Strong Wind — Westmoreland Ridges, Pennsylvania

2019-10-31 · Westmoreland Ridges, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

A tree was reported to be blown down near US Route 30 in Ligonier.

Wider weather episode

A strong mid-level trough swung across the Plains and the Great Lakes on the 31st. The trough took on a negative tilt as it crossed the middle and upper Ohio Valley during the evening. Deepening surface low pressure rode northward into the eastern Great Lakes as well, which pushed a cold front across the region during the evening. An unseasonably strong feed of moisture developed ahead of this system, triggering heavy rainfall. 1 to 2 inches of rain fell across southwest Pennsylvania, with isolated higher totals of up to 2.5 inches. This led to several reports of road and small-stream flooding in the region.

In addition, the negatively tilted trough, strong pressure gradient, and mixing provided by the cold front led to a period of high winds across the region. Many gusts of 45 to 50 MPH were observed, with a high gust of 64 MPH reported in eastern Tucker County, WV. Many reports of tree and power line damage were received, and power outages numbered into the thousands of customers. Wind impacts were likely more widespread than reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 861775. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.