High Wind — Fayette Ridges, Pennsylvania

2021-03-26 · Fayette Ridges, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

Multiple trees were reported to be blown down in eastern Fayette County.

Wider weather episode

Strengthening low pressure tracked across the Great Lakes and into the northeast CONUS on March 26th. With the surface low track and low-level jet positioning both favorable, strong wind gusts were able to develop in the deep mixing behind a cold front. Numerous surface wind gusts in the 40 to 60 MPH range were recorded from the predawn hours into the early afternoon.

Widespread reports of tree and wire damage were received from southwest Pennsylvania. A few incidents of structural damage were noted, chiefly in Beaver and Allegheny Counties. West Penn Power reported over 17,000 customers without power at one point during the morning, with Duquesne Light seeing 6,767 outages.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 948741. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.