Overview
A record warm air mass enveloped the mid-Atlantic on March 7, 2022. Temperatures soared into the 70s and locally near 80 degrees, with many climate sites breaking their daily records. By the evening hours, a strong cold front approached the region, associated with a strengthening area of low pressure tracking through upstate New York and into New England. In a classic cool season severe weather setup, a small amount of instability developed ahead of the front. Combined with very strong wind fields and forcing, a low topped squall line developed just ahead of the front. The squall line moved through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delmarva during the mid to late evening hours on the 7th. As usual in these setups, lightning was limited, but the line produced widespread wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph throughout the area. This led to numerous reports of downed trees and power outages, with tens of thousands of customers at least briefly losing power as the line moved through. Gusty winds also continued behind the front in association with cold air advection following the frontal passage. These winds gradually diminished through the night as the front moved offshore, and a more seasonably cool air mass moved in to follow. |
KDIX radar reflectivity at approximately 30 minute intervals from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM EST March 7, 2022, showing the evolution of the squall line which affected the region. NWS Severe Thunderstorm (yellow), Special Marine (Teal) and Local Storm Reports are overlaid. Click to enlarge. |
Synoptic Overview at 12z 7 Mar 2022 (courtesy of SPC)
Figure 1: 250-mb analysis | Figure 2: 300-mb analysis | Figure 3: 500-mb analysis |
Figure 4: 700-mb analysis | Figure 5: 850-mb analysis | Figure 6: 925-mb analysis |
Synoptic Overview at 00z 8 Mar 2022 (courtesy of SPC)
Figure 7: 250-mb analysis | Figure 8: 300-mb analysis | Figure 9: 500-mb analysis |
Figure 10: 700-mb analysis | Figure 11: 850-mb analysis | Figure 12: 925-mb analysis |
Surface Maps (courtesy of WPC)
Figure 13: 15z surface map | Figure 14: 18z surface map | Figure 15: 21z surface map |
Figure 16: 00z surface map | Figure 17: 03z surface map | Figure 18: 06z surface map |
Figure 19: 12z Albany, NY sounding | Figure 20: 12z Sterling, VA sounding | Figure 21: 12z Wallops Island, VA sounding |
Figure 22: 00z Albany, NY sounding | Figure 23: 00z Sterling, VA sounding | Figure 24: 00z Wallops Island, VA sounding |
Figure 1: National Preliminary Reports 12z 7 Mar 2022 to 12z 8 Mar 2022 | Figure 2: Zoomed Preliminary Reports for the same period. | Figure 3: Prelim Reports vs. 1630z SPC Convective Outlook |
Click here for a county warning area based plot of local storm reports and warnings/advisories issued for the 7 Mar 2022 event.
NWUS51 KPHI 080847 LSRPHI PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 347 AM EST TUE MAR 8 2022 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0806 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 ENE WERNERSVILLE 40.33N 76.07W 03/07/2022 BERKS PA PUBLIC 1 INCH TREE LIMBS BROKEN; SHINGLES BLOWN OFF. 0826 PM TSTM WND GST FORKS TWP 40.73N 75.19W 03/07/2022 M66 MPH NORTHAMPTON PA TRAINED SPOTTER POWER KNOCKED OUT. 0830 PM TSTM WND GST FORKS TWP 40.73N 75.19W 03/07/2022 E60 MPH NORTHAMPTON PA PUBLIC DOWNED TREE; TREE KNOCKED OVER FULL SIZE METAL BASKETBALL HOOP STAND. 0843 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NW TRAPPE 40.23N 75.52W 03/07/2022 MONTGOMERY PA PUBLIC TREE REPORTED DOWN IN LIMERICK, PA. 0844 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WNW HACKETTSTOWN 40.85N 74.84W 03/07/2022 WARREN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER DOWNED TREE ON POWER LINES. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0844 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 N HACKETTSTOWN 40.86N 74.83W 03/07/2022 WARREN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER DOWN TREE ON POWER LINES ON 6TH STREET. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0844 PM TSTM WND DMG HACKETTSTOWN 40.86N 74.83W 03/07/2022 WARREN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER TREES DOWN ON TWO CARS. