Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Elk, McKean, and Warren Counties in North Central Pennsylvania

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in State College PA has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northwestern Elk County, central McKean County, and southeastern Warren County in north central Pennsylvania. The alert was issued at 3:36 PM EST and is effective immediately.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following geographic regions:

• Northwestern Elk County
• Central McKean County
• Southeastern Warren County

Specific locations in the path of the storm include Kane, Sheffield, Smethport, Wetmore, Wilcox, James City, Rew, Cyclone, Ludlow, Marshburg, Westline, and Kinzua Bridge State Park.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to stay inside a well-built structure and keep away from windows. Move quickly to a safe shelter such as an interior room, a bathroom, closet, or basement. This thunderstorm is capable of producing all types of severe weather, including extremely large hail, destructive straight-line winds, and tornadoes.

Expected Conditions

At 3:35 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Tionesta, moving east at 55 mph. Radar indicates the following hazards:

• Wind: Gusts up to 60 mph are expected, which may cause damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
• Hail: Quarter-size hail (1.00 inch) is anticipated, with damage to vehicles expected.
• Rotation: Radar has indicated rotation within this severe thunderstorm. While a tornado is not immediately likely, residents should be aware that tornadoes can develop quickly during severe thunderstorms.

Timeline

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 4:30 PM EST on March 7. Furthermore, a broader Tornado Watch remains in effect for north central Pennsylvania until 8:00 PM EST.