GLENROSE ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
0638 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W EAST GOSHEN TWP. 39.99N 75.56W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE DOWN BLOCKING MEADOWBROOK LANE NEAR
BOOT ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0641 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSE PAOLI 40.03N 75.48W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
DOWNED TREE ON WEATHERSTONE DRIVE NEAR
VALLEY ROAD IN WILLISTOWN TWP. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0641 PM HAIL DELAWARE CITY 39.57N 75.59W
05/28/2019 E1.25 INCH NEW CASTLE DE PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0644 PM HAIL 1 NNE WEST GOSHEN 39.99N 75.57W
05/28/2019 M0.70 INCH CHESTER PA DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
0648 PM HAIL SAINT GEORGES 39.56N 75.65W
05/28/2019 M1.50 INCH NEW CASTLE DE PUBLIC
0649 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW EAST GOSHEN TWP. 39.99N 75.55W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE DOWN BLOCKING BARKER DRIVE AT MARYDELL
DRIVE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0654 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 ESE KENNETT SQUARE 39.83N 75.67W
05/28/2019 CHESTER PA EMERGENCY MNGR
LARGE TREE DOWN DAMAGING TWO VEHICLES NEAR
THE INTERSECTION OF NINE GATES ROAD AND OLD
KENNETT ROAD IN KENNETT TWP. TIME ESTIMATED
FROM RADAR.
0702 PM TSTM WND DMG CLAYMONT 39.80N 75.46W
05/28/2019 NEW CASTLE DE BROADCAST MEDIA
*** 1 INJ ***
A TREE FELL ONTO A TENT AT A CHURCH
FESTIVAL. THE TREE STRUCK AND INJURED A
MUSICIAN PLAYING INSIDE THE TENT AT THE
TIME. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0705 PM HAIL SALEM 39.58N 75.47W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH SALEM NJ PUBLIC
0715 PM HAIL CLELAND HEIGHTS 39.74N 75.57W
05/28/2019 M0.70 INCH NEW CASTLE DE PUBLIC
0717 PM TSTM WND DMG DUNLINDEN ACRES 39.74N 75.64W
05/28/2019 NEW CASTLE DE EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE INTO A HOUSE ON DUNCAN RD. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0720 PM HAIL ELMHURST 39.73N 75.59W
05/28/2019 M0.75 INCH NEW CASTLE DE TRAINED SPOTTER
0723 PM HAIL BRIDGETON 39.43N 75.23W
05/28/2019 E0.88 INCH CUMBERLAND NJ PUBLIC
0728 PM HAIL CARNEYS POINT TWP 39.72N 75.47W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH SALEM NJ PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0735 PM HAIL PENNSVILLE 39.66N 75.52W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH SALEM NJ TRAINED SPOTTER
0740 PM HAIL PENNSVILLE 39.65N 75.52W
05/28/2019 E1.50 INCH SALEM NJ PUBLIC
0742 PM HAIL SALEM 39.57N 75.46W
05/28/2019 M1.50 INCH SALEM NJ COCORAHS
0802 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W HOPEWELL TWP. 39.44N 75.29W
05/28/2019 CUMBERLAND NJ EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTS NUMEROUS TREES
DOWN WEST OF BRIDGETON IN THE AREA OF
ROADSTOWN ROAD AND RANDOLPH ROAD.
0806 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SSW SHILOH 39.44N 75.31W
05/28/2019 CUMBERLAND NJ EMERGENCY MNGR
SEVERAL REPORTS OF ABOUT 10 POWER POLES
SNAPPED ALONG ROADSTOWN ROAD BETWEEN
RANDOLPH ROAD AND ROADSTOWN. TIME ESTIMATED
FROM RADAR.
0814 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 N FAIRTON 39.39N 75.22W
05/28/2019 CUMBERLAND NJ PUBLIC
A FEW TREES DOWN IN FAIRTON.
