Thunderstorm Wind in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

A strong thunderstorm descended southeast into Susquehanna County around 5 pm on August 5th. The intense core of the storm collapsed over Northeast Susquehanna County resulting in damaging microburst winds at the surface over a wide area. A storm survey indicated spotty tree damage along Mill Road but increased in amount of snapped and uprooted trees the farther west down Mill Road. The worst damage found was just north of Mill Road before the road began to rise sharply on the edge of a swamp. There were dozens of uprooted trees and snapped limbs with winds estimated near 95 mph at this location. The damage continued South of Mill Road up the hill side with many uprooted trees with wind estimates of 80 to 90 mph to the crest of the hill. At the top of the hill, there was more chaotic damage due to topographical effects. The pattern of tree fall for the remainder of the downburst was consistent with strong straight line winds with wind direction channeling along valleys and hillsides.

Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching cold front in an environment favorable for severe weather with sufficient instability, plenty of moisture, and wind shear. This supported the development of some strong to severe storms in the afternoon and early evening. Damaging wind gusts knocked down numerous trees and wires in Susquehanna County and there was one microburst surveyed.