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Severe Weather Potential

Severe Weather Outbreak April 15, 2002

Lake-Effect Thunderstorms Slam PA

 

Click on the above image for animation of the storm event. This image may take awhile to load on slower dial-up connections.

A rare spring time severe weather outbreak occured during the late afternoon and evening hours of April 15, 2002 over Eastern Ohio and Western PA.

Thunderstorms formed when a clash of cool lake-enhanced air clashed with and overrode the unseasonably hot air in place over Eastern Ohio and Western PA. The hot air began to rise, causing lift in the atmosphere enabling the severe thunderstorms to develop.

These storms quickly became tornadic in nature and prompted a tornado watch and several warnings to be issues after severe tornado/funnel cloud events were reported throughout Western PA.

Heavy rain, hail, and high winds were also produced by the storms.

The storms were classic super-cell type thunderstorms that normally appear over the central US, in areas such as the famed "Tornado Alley". Some meteorologists suggest this may be the beginning and a sure sign of an impending El Nino event.

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