After thunderstorms in Centre County, tornado watch is no longer in effect
8:30 p.m. update: The tornado watch is no longer in effect in Centre County.
6:45 p.m. update: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for southeastern Centre County until 7:15 p.m. Thursday. Severe storms with 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail were spotted along a line from Bald Eagle State Park to Julian. The warning includes Bellefonte, Woodward, Pleasant Gap, Zion, Centre Hall, Milesburg, Millheim, Aaronsburg, Rebersburg, Spring Mills and Coburn. It also covers part of Interstate 80 between the Milesburg and Lamar exits (mile markers 158 to 171) and Interstate 99 from mile markers 77 to 85. The tornado watch remains in effect until 11 p.m.
6:30 p.m. update: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 7 p.m. for northern Centre County, including Orviston and Howard. A severe thunderstorm was spotted over Bald Eagle State Park with 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. The storm is near Blanchard. The warning covers part of Interstate 80 between the Bellefonte and Loganton exits (mile markers 163 to 182).
6:20 p.m. update: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for central Centre County until 6:45 p.m. Thursday. A storm with 80 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail was spotted over Snow Shoe. The National Weather Service calls the storm “destructive” for the northern part of the county. Major tree damage and power outages are likely, the NWS says. Locations included in this warning are Bellefonte, Zion, Milesburg, Snow Shoe, Clarence, Moshannon, Julian and Unionville. The warning includes Interstate 99 from mile markers 83 to 85.
6 p.m. update: A severe thunderstorm warning is also in effect for northwestern Centre County until 7 p.m. Thursday. A storm was moving through the area with 70 mph wind gusts and hail, the National Weather Service said. The warning covers part of Interstate 80 between the Bellefonte and Loganton exits as well as Blanchard, Clarence, Pine Glen, Monument and Bald Eagle State Park.
The original story is below:
A tornado watch is in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday for Centre County and a large portion of central Pennsylvania.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday afternoon. The storms could be severe and bring large hail and damaging winds, the NWS said. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation Thursday night, mostly before 8 p.m.
A watch indicates tornadoes are possible in the area, while a warning indicates a tornado has actually been spotted.
The weather service advises people living in a watch area to review and discuss emergency plans and check supplies.
“Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching,” the service says. If a tornado is spotted, move quickly to a basement or small, interior room, the NWS advises.
This story was originally published June 16, 2022 at 3:29 PM.