Severe weather possible as Centre County is under a tornado watch all evening

One tornado has already been confirmed Tuesday in Crawford County as the bulk of the state — including Centre County— remains under a tornado watch.

The National Weather Service issued the watch for all but the southern portion of the state until 11 p.m., with the potential for hazardous weather. Parts of Clearfield and Jefferson counties were under tornado warnings for a part of the evening.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 5:27 p.m. for parts of Centre, Celarfield, Clinton, Cameron, Potter and Elk counties until 7 p.m. with the possibility of ping pong ball-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts. A flashflood watch was also issued at 7 p.m., with as much as 3 inches expected, until 2 a.m.

NWS meteorologist Craig Evanego said that in Centre County, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the evening until after midnight.

With the potential for hazardous weather, Evanego said winds could get up to as high as 60 mph. If that were to happen, and the tornado watch would turn into a warning, the best thing to do, he said, is to get to a basement or an interior room — like a bathroom — without windows.

The last time Centre County had a confirmed tornado was in May 2017 in Rebersburg. The tornado had estimated winds near 110 mph and a nearly 1-mile-long path.

This story was originally published October 2, 2018 at 4:18 PM.