0820 PM TSTM WND DMG CEDARVILLE 39.33N 75.20W
05/28/2019 CUMBERLAND NJ PUBLIC
MULTIPLE TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0825 PM TSTM WND GST 1 ENE STANHOPE 40.92N 74.68W
05/28/2019 M50 MPH SUSSEX NJ TRAINED SPOTTER
MEASURED WIND GUST OF 50 MPH BEFORE POWER
WENT OUT. GUSTS BECAME HIGHER AFTER THE
POWER WENT OUT.
0825 PM HAIL HOPATCONG 40.94N 74.66W
05/28/2019 E0.70 INCH SUSSEX NJ PUBLIC
0830 PM TORNADO STANHOPE 40.92N 74.70W
05/28/2019 SUSSEX NJ NWS STORM SURVEY
MAXIMUM EF SCALE RATING EF1 WITH ESTIMATED
MAXIMUM WINDS OF 100 MPH.
0830 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 W MOUNT ARLINGTON 40.93N 74.65W
05/28/2019 MORRIS NJ PUBLIC
POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE ON BERTRAND ISLAND
IN MOUNT ARLINGTON. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
0832 PM WATER SPOUT 2 SW FORTESCUE 39.21N 75.20W
05/28/2019 ANZ430 NJ PUBLIC
SEVERAL PICTURES AND VIDEOS SHOW A WATER
SPOUT JUST OFFSHORE FROM FORTESCUE. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
0832 PM FUNNEL CLOUD 3 NW MENDHAM 40.81N 74.63W
05/28/2019 MORRIS NJ TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD AT
THE BASE OF A ROTATING THUNDERSTORM.
0838 PM HAIL DEPTFORD TWP 39.83N 75.12W
05/28/2019 M1.25 INCH GLOUCESTER NJ TRAINED SPOTTER
0838 PM HAIL 1 E DEPTFORD TWP 39.83N 75.10W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH GLOUCESTER NJ PUBLIC
0840 PM HAIL RANDOLPH, NJ 40.85N 74.57W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH MORRIS NJ PUBLIC
0840 PM MARINE TSTM WIND FORTESCUE 39.24N 75.18W
05/28/2019 M49 MPH CUMBERLAND NJ MESONET
NJWXNET GAUGE.
0841 PM HAIL SEWELL 39.77N 75.15W
05/28/2019 M0.70 INCH GLOUCESTER NJ TRAINED SPOTTER
0843 PM HAIL DENVILLE 40.86N 74.50W
05/28/2019 E1.25 INCH MORRIS NJ PUBLIC
HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
0846 PM HAIL TURNERSVILLE 39.77N 75.06W
05/28/2019 M1.00 INCH GLOUCESTER NJ BROADCAST MEDIA
0846 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NE HOPE 40.94N 74.95W
05/28/2019 WARREN NJ FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE WITH SEVERAL TREES
UPROOTED AND SNAPPED IN THE SILVER LAKE AREA
OF HOPE TWP. TREES HAVE FALLEN ONTO HOMES
AND VEHICLES. REPORTS OF A FUNNEL CLOUD IN
THE AREA AT THE TIME. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
0853 PM TSTM WND DMG BLAIRSTOWN TWP 40.99N 74.95W
05/28/2019 WARREN NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ON CEDAR LAKE RD
AND MOUNT HERMON RD.
0900 PM TSTM WND DMG BLAIRSTOWN TWP 40.99N 74.95W
05/28/2019 WARREN NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
TREE DOWN BLOCKING ROADWAY AT ROUTE 94 AND
VAIL RD.
0956 PM HAIL 2 WSW LAKEHURST 40.00N 74.34W
05/28/2019 E1.00 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC
0958 PM HAIL 3 ESE LAKEHURST 40.00N 74.26W
05/28/2019 E1.75 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC
1009 PM HAIL LANOKA HARBOR 39.87N 74.16W
05/28/2019 E0.70 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC
1149 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 ENE LANOKA HARBOR 39.87N 74.14W
05/28/2019 M58 MPH OCEAN NJ MESONET
1149 PM TSTM WND GST 1 ENE LANOKA HARBOR 39.87N 74.14W
05/28/2019 M58 MPH OCEAN NJ MESONET
WEATHERFLOW SENSOR.
