High Wind — Higher Elevations of Indiana County, Pennsylvania

2024-01-12 to 2024-01-13 · Higher Elevations of Indiana County, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Reports of downed trees and wires were received from Dias and Germany. In Waterman, a tree fell on a car on Route 56. A few people were trapped in the car, but no injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

A powerful surface low pressure system lifted from the middle Mississippi Valley and across Michigan during the January 12-13 period. Winds across the region strengthened on the 12th and continued into the 13th thanks to a tightening surface pressure gradient and the mixing down of strong wind aloft. Maximum gusts of up to 64 MPH were noted in southwest Pennsylvania, resulting in many instances of tree damage, as well as some structural damage. Hardest hit were the higher elevation counties of Westmoreland and Fayette, with one injury noted in the latter county.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1159505. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.