Severe Weather Batters Central Pennsylvania with Heat Advisory in Effect
Heat index values reaching 103 degrees and severe thunderstorms bringing flash flooding and damaging winds create dangerous conditions across central Pennsylvania.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — Central Pennsylvania experienced a challenging mix of severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and oppressive heat on June 11 and 12, leading to multiple weather warnings from the National Weather Service State College office.
A heat advisory remains in effect until 8:00 PM EDT today for Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties, with heat index values expected to reach 103 degrees. Issued at 6:23 AM EDT, the advisory warns that hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Flash Flooding Strikes Multiple Counties
Flash flood warnings were issued for several areas as thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall totaling between 1.5 and 3 inches. Emergency management reported ongoing flash flooding in Jamison City, Waller, Biggertown, Central, Lairdsville, and Ricketts Glen State Park as of 8:25 PM EDT on June 11.
A separate flash flood warning affected northwestern Clearfield County, Cameron County, and southeastern Elk County until 8:30 PM EDT. Areas expected to experience flash flooding included St. Marys, DuBois, Sandy, Cameron, Emporium, Penfield, Rockton, Force, Benezette, Medix Run, Parker Dam State Park, Truman, Hicks Run, S.B. Elliot State Park, Brandy Camp, Brockport, Sizerville, Stevenson Dam, Kersey, and Weedville.
Widespread Wind Damage Threat
Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the evening of June 11, with radar-indicated wind gusts reaching 60 mph. The storms moved northeast at speeds between 35 and 45 mph, threatening damage to roofs, siding, and trees across numerous counties.
Major cities and towns affected by severe thunderstorm warnings included Lebanon, Bloomsburg, Pottsville, Berwick, Tamaqua, Mount Carmel, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah, Minersville, Mahanoy City, Cornwall, Frackville, Sunbury, Milton, Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Danville, Northumberland, Mifflinburg, Winfield, Millersburg, Muncy, Watsontown, and Elysburg.
The severe weather also impacted major transportation corridors, including Interstate 80 between the Buckhorn and Nescopeck exits from mile markers 232 to 247, Interstate 78 from mile markers 5 to 8, and Interstate 81 from mile markers 99 to 139.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains Active
The National Weather Service issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 312 at 1:23 PM EDT on June 11, which remained valid until 8:00 PM EDT for eight counties in central Pennsylvania: Cambria, Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Potter, Somerset, and Warren.
Cities included in the watch were Bradford, Clearfield, Coudersport, DuBois, Emporium, Johnstown, Ridgway, Somerset, St. Marys, and Warren. Weather service meteorologists noted that radar indicated rotation within some severe thunderstorms, though tornadoes were not immediately likely.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike experienced multiple impacts, with severe weather affecting sections from mile markers 100 to 179. State College, Huntingdon, Altoona, and numerous other communities reported severe thunderstorm conditions with 60 mph wind gusts throughout the evening hours.
