Light to moderate snow will continue into Saturday over the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast. This weekend into next week, a series of atmospheric rivers will bring gusty winds, periods of heavy rain, and mountain snow to northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Colder temperatures are in store for the weekend from the Great Lakes to East Coast. Read More >
Overview
A strong cold front moved through the eastern mid-Atlantic during the early to mid afternoon hours on April 21. Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of the front. Some storms became severe, with sporadic reports of storm damage from southern New England southward through much of the coastal mid-Atlantic. The front moved through a couple hours before peak heating, which combined with an air mass that was not overly warm to begin with limited instability. However, steep mid-level lapse rates helped to compensate for this and allowed up to around 1000J/kg of surface based CAPE to develop. Strong frontal forcing and strong shear (deep layer shear of 50 to 60 kt) combined with the sufficient instability to allow convection to develop and intensify. Mainly linear storm modes with some discrete elements were observed. The strongest storms produced hail up to quarter size, aided by cool air aloft thanks to the lapse rates, and scattered instances of downed trees and power lines due to damaging winds. Convection moved offshore by late afternoon, and a much cooler and drier air mass overspread the region. |
KDIX radar loop of the April 21, 2021 severe weather at half hour increments from 1530 UTC to 1930 UTC. Note the rapid development between 1530 and 1600 UTC (11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT) and how convection consisted of a mix of discrete and linear elements, as opposed to a solid squall line such as on March 28, 2021. |
Synoptic Overview at 12z 21 April 2021 (courtesy of SPC)
Figure 1: 250-mb analysis | Figure 2: 300-mb analysis | Figure 3: 500-mb analysis |
Figure 4: 700-mb analysis | Figure 5: 850-mb analysis | Figure 6: 925-mb analysis |
Synoptic Overview at 00z 22 April 2021 (courtesy of SPC)
Figure 7: 250-mb analysis | Figure 8: 300-mb analysis | Figure 9: 500-mb analysis |
Figure 10: 700-mb analysis | Figure 11: 850-mb analysis | Figure 12: 925-mb analysis |
Surface Maps (courtesy of WPC)
Figure 13: 06z surface map | Figure 14: 09z surface map | Figure 15: 12z surface map |
Figure 16: 15z surface map | Figure 17: 18z surface map | Figure 18: 21z surface map |
Figure 19: 12z Sterling, VA sounding | Figure 20: 12z Wallops Island, VA sounding | Figure 21: 12z Long Island, NY sounding |
Figure 22: 0z Sterling, VA sounding | Figure 23: 0z Wallops Island, VA sounding | Figure 24: 0z Long Island, NY sounding |
Figure 1: National Preliminary Reports 12z 21 April 2021 to 12z 22 April 2021. | Figure 2: Zoomed Preliminary Reports for the same period. | Figure 3: April 21 1300z SPC Convective Outlook. |
Click here for a county warning area based plot of local storm reports and warnings/advisories issued for the 21 April 2021 event.
