Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

Here is the latest Area Forecast Discussion for Central PA

This text statement is the latest forecast reasoning from the NWS in State College, PA

See the links at the bottom of the page for previous issuances/versions of the statement as well as our other text statements.

237
FXUS61 KCTP 171138
AFDCTP

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service State College PA
738 AM EDT Tue Jun 17 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
* Scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding possible
this afternoon into early tonight across southwestern and
south central PA
* Strong to potentially severe thunderstorms possible Thursday
afternoon
* First significant heat wave to the season expected Sunday into
early week with Major Heat Risk forecast (level 3 of 4)

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Spotty light rain showers are moving from west to east early
this morning across central PA. A solid overcast, sub-1500ft
stratus deck entrenched along and east of the Allegheny Front
combined with ridge shrouding fog/mist and drizzle pockets will
make for a rather dreary and damp start to the day with temps
in the 60-65F range. An SPS may be issued to highlight low
visibility in higher terrain based current airport and RWIS
observational data.

The main focus today is on the potential for numerous flash
floods with significant events possible. An extremely moist
near-record PW environment for mid June will support a moderate
risk excessive rainfall outlook (level 3 out of 4 ERO) which
[since 2009] has only occurred 5-6 days a year or less than 2%
annually.

Very moist southwesterly return flow from the Gulf - pinched
between Bermuda-type ridge off the southeast coast and digging
trough tracking east from the mid Mississippi Valley - will
interact with multiple mid level shortwave impulses and a
wavering sfc front to produce enhanced isentropic ascent
supportive of heavy convective rainfall this afternoon into
early tonight.

The high-res CAMs are in good agreement in targeting parts of
southwest/southcentral PA with increasing coverage of heavy
t-storm downpours during peak afternoon/evening heating.
Although storm motions are expected to be somewhat progressive
to the northeast based on 20-30kt mean wind, the magnitude of
deep layer moisture available to tap will be close to/if not at
record levels for mid June with PWs approaching 2 inches. The
near-record PW and deep warm cloud depths of 13000-14000 ft will
support hourly rainfall that has a chance (20-40%) of exceeding
2"/hr, with sub-hourly rain rates of 3-4"/hr possible. Despite
a lack of organization, repeating rounds of thunderstorms with
these intense rain rates could produce stripes of rainfall
exceeding 3" (50-60%) and locally 5" (20-30%) with the greatest
potential for the higher accumulations suggested by both HREF
and REFS guidance occurring over CPA. With FFG extremely
compromised and reduced to 0.75" or less/1hr in some areas, WPC
has upgraded to a MDT risk for excessive rainfall. Given the
strong +RA signal and background antecedent conditions, a flood
watch was an easy decision to highlight and message what could
be a potential higher-end flooding day in CPA. In terms of
hydrology, smaller streams and creeks are the most vulnerable
and most likely to experience flooding. No flooding is forecast
on the larger rivers at this time, but some could be affected.

After somewhat of a lull in rain coverage/intensity after 03Z or
11pm, high-res ensemble guidance favors an uptick on shower
activity through early Wednesday morning across the western
Alleghenies which appears tied to a trailing shortwave impulse.

&&

.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Another midlevel shortwave trough is fcst to move through the
central Appalachians by 00Z Thu along the northwest periphery of
the upper level ridge off the Carolina coast.

Rather strong heating of a moist environment will result in
moderate to strong buoyancy Wednesday afternoon particularly
across southeast PA. Scattered diurnal storm development will be
possible with guidance generally depicting a belt of 35-45 kt
midlevel flow across the region. This modest flow enhancement
could result in some storm organization, with large PW and
steepened low-level lapse rates resulting in a threat for at
least isolated damaging wind. The D2 MRGL risk SWO clips the
eastern portion of the lower Susquehanna Valley.

By Thursday, a seasonably deep 500mb trough will move across
the Great Lakes into the Northeast CONUS. With rich moisture
already in place, it won`t take much heating to drive
thunderstorm development Thursday afternoon ahead of and along
an approaching cold front. Timing of the cold front still varies
somewhat which adds an element of uncertainty to the severe
storm potential. That being said, SPC transitioned the D4 15%
severe prob to a D3 SLGT risk SWO which essentially covers the
southeastern 1/2 of CWA.

Higher confidence outcome is the front clears the area Thursday
night which will bring drier/less humid conditions to close out
the week an officially kick of astronomical summer (see climate
section).

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
The upper-level trough will gradually drift eastward on Friday
with slightly lower dewpoints and temperatures filtering in
behind the cold front. As upper ridging builds in, northwest
flow aloft will prevail through Saturday an Saturday night,
which will lead to continued diurnal shower/thunderstorm chances
through Saturday.

By Sunday, there is increasing confidence in a very strong ridge
of high pressure with 500mb heights approaching 600dm. NAEFS
guidance depicts a ~72 hour period of anomalous 500mb heights,
700mb temperatures, and 850/925mb specific humidity values
(>99th percentile for this time of year). If such a forecast
materializes, we could be looking at a several day stretch of
extreme heat and humidity across the region. Monday looks to be
the hottest day of the stretch, with highs currently forecast
in the 90s for most of the area. Dewpoints in the mid 70s would
push heat index values over 100F for most locations east of I-99
and south of I-80, with values approaching 110F in the Lower
Susquehanna Valley. Although this forecast is still 7 days out
and uncertainty remains, the fact that we have been in a stretch
of relatively cool conditions means the quick switch into
significant heat and humidity could exacerbate the risk for
heat-related impacts.

In addition to warm afternoon temperatures and heat index
values, overnight lows will provide little to no relief from the
heat. With the expected stretch of hot and humid conditions, those
with heightened susceptibility to heat, such as young children,
older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, and
pregnant women, should prepare to limit time outdoors, wear
light clothing, and drink plenty of water later this weekend
and early next week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
12Z TAFS sent.

Not much to add, conditions at 7 AM about the same as the last
few days. Showers limited on coverage the last few hours.

Earlier discussion below.

06Z TAFS sent.

Main issue today into early Wednesday will be low CIGS.
Visibilities will low at times, mainly at night and in and
near showers and storms.

Chance for thunder will be a bit limited, unless low clouds
can break, and the airmass heated by the strong mid June
sun this aft.

No real change in the coming days.

Outlook...

Wed...VFR/MVFR with showers and thunderstorms possible, as warm
front pulls north of area.

Thu...Predominantly VFR, although strong PM t-storms are
possible with a cold frontal passage.

Fri-Sat...Predominantly VFR, with a slight chance of a rain
shower north.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Astronomical Summer (solstice) officially arrives on Friday,
June 20, at 10:42 p.m.

&&

.CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch from 11 AM EDT this morning through this evening
for PAZ010>012-017>019-024>027-033>036-045.

&&

$$

SYNOPSIS...Steinbugl
NEAR TERM...Steinbugl
SHORT TERM...Steinbugl
LONG TERM...Steinbugl/Banghoff/NPB
AVIATION...Martin
CLIMATE...Steinbugl

Forecaster's
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