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0845 PM TSTM WND DMG NOCKAMIXON TWP 40.54N 75.17W 03/07/2022 BUCKS PA PUBLIC WIRES DOWN ON MARIENSTEIN ROAD. 0850 PM TSTM WND GST SKIPPACK TWP 40.23N 75.41W 03/07/2022 M56 MPH MONTGOMERY PA TRAINED SPOTTER PENNY SIZE HAIL. 0857 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NW STEWARTSVILLE 40.70N 75.12W 03/07/2022 WARREN NJ PUBLIC DOWNED TREE AND DOWNED WIRES ON NJ 57 BOTH DIRECTIONS OF CR 637 / LIBERTY ROAD. 0858 PM TSTM WND DMG KINNELON 41.00N 74.38W 03/07/2022 MORRIS NJ PUBLIC TREE BLOWN DOWN AND KNOCKED OUT TRANSFORMER. 0859 PM TSTM WND GST DOYLESTOWN AIRPORT 40.33N 75.12W 03/07/2022 M54 MPH BUCKS PA ASOS 0900 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSE LAMBERTVILLE 40.36N 74.94W 03/07/2022 HUNTERDON NJ PUBLIC DOWNED TREE ON NJ 29 NORTHBOUND SOUTH OF WEEDEN ST (LAMBERTVILLE). 0900 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NNE BASKING RIDGE 40.73N 74.54W 03/07/2022 MORRIS NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS DOWNED TREE ON I-287 SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF EXIT 30 - NORTH MAPLE AVE (HARDING TWP). 0900 PM TSTM WND GST CHATHAM 40.74N 74.38W 03/07/2022 M62 MPH MORRIS NJ PUBLIC 0900 PM TSTM WND DMG CHATHAM 40.74N 74.38W 03/07/2022 MORRIS NJ PUBLIC MULTIPLE TREE LIMBS DOWN ON ROADWAYS. VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 0905 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNE CHATHAM 40.75N 74.38W 03/07/2022 MORRIS NJ TRAINED SPOTTER SNAPPED TREES AND BRANCHES IN AREA. ONE NEIGHBOR HAD A TREE UPROOTED AND ANOTHER HAD A LIMB FALL ON THEIR HOME. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0906 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE FAR HILLS 40.67N 74.62W 03/07/2022 SOMERSET NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS DOWNED TREE ON I-287 NORTHBOUND NORTH OF EXIT 22 - US 202 (FAR HILLS). 0911 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NE FAR HILLS 40.69N 74.63W 03/07/2022 SOMERSET NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS DOWNED TREE ON US 202 BOTH DIRECTIONS NORTH OF CR 512 / SUNNYBRANCH ROAD. 0913 PM TSTM WND DMG RANDOLPH 40.85N 74.57W 03/07/2022 MORRIS NJ PUBLIC BASKETBALL HOOP BLOWN OVER (ESTIMATED WEIGHT OF 200 LBS ON THE BASE); POWER OUT. 0914 PM TSTM WND GST BUTLER 41.00N 74.34W 03/07/2022 M52 MPH MORRIS NJ PUBLIC 0920 PM TSTM WND DMG LEVITTOWN 40.16N 74.89W 03/07/2022 BUCKS PA PUBLIC SEVERAL TREES AND WIRES DOWN ACROSS LOWER BUCKS COUNTY. TIMES ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0920 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 WSW TRENTON MERCER AI 40.26N 74.84W 03/07/2022 MERCER NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS DOWNED TREE ON I-295 NORTHBOUND SOUTH OF EXIT 76 - NJ 29 (EWING TWP). 0920 PM TSTM WND DMG BENSALEM 40.11N 74.93W 03/07/2022 BUCKS PA TRAINED SPOTTER PART OF ROOF SIDING TORN OFF. 0922 PM TSTM WND GST LEVITTOWN 40.16N 74.89W 03/07/2022 M68 MPH BUCKS PA PUBLIC MEASURED ON A PERSONAL ANEMOMETER. 0925 PM TSTM WND GST PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIO 39.88N 75.22W 03/07/2022 M67 MPH PHILADELPHIA PA OTHER FEDERAL 0930 PM TSTM WND DMG BURLINGTON 40.07N 74.85W 03/07/2022 BURLINGTON NJ DEPT OF HIGHWAYS DOWNED TREE ON US 130 NORTHBOUND SOUTH OF CR 670 / JACKSONVILLE ROAD. 0935 PM TSTM WND GST 1 WNW SOUTH JERSEY REGI 39.94N 74.86W 03/07/2022 E50 MPH BURLINGTON NJ NWS EMPLOYEE DAVIS INSTRUMENT MEASURED 37 MPH BUT IS BLOCKED BY TREES; ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WINDS AT LOCATION 50 MPH. 0946 PM TSTM WND GST 2 E FORT DIX 40.02N 74.59W 03/07/2022 M60 MPH BURLINGTON NJ AWOS MCGUIRE AFB. 0957 PM TSTM WND GST 3 ESE FARMINGDALE 40.19N 74.12W 03/07/2022 M59 MPH MONMOUTH NJ AWOS MONMOUTH EXECUTIVE AIRPORT. 1000 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SSW LAKEWOOD TWP 40.06N 74.23W 03/07/2022 OCEAN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER LARGE TREE BLOWN OVER ONTO TWO VEHICLES ON CROSS STREET. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 1003 PM TSTM WND GST HOWELL 40.16N 74.22W 03/07/2022 E55 MPH MONMOUTH NJ PUBLIC WINDS ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH. 1014 PM TSTM WND GST BELMAR 40.18N 74.02W 03/07/2022 M59 MPH MONMOUTH NJ PUBLIC REPORT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 1020 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 2 SSW MANTOLOKING 40.01N 74.06W 03/07/2022 M61 MPH OCEAN NJ MESONET 1029 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 2 E WARETOWN 39.79N 74.17W 03/07/2022 M48 MPH ANZ451 NJ MESONET && $$