NWUS51 KPHI 220034 LSRPHI PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 834 PM EDT WED APR 21 2021 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 1220 PM HAIL 2 SSW DISTRICT TWP 40.43N 75.66W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH BERKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1222 PM HAIL 1 S BOYERTOWN 40.32N 75.64W 04/21/2021 M1.00 INCH BERKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1227 PM HAIL 1 NE EASTLAWN GARDENS 40.76N 75.29W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1230 PM HAIL 3 WNW UWCHLAN TWP 40.07N 75.68W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH CHESTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1235 PM HAIL TATAMY 40.74N 75.25W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER PEA SIZE HAIL REPORTED BY A TRAINED SPOTTER IN TATAMY, PA. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR. 1235 PM HAIL EMMAUS 40.54N 75.49W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH LEHIGH PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1235 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW ALLENTOWN 40.58N 75.48W 04/21/2021 LEHIGH PA UTILITY COMPANY TREE DOWN ON WIRES NEAR LEHIGH PKWY. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 1240 PM HAIL 2 ENE BETHLEHEM TWP 40.67N 75.30W 04/21/2021 M0.50 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1240 PM HAIL 1 WSW BETHLEHEM TWP 40.65N 75.36W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1245 PM HAIL MARTINS CREEK 40.78N 75.18W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1245 PM HAIL 2 WNW FORKS TWP 40.74N 75.21W 04/21/2021 E0.88 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1248 PM HAIL TRUMBAUERSVILLE 40.41N 75.38W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH BUCKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1250 PM HAIL HARLEYSVILLE 40.28N 75.39W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MONTGOMERY PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1250 PM HAIL MARTINS CREEK 40.78N 75.18W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1250 PM HAIL 2 WSW WILLIAMS TWP 40.63N 75.24W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1250 PM HAIL COLLEGEVILLE 40.19N 75.45W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MONTGOMERY PA PUBLIC 1252 PM HAIL LANDENBERG 39.78N 75.76W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH CHESTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1255 PM HAIL KENNETT SQUARE 39.85N 75.70W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH CHESTER PA TRAINED SPOTTER 1258 PM HAIL KINTNERSVILLE 40.56N 75.17W 04/21/2021 E0.50 INCH BUCKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER 0100 PM TSTM WND GST WHITE CLAY CREEK 39.73N 75.73W 04/21/2021 M46 MPH NEW CASTLE DE MESONET 0100 PM HAIL 2 N CENTREVILLE 39.07N 76.07W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH QUEEN ANNES MD TRAINED SPOTTER 0100 PM HAIL 1 W EASTON 40.69N 75.22W 04/21/2021 E0.70 INCH NORTHAMPTON PA PUBLIC DIME SIZE HAIL IN EASTON. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0100 PM HAIL NEWARK 39.68N 75.76W 04/21/2021 E0.70 INCH NEW CASTLE DE PUBLIC 0103 PM HAIL COLLEGEVILLE 40.19N 75.46W 04/21/2021 E0.88 INCH MONTGOMERY PA TRAINED SPOTTER 0105 PM TSTM WND GST 1 ENE POHATCONG TWP 40.66N 75.12W 04/21/2021 M46 MPH WARREN NJ MESONET 0105 PM HAIL PIKE CREEK 39.73N 75.70W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH NEW CASTLE DE TRAINED SPOTTER 0105 PM TSTM WND DMG UPPER BLACK EDDY 40.57N 75.10W 04/21/2021 BUCKS PA PUBLIC LARGE TREE DOWN. 0110 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 N ALEXANDRIA TWP 40.61N 75.02W 04/21/2021 HUNTERDON NJ UTILITY COMPANY TREE DOWN ON WIRES ON RICK RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0115 PM HAIL HOCKESSIN 39.79N 75.69W 04/21/2021 E0.50 INCH NEW CASTLE DE TRAINED SPOTTER 0115 PM HAIL 1 NE BROOKFIELD 39.86N 75.59W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH DELAWARE PA TRAINED SPOTTER 0115 PM HAIL 1 NW TALLEYVILLE 39.82N 75.57W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH NEW CASTLE DE TRAINED SPOTTER 0120 PM HAIL 3 SE CHURCH HILL 39.11N 75.95W 04/21/2021 E1.00 INCH QUEEN ANNES MD TRAINED SPOTTER 0120 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WSW CLINTON 40.63N 74.92W 04/21/2021 HUNTERDON NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS DOWNED TREE ON I-78 EASTBOUND RAMP TO EXIT 15. ONE LANE WAS CLOSED. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0122 PM HAIL SICKLERVILLE 39.72N 74.97W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH CAMDEN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0123 PM HAIL WASHINGTON TWP 39.75N 75.07W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH GLOUCESTER NJ TRAINED SPOTTER PEA SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 0125 PM HAIL 3 NW MILLVILLE 39.43N 75.07W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH CUMBERLAND NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0135 PM HAIL SPRINGFIELD 39.93N 75.32W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH DELAWARE PA TRAINED SPOTTER 0135 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 S EASTON 38.74N 76.07W 04/21/2021 TALBOT MD DEPT OF HIGHWAYS US-50 WESTBOUND WAS CLOSED BETWEEN SCHWANINGER RD AND LANDING NECK RD DUE TO DOWN POWER LINES. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0136 PM TSTM WND GST PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIO 39.88N 75.23W 04/21/2021 M52 MPH PHILADELPHIA PA ASOS ASOS STATION KPHL PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. 0140 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW WYNCOTE 40.08N 75.15W 04/21/2021 MONTGOMERY PA UTILITY COMPANY TREE LIMBS DOWN ON WIRES ON ROCK CREEK DR. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0140 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SSE SOUTH PHILADELPHI 39.89N 75.20W 04/21/2021 M59 MPH PHILADELPHIA PA MESONET PENNDOT RWIS STATION AT I-95 AND GIRARD AVENUE. 0140 PM HAIL CHESTER 40.79N 74.69W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MORRIS NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0140 PM HAIL SPARTA 41.04N 74.63W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH SUSSEX NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0145 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE FLOURTOWN 40.10N 75.20W 04/21/2021 MONTGOMERY PA UTILITY COMPANY TREE DOWN ON WIRES ON TYSON RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0145 PM HAIL 1 WSW DOVER 39.16N 75.54W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH KENT DE PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA. 0148 PM HAIL MEDFORD 39.89N 74.82W 04/21/2021 E0.88 INCH BURLINGTON NJ PUBLIC MOSTLY PEA-SIZED WITH A FEW PENNY TO NICKEL-SIZED STONES. REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 0148 PM HAIL 1 SE POINT BREEZE 39.92N 75.17W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH PHILADELPHIA PA TRAINED SPOTTER 0148 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 N BRANCHBURG TWP 40.60N 74.69W 04/21/2021 SOMERSET NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS UTILITY POLE DOWN ON US-22 EASTBOUND WEST OF READINGTON RD. ALL LANES WERE CLOSED. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0150 PM HAIL 2 NW EDGE HILL 39.19N 75.55W 04/21/2021 E0.70 INCH KENT DE PUBLIC DIME SIZE HAIL IN DOVER, DE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0155 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SSE FAR HILLS 40.65N 74.62W 04/21/2021 SOMERSET NJ PUBLIC A FEW MEDIUM SIZED TREE BRANCHES DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0155 PM HAIL MORRIS TWP 40.78N 74.46W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MORRIS NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0156 PM HAIL 1 ESE WHIPPANY 40.83N 74.40W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MORRIS NJ TRAINED SPOTTER PEA SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN WHIPPANY, NJ. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0158 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 N HOLMESBURG 40.06N 75.03W 04/21/2021 PHILADELPHIA PA UTILITY COMPANY POWER OUTAGE DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER NEAR HOLME CIRCLE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0200 PM TSTM WND DMG FEDERALSBURG 38.70N 75.78W 04/21/2021 CAROLINE MD BROADCAST MEDIA TREE DOWN ON VEHICLE. 