1150 PM TSTM WND GST 4 ESE LANOKA HARBOR 39.85N 74.09W
05/28/2019 M62 MPH OCEAN NJ MESONET
1156 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 E BARNEGAT LIGHT 39.76N 74.09W
05/28/2019 M44 MPH ANZ451 NJ MESONET
1157 PM MARINE TSTM WIND SEASIDE HEIGHTS 39.95N 74.07W
05/28/2019 M47 MPH ANZ451 NJ MESONET
DELAYED REPORT FROM TUESDAY.
&&
$$
CMS
NOUS41 KPHI 300117 PNSPHI DEZ001>004-MDZ008-012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054- 055-060>062-070-071-101>106-301330- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 917 PM EDT Wed May 29 2019 ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEYS FOR THE 05/28/19 TORNADO EVENT... .Morgantown Pennsylvania Tornado... Start Location...Caernarvon Township in Lancaster County, PA End Location...Caernarvon Township in Berks County, PA Date...May 28, 2019 Estimated Time...5:52 PM EDT to 6:00 PM EDT Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...120 mph Maximum Path Width...400 yards Path Length...2.6 miles Beginning Lat/Lon...40.1589/-75.9096 Ending Lat/Lon...40.1468/-75.8658 * Fatalities...0 * Injuries...0 ...Summary... A tornado developed in Caernarvon Township in Lancaster County, PA, approximately a quarter mile from the Berks County line. Damage began at a turkey farm in this area, where several trees were snapped and the roof of a barn was lofted and blown to a residence on Swamp Road in Berks County. Forty turkeys were killed at this location. The tornado then affected the Swamp Road residence, with substantial damage to two outbuildings, one of which was completely destroyed. The roof of one of the outbuildings ended up underneath a van that was lofted simultaneously. Additionally, a tractor trailer on the property was overturned and dragged nearly 40 feet from its initial position. The tornado then tracked through Morgantown, where somewhat sporadic damage occurred to several businesses on Main Street. The tornado then downed numerous large and healthy trees on Mill Road and Mast Road. Several fallen trees severely damaged a house on Mast Road. At this point, the tornado shifted to a more southeast direction, where it moved into the Valley Ponds subdivision. Several homes sustained roof and window damage, at least a dozen vehicles were shifted and severely damaged (one vehicle overturned several times, ending up 30 to 40 feet from its original position), and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. From there, the tornado tracked to an industrial park near Hemlock Road, where numerous trees were snapped, three cars were shifted, and several buildings sustained roof damage. Finally, the tornado damaged several homes on Quarry View Drive. Two of the homes had substantial damage to one or more exterior walls. The tornado subsequently lifted near the end of Quarry View Drive. No injuries were reported as a result of this tornado. The survey team would like to thank Berks County Emergency Management and the Caernarvon Township Supervisor for their assistance in this survey. .Stanhope New Jersey Tornado... Start Location...Stanhope in Sussex County, New Jersey End Location...Stanhope in Sussex County, New Jersey Date...May 28, 2019 Estimated Time...8:30 PM EDT Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...100 mph Maximum Path Width...350 yards Path Length...1.2 miles (discontinuous) Beginning Lat/Lon...40.92/-74.70 Ending Lat/Lon...40.91/-74.68 * Fatalities...0 * Injuries...0 ...Summary... A tornado touched down in Stanhope in Sussex County, New Jersey. Damage began near the Lenape Valley Regional High School. Here, several trees were snapped or uprooted. On a field in front of the school, a clear tornadic damage path was seen with three nearby trees snapped or uprooted in a cyclonic fashion. A small but anchored outbuilding was also lifted and flipped over. Further tree damage occurred at a residence across the street from the school. Damage then appeared to briefly abate, indicating the tornado likely lifted for a short time. However, a short distance further southeast, additional tornadic damage was observed with numerous trees snapped or uprooted and several homes and cars sustaining damage from falling trees on and around Unger Avenue. Including the brief time when it likely lifted, the tornado lasted approximately one to one and a half minutes. Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of this tornado. We extend our thanks to the Sussex County Division of Emergency Management, Stanhope Emergency Management, and New Jersey State Police for their assistance in this survey. EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph * The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ Morgantown tornado: Davis/CMS Stanhope tornado: Johnson/O'Brien
