Tornado Warnings and Severe Weather Alerts Cause Panic Across Counties

Residents across much of New Jersey and Pennsylvania lived through a tightly coiled and tumultuous Tuesday afternoon, as spontaneous tornado warnings were posted for several counties amidst rapidly developing thunderstorm complexes. Though the immediate threat seems to have passed at 5:50 p.m., earlier warnings and on-the-ground funnel cloud observations triggered mass hysteria and prompted speedy responses from local authorities and the National Weather Service (NWS).

The initial large tornado warning came at about 4:32 p.m., for Warren and Sussex counties in northwestern New Jersey. That warning lasted until 5:15 p.m., as severe storm clusters quickly moved through the region. Scarcely a minute or so after the initial warning, at 5:11 p.m., the second tornado warning was given for the northwest corner of Sussex County, to expire at 5:45 p.m.

According to the NWS, the second warning had been issued because of a severe thunderstorm that produced a tornado and was near Crandon Lakes – about eight miles northwest of Newton – traveling north at about 25 miles per hour. Meteorologists indicated that besides the storm having the potential to produce a tornado, the storm could produce quarter-sized hail, which would make damage to property more likely.

The earlier advisory covered a wider area, i.e., west-central Sussex County and north-central Warren County of New Jersey state, and east-central Monroe County in north-eastern Pennsylvania. The warnings were radar-identifiable wind rotation – one of the strongest predictors that a tornado is on the verge of formation.

Fortunately, up to early evening, no tornadoes had been reported officially in New Jersey, but reportedly one did make landfall somewhere in the vicinity. Specifically, a funnel cloud had been observed in the Bangor area of Northampton County, Pennsylvania. That later was confirmed by video observations on social media of what appeared to be a ground-based tornado near Route 191, south of Bangor, around 3:50 p.m.

It was this video footage that prompted the Mount Holly National Weather Service office to begin investigating whether or not a tornado indeed touched down on the ground in the area. NWS would typically send out a team of meteorologists to assess any damage, survey the area, and determine if a tornado indeed touched the ground. They would also determine an approximate strength, and the duration for which the storm came in contact with the ground.

Although the tornado warnings had expired, northern and central New Jersey were put largely under severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Unlike a warning, which predicts imminent or current danger, a watch means that severe thunderstorms can develop. The storms will bring damaging wind, hail that is bigger in diameter, and even isolated tornadoes if the air becomes more unstable.

Tuesday’s unsettled weather was not confined to one corner of the country. It was only one part of a larger system of powerful storms that were marching across Texas all the way up into the Gulf Coast, producing heavy rain, damaging winds, and large hail across several states. The large system of storms has put emergency responders and meteorologists into high gear, tracking activity as new patterns emerge.

In impacted communities, the message was quickly communicated by the emergency services and local government. Individuals who resided in warned communities were instructed to stay indoors, taking shelter in their homes, preferably in a basement or internal room without windows. Such prompt action is literally a matter of life and death when tornadoes strike, because life and death can be a matter of minutes and sometimes seconds of preparedness.

For those who were in its path, it was a frightening afternoon of weather watches, ear-deafening thunder, and foreboding skies. Many had their TVs tuned to local television news stations and social media as events transpired. Social media videos showed stunning footage of roiling clouds and hurricane-force winds – reminders of nature’s power and intensity.

Once night falls and the near-hazard appears to subside, weather officials will continue looking for system updates. Additional follow-up official damage reports and assessments will also be forthcoming from the NWS later in the next couple of days in an effort to define any tornado activity and measure the intensity of storms.

For now, while the tornado warnings themselves have passed, severe weather season is far from over. When late spring and early summer roll around, weather conditions for thunderstorms, hail, and potential tornadoes are still the norm rather than the exception. Officials are warning people to be prepared and keep a close eye on weather reports, especially as storm systems begin to form in the region.

This week’s activity is a stark reminder of how rapidly weather can turn around, and the importance of staying weather-aware. Whether it was a National Weather Service warning, or a funnel cloud on an individual’s phone, every minute of information that was given out saved lives. As people go through the cleanup and tally the blessings, this much is true: preparation and timely warning saved lives on Tuesday.