0200 PM HAIL 2 WNW NEPTUNE CITY 40.21N 74.06W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MONMOUTH NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0200 PM HAIL 1 ENE LAWRENCEVILLE 40.30N 74.71W 04/21/2021 E0.70 INCH MERCER NJ EMERGENCY MNGR 0210 PM TSTM WND GST FORTESCUE 39.24N 75.18W 04/21/2021 M58 MPH CUMBERLAND NJ MESONET FORTESCUE NJ WEATHERNET SITE. 0210 PM MARINE TSTM WIND FORTESCUE 39.24N 75.18W 04/21/2021 M58 MPH ANZ430 NJ MESONET FORTESCUE NJ WEATHERNET SITE. 0212 PM HAIL BRIDGEVILLE 38.74N 75.60W 04/21/2021 M1.00 INCH SUSSEX DE BROADCAST MEDIA TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0212 PM HAIL SEAFORD 38.64N 75.61W 04/21/2021 M1.00 INCH SUSSEX DE BROADCAST MEDIA TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0214 PM HAIL BRIDGEVILLE 38.74N 75.61W 04/21/2021 E1.00 INCH SUSSEX DE BROADCAST MEDIA 0214 PM HAIL SEAFORD 38.65N 75.61W 04/21/2021 E1.00 INCH SUSSEX DE BROADCAST MEDIA 0220 PM HAIL 2 N GEORGETOWN 38.71N 75.39W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH SUSSEX DE TRAINED SPOTTER 0220 PM TSTM WND GST 1 W MILLVILLE MUNICIPAL 39.37N 75.08W 04/21/2021 M54 MPH CUMBERLAND NJ ASOS ASOS STATION KMIV MILLVILLE. 0222 PM HAIL 2 NW BERKELEY TWP 39.95N 74.32W 04/21/2021 E1.00 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC AN MPING REPORT OF QUARTER SIZE HAIL. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0223 PM HAIL MILLVILLE 39.40N 75.04W 04/21/2021 E1.00 INCH CUMBERLAND NJ PUBLIC 0224 PM HAIL 1 WSW MILLVILLE 39.40N 75.05W 04/21/2021 E0.88 INCH CUMBERLAND NJ PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0225 PM HAIL 2 WSW LAKEHURST 40.00N 74.34W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA. 0225 PM HAIL HELMETTA 40.38N 74.41W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MIDDLESEX NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0225 PM TSTM WND GST MILTON 38.78N 75.32W 04/21/2021 M44 MPH SUSSEX DE TRAINED SPOTTER 0235 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 WNW LEWES 38.78N 75.16W 04/21/2021 M58 MPH SUSSEX DE MESONET 0235 PM HAIL 2 NW WALL TWP 40.17N 74.09W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH MONMOUTH NJ PUBLIC 0235 PM TSTM WND GST 1 WNW LEWES 38.78N 75.16W 04/21/2021 M58 MPH SUSSEX DE MESONET 0238 PM MARINE TSTM WIND INDIAN BEACH 38.68N 75.08W 04/21/2021 M56 MPH SUSSEX DE MESONET MESONET STATION XDEW DEWEY BEACH GUSTED TO 56 MPH. 0240 PM HAIL SEASIDE HEIGHTS 39.94N 74.07W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH OCEAN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0240 PM HAIL DOROTHY 39.41N 74.81W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH ATLANTIC NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0241 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SE LEISURE VILLAGE EA 40.01N 74.13W 04/21/2021 OCEAN NJ PUBLIC GARDEN SHED BLOWN OVER, SECTION OF VINYL FENCE BROUGHT DOWN, AND SHINGLES BLOWN OFF HOUSE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. SOCIAL MEDIA. 0243 PM HAIL 1 ESE MANAHAWKIN 39.69N 74.24W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC 0244 PM HAIL 1 N SEASIDE HEIGHTS 39.96N 74.07W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC 0245 PM TSTM WND GST CAPE MAY 38.94N 74.92W 04/21/2021 M46 MPH CAPE MAY NJ MESONET 0245 PM MARINE TSTM WIND CAPE MAY 38.93N 74.92W 04/21/2021 M46 MPH CAPE MAY NJ MESONET 0245 PM HAIL BARNEGAT 39.75N 74.22W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC 0250 PM HAIL NORTHFIELD 39.37N 74.55W 04/21/2021 E0.25 INCH ATLANTIC NJ PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA. 0250 PM TSTM WND GST DEWEY BEACH 38.69N 75.08W 04/21/2021 M48 MPH SUSSEX DE MESONET 0250 PM MARINE TSTM WIND DEWEY BEACH 38.69N 75.08W 04/21/2021 M48 MPH SUSSEX DE MESONET 0254 PM TSTM WND GST ATLANTIC CITY INTERNATI 39.45N 74.57W 04/21/2021 M63 MPH ATLANTIC NJ ASOS ASOS STATION KACY ATLANTIC CITY GUSTED TO 63 MPH. 0255 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 NW SEA ISLE CITY 39.17N 74.71W 04/21/2021 M44 MPH CAPE MAY NJ MESONET LUDLUM BAY. 0255 PM TSTM WND GST 1 NW SEA ISLE CITY 39.17N 74.71W 04/21/2021 M44 MPH CAPE MAY NJ MESONET LUDLUM BAY. 0259 PM TSTM WND GST 3 NW FENWICK ISLAND 38.48N 75.09W 04/21/2021 M60 MPH SUSSEX DE PUBLIC PERSONAL WEATHER STATION KDESELBY13. 