NOUS41 KPHI 081911 PNSPHI DEZ001>004-MDZ012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-055-060>062-070- 071-101>106-090711- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 211 PM EST Tue Mar 8 2022 ...HIGHEST WIND REPORTS FROM MARCH 7, 2022... Location Speed Time/Date Provider ...Delaware... ...Kent County... Dover 53 MPH 0156 PM 03/07 AWOS St. Jones River Dover 37 MPH 0210 PM 03/07 DEOS2 St. Jones River Kitts Hummoc 36 MPH 0220 PM 03/07 DEOS2 ...Sussex County... Lewes NOS 40 MPH 0212 PM 03/07 NOS-NWLON Selbyville 38 MPH 0315 PM 03/07 CWOP Broad Creek Laurel 35 MPH 0210 PM 03/07 DEOS2 Lewes DE-University 35 MPH 0315 PM 03/07 DEOS2 Rehoboth Bay Milton 33 MPH 0200 PM 03/07 DEOS2 ...New Jersey... ...Atlantic County... Pleasantville Point 30 MPH 0217 PM 03/07 WXFLOW ...Burlington County... 2 E Fort Dix 60 MPH 0946 PM 03/07 AWOS 1 WNW South Jersey Regional 50 MPH 0935 PM 03/07 NWS Employee Lumberton 33 MPH 0310 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Gloucester County... Logan Twp. 39 MPH 0320 PM 03/07 NJWXNET Mickleton 33 MPH 0159 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Hunterdon County... Ringoes 31 MPH 0219 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Mercer County... Ewing 34 MPH 0230 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Middlesex County... Perth Amboy 54 MPH 0233 PM 03/07 WXFLOW Carteret 35 MPH 0205 PM 03/07 CWOP New Brunswick 35 MPH 0215 PM 03/07 NJWXNET Edison 32 MPH 0245 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Monmouth County... 3 ESE Farmingdale 59 MPH 0957 PM 03/07 AWOS Belmar 59 MPH 1014 PM 03/07 Public Howell 55 MPH 1003 PM 03/07 Public 1 SW Long Branch 43 MPH 0955 PM 03/07 CO-OP Observer Keyport 37 MPH 0300 PM 03/07 CWOP Holmdel 31 MPH 0305 PM 03/07 NJWXNET ...Morris County... Chatham 62 MPH 0900 PM 03/07 Public Butler 52 MPH 0914 PM 03/07 Public ...Ocean County... Trixies 34 MPH 0239 PM 03/07 WXFLOW Beach Haven 33 MPH 0206 PM 03/07 CWOP Brick 33 MPH 0231 PM 03/07 CWOP Seaside Heights 33 MPH 0247 PM 03/07 WXFLOW Mantoloking 31 MPH 0240 PM 03/07 WXFLOW Brick 30 MPH 0250 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Pennsylvania... ...Berks County... Fleetwood 42 MPH 0245 PM 03/07 CWOP Reading 37 MPH 0223 PM 03/07 ASOS Mertztown 31 MPH 0245 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Bucks County... Levittown 68 MPH 0922 PM 03/07 Public Doylestown Airport 54 MPH 0859 PM 03/07 ASOS Newbold NOS 43 MPH 0230 PM 03/07 NOS-PORTS Newtown 37 MPH 0255 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Delaware County... Thornton 37 MPH 0249 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Lehigh County... Trexler 34 MPH 0243 PM 03/07 RAWS Lehigh Valley Intl Airport 33 MPH 0231 PM 03/07 ASOS ...Montgomery County... Skippack Twp 56 MPH 0850 PM 03/07 Trained Spotter ...Northampton County... Forks Twp 66 MPH 0826 PM 03/07 Trained Spotter Forks Twp 60 MPH 0830 PM 03/07 Public Nazareth 37 MPH 0230 PM 03/07 CWOP ...Philadelphia County... Philadelphia International A 67 MPH 0925 PM 03/07 Other Federal &&
Notable Radar Imagery (AWIPS)
Figure 1: KDIX radar reflectivity (top) and base velocity (bottom) for the 0.5 degree elevation angle valid at 0121 UTC 8 March 2022. A segment of the squall line is seen. Two wind gusts at or above 60 mph were reported from Forks Twp, PA. The radar imagery indicates somewhat of a bowing structure as well as enhanced velocities in the area of Forks Twp, which supports the enhanced gusts recorded in that area. | Figure 2: Same as Figure 1, valid 0224 UTC. A 68 mph wind gust was reported in Levittown, PA. Once again, reflectivity and velocity data support the idea that enhanced wind values were likely to occur in that area, with a large area of inbound velocities of 50 to 60 kt seen in what appears to be a rear inflow jet feature. |