Morgantown Tornado and Large Hail (GR2Analyst)
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| Figure 1: KDIX radar reflectivity factor (top left), storm-relative motion (SRM; top right), correlation coefficient (CC; bottom left), and differential reflectivity (ZDR; bottom right) valid at 2148 UTC on 28 May 2019. A supercell was approaching the Morgantown area from the northwest, with strong mesocyclonic rotation (including velocity folding on SRM), a pronounced signal of hail (ZDR near zero and lowering of CC collocated with radar reflectivity factor greater than 60 dBZ between New Morgan and and Geigertown). A ZDR arc (very high ZDR on the south/east side of the supercell) is also present, further indicating strong low-level shear. Finally, a three-body scatter spike (TBSS) is present northwest of the supercell (CC < 70% on the far northwest portion of the plot). This image was valid about 3-4 minutes before tornadogenesis occurred just to the west of Morgantown. Very large hail (up to 2 inches in diameter) was reported with this storm around this time near New Morgan. | Figure 2: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2151 UTC on 28 May 2019. The low-level rotation has tightened and increased. This is near the time of tornadogenesis near the Berks/Lancaster County border just west of Morgantown. The TBSS and hail core remain quite evident. | Figure 3: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2153 UTC on 28 May 2019. The low-level rotation continued to tighten as it approached Morgantown. There is also an indication of a tornado debris signature (TDS; very low CC collocated with the strong rotation). |
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| Figure 4: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2156 UTC on 28 May 2019. Gate-to-gate shear is near 100 kts at this point, strongly indicative of a tornado. There is still some evidence of a TDS as well (the CC < 70% just southeast of Morgantown). Note that the low CC to the south and somewhat farther from Morgantown is not the TDS. | Figure 5: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2159 UTC on 28 May 2019. The low-level rotation remains quite strong, but the lowest CC is becoming displaced from the strongest low-level rotation. The tornado was still occurring at this time but was near dissipation. | Figure 6: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2201 UTC on 28 May 2019. The tornado dissipated by this point as the circulation moved into Chester County, but low-level rotation remains quite strong. The hail core and TBSS have also weakened but have not disappeared. Large hail was likely occurring between Loag and Warwick at this point. |
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| Figure 7: Cross section of the Morgantown tornado valid at 2153 UTC on 28 May 2019 looking from the west toward the east, using KDIX base reflectivity (top left), storm-relative motion (top right), correlation coefficient (bottom left), and differential reflectivity (bottom right). The TDS is visible (low CC at the lowest elevation angle). Note that velocity folding is occurring with SRM, with the outbound readings on the right (south) side of the cross section actually an indication of very strong inbound velocities (confirming cyclonic rotation). A hail core is evident to the north (left) of the tornado (via low CC and near-zero ZDR collocated with 60+ dBZ radar reflectivity factor). | Figure 8: As in Fig. 7, except viewed from the south toward the north. The strongly sheared storm is indicated here by radar reflectivity factor leaning to the right (east) with height. A deep layer of convergence is evident (via the inbound -- green - velocities to the left/west of the outbound velocities -- red near and above the tornado. A mixture of rain and hail is occurring downstream (east) of the tornado, as indicated by 55-65 dBZ radar reflecitivity factor collocated with lower CC and near-zero ZDR up to 10 kft AGL. Again, the TDS is quite evident with the low CC at the surface (and is also implied by near-zero and sharply changing ZDR at the same location). |
Stanhope Tornado (GR2Analyst)
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| Figure 9: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 0024 UTC on 29 May 2019. A marker is placed near the center of the strongest low-level cyclonic rotation as seen using SRM for what would become the Stanhope tornado (occurred around 8:30 pm). At this point, gate-to-gate shear exceeded 70 kts with the supercell storm, which also exhibited a broad ZDR arc and non-uniform beam filling to the northwest of the highest radar reflectivities with the storm (near Roseville). Large hail was reported with this storm as well. | Figure 10: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 0027 UTC on 29 May 2019. A marker is placed near the center of the strongest low-level cyclonic rotation as seen using SRM for what would become the Stanhope tornado (occurred around 8:30 pm). SRM has increased (as indicated by the presence of velocity folding). Tornadogenesis was imminent at this point. |
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| Figure 11: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 0030 UTC on 29 May 2019. A TDS is now present (lowered CC; marker placed at this location), with tornado damage confirmed in this area. Gate-to-gate shear remained around 70-75 kts at this time. Notably, the radar reflectivity factor had increased just north of Hopatcong, with corresponding lower CC and near-zero ZDR. This is a strong indication of large to very large hail. This behavior was similar to the Morgantown supercell/tornado, in which the hail signatures became most pronounced just before and during the tornado. | Figure 12: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 0032 UTC on 29 May 2019. A marker is placed near the center of the remnant TDS. The low-level rotation had weakened by this point, and the tornado had likely dissipated. |
New Castle/Salem County Hail Swath (GR2Analyst)
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| Figure 13: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2324 UTC on 28 May 2019. A supercell storm was affecting far northeast New Castle County in Delaware and western Salem County in New Jersey. The supercell exhibited classic characteristics of large hail, including a high-reflectivity forward-flank downdraft coincident with low ZDR and relatively low CC. Large hail reports from this area were strongly tied to these features. Hail reports were received near Carneys Point, NJ, at this time. | Figure 14: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2327 UTC on 28 May 2019. The radar reflectivity factor becomes noticeably higher just east of Wilmington Manor, where damage from this storm was reported. |
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| Figure 15: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2332 UTC on 28 May 2019. The strongest hail signatures were now located near Pennsville, NJ, where up to golf ball size hail was reported. | Figure 16: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 2342 UTC on 28 May 2019. Ping pong ball to golf ball size hail was reported in Salem, NJ, around this time. Note the TBSS to the southwest of Salem, as indicated by the very low CC. |
Delaware Bay Waterspout (GR2Analyst)
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| Figure 17: Same as Fig. 1, valid at 0032 UTC on 29 May 2019. This was the approximate time a waterspout was reported off the coast of Cumberland County (indicated by the marker). The waterspout would have been along the rear-flank downdraft gust front of the supercell storm affecting Cumberland County at the time. The intense storm was producing large hail and wind damage in the Cedarville to Port Norris corridor at the time. The very low CC to the southwest of Port Norris (consistent with a TBSS), combined with the low ZDR and relatively low CC collocated with 65+ dBZ radar reflectivity factor between Newport and Port Norris, is a strong indication of severe hail. | Figure 18: Same as Fig. 1, except using KDOX valid at 0033 UTC on 29 May 2019. Note that many of the same features as seen on KDIX are present. Note also the high (>3 dB) ZDR near and to the southeast of Port Norris (indicative of a ZDR arc) and the lower CC/ZDR near the high radar reflectivity factors seen to the northwest of Port Norris (indicative of large hail). As seen in Fig. 15, the waterspout (approximated by the position of the marker) appears to be along the gust front of the rear-flank downdraft (at the interface of the hook echo of the supercell). |
Morgantown Tornado (Still under development...)
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Stanhope Tornado (Still under development...)
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