0300 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 S GALLOWAY TWP 39.46N 74.51W 04/21/2021 ATLANTIC NJ BROADCAST MEDIA TREES DOWN AT 6TH AVE AND RIDGEWOOD ST. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT RELAYED BY BROADCAST MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0300 PM MARINE TSTM WIND NORTH WILDWOOD 39.00N 74.79W 04/21/2021 M48 MPH CAPE MAY NJ MESONET 0300 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 3 SSE LANOKA HARBOR 39.82N 74.13W 04/21/2021 M41 MPH ANZ451 NJ MESONET KITE ISLAND. 0305 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 1 W OCEAN CITY 39.28N 74.60W 04/21/2021 M45 MPH CAPE MAY NJ MESONET POINT POINT. 0310 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SW BEACH HAVEN 39.55N 74.26W 04/21/2021 M61 MPH OCEAN NJ PUBLIC PERSONAL WEATHER STATION KNJLONGB89. 0312 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 5 SE MYSTIC ISLAND 39.52N 74.32W 04/21/2021 M62 MPH OCEAN NJ MESONET RUTGERS/ TUCKERTON MESONET GUST TO 62 MPH. 0315 PM HAIL LITTLE EGG HARBOR TWP 39.58N 74.36W 04/21/2021 M0.25 INCH OCEAN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER 0316 PM TSTM WND GST 2 SW BEACH HAVEN 39.54N 74.26W 04/21/2021 M62 MPH OCEAN NJ MESONET CWOP SITE EW4321. && $$
Notable Radar Imagery (GR2Analyst)
Figure 1: KDOX radar reflectivity factor for the 0.5 degree elevation angle valid 1726 UTC 21 April 2021. A broken line of severe thunderstorms is visible over eastern Maryland and entering into Delaware. Sporadic reports of penny to quarter size hail were received from these cells. Steep lapse rates (a rapid decrease in temperature with height) caused many storms on April 21 to contain at least small hail, with a few containing severe hail of one inch or greater in diameter, or the size of a quarter. | Figure 2: KDOX radar reflectivity cross section taken along the line of storm cells seen in Figure 1. Multiple distinct, tilted updrafts are seen. Storm tops reached only 20,000 to 25,000 feet, quite shallow for severe convection and especially for convection producing severe hail. But this is not uncommon in early season severe weather, and the cool temperatures aloft helped compensate for the relatively shallow convection. |
Figure 3: KDIX radar reflectivity factor for the 0.5 degree elevation angle valid 1824 UTC 21 April 2021. A semi-discrete cell is seen passing directly over Millville, New Jersey. A wind gust of 54 mph was measured at the Millville Municipal Airport as this storm passed, and quarter size hail was reported in and around Millville. This storm had previously crossed Delaware Bay and produced a 58 mph wind gust in Fortescue, New Jersey. | Figure 4: KDIX radar reflectivity cross section for the storm shown in Figure 3. This time, the cross section is taken across (from west to east) as opposed to along (from southwest to northeast) the storm(s), but it shows a similar picture. A strong, tilted updraft is seen, with the tilt evidence of strong wind shear. Reflectivity values of 60dBz (demarcated by the pink pixels) extend up to 20,000 feet in elevation, and this was likely the most robust storm of the day. |
Figure 5: KDOX radar reflectivity factor (left) and base velocity (right) for the 0.5 degree elevation angle valid 1828 UTC 21 April 2021. In addition to hail, a number of instances of damaging winds were observed on April 21. Storms in southern Delaware intensified as they approached the coast. Base velocity values of nearly 60 kt (69 mph) are seen at less than 1000 feet above ground level. Multiple instances of tree and utility damage and several measured gusts of 55 to 65 mph were recorded in southern and southeastern Delaware. | Figure 6: Same as Figure 3 valid at 1911 UTC 21 April 2021. Like the storms in southern Delaware, storms over southern New Jersey also intensified near the coast. This line of cells began to take on a bowing appearance as it moved offshore, a signature which is often accompanied by strong to severe wind. Multiple wind gusts over 60 mph were measured in Atlantic and southeastern Ocean Counties, with tree and utility damage also reported. |