Figure 3: Same as Figure 1, looped from 0145 to 0200 UTC 8 March 2022. The most interesting radar signature of the night occurred in northern Somerset County, NJ, in the area of Peapack and Gladstone and Bernardsville. The segment of the squall line which produced the strong winds in Forks Twp moved into this area about half an hour later. The radar loop reveals significant structural changes as the line moved through this area. Specifically, the reflectivity data shows the development of a classic “broken S” signature, and the velocity data shows clear indication of some rotation, though it appears to remain fairly broad. Broken S signatures have been connected to damaging tornadic and non-tornadic thunderstorms mainly associated with QLCS events like this (see papers by McAvoy et al., Grumm and Glazewski, Reinoso-Rondinel et al.) Significant tree damage was reported in the area of Peapack and Gladstone (see Figure 4). The radar data at least leaves open the possibility that a brief tornado occurred in this area. However, it is inconclusive, and the damage pattern seen was generally more indicative of straight line winds, so this has been designated a straight line wind event with estimated wind speeds up to 90 mph. | Figure 4: Tree damage in Peapack Gladstone (all on or around the same property) produced by the storm seen in Figure 3. Multiple medium to large size trees are snapped, corresponding to wind speeds around 80 to 90 mph. The pattern of damage is generally characteristic of straight line wind damage. Other reports of tree and utility damage were received from the surrounding area. Photos courtesy of the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management and Bernardsville Police Department. |
Figure 5: TPHL radar reflectivity (top) and base velocity (bottom) for the 0.4 degree elevation angle valid 0215 UTC 8 March 2022. An FAA wind sensor at Philadelphia International Airport measured a 67 mph wind gust as the squall line moved over the airport. Reflectivity values were less impressive further south along the line (though the low values seen here are partially a result of the limitations of TDWR radars). However, velocity values remained strong, and severe wind gusts were even produced further south on Delmarva where very little in the way of precipitation fell as the line moved through. | Figure 6: Same as Figure 1, valid 0308 UTC March 8. The squall line continued to produce strong winds as it approached the coast. By this point, the line has moved past the KDIX radar, and the strong velocities now appear as red (outbound) values. A velocity maximum of 60 to 70 kt at just a few hundred feet above the ground can be seen west of Toms River, NJ. |
NOUS41 KPHI 161200 PNSPHI NJZ009-010-170000- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 800 AM EDT Wed Mar 16 2022 ...NWS Damage Survey for 03/07/2022 Thunderstorm Wind Event - Update #1... .Update...Update to include wind damage from Northern Hunterdon County, and adjusted the start time and location of the Somerset County damage. On Monday evening, March 7, 2022, a narrow convective line crossed through the region producing considerable wind damage. Significant damage occurred in northern Hunterdon and Somerset Counties under the velocity maximum of this line. .Glen Gardner Thunderstorm Wind... Peak Wind /Estimated/: 80-90 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.3 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: March 07 2022 Start Time: 08:35 PM EST Start Location: Glen Gardner Start Lat/Lon: 40.7039 / -74.9450 End Date: March 07 2022 End Time: 08:36 PM EST End Location: Glen Gardner End Lat/Lon: 40.7064 / -74.9419 Along Bell Avenue, there was a path of significant tree damage across multiple properties. Several trees were uprooted and a few softwood trees were snapped. Trees fell on electrical wires causing damage to a nearby residence. Tree damage continued in a path towards the railroad tracks at Bell Avenue. .Peapack-Gladstone to Bernardsville Thunderstorm Wind... Peak Wind /Estimated/: 80-90 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.4 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: March 07 2022 Start Time: 08:47 PM EST Start Location: 1 WSW Gladstone Start Lat/Lon: 40.7190 / -74.6790 End Date: March 07 2022 End Time: 08:55 PM EST End Location: 2 N Bernardsville End Lat/Lon: 40.7400 / -74.5790 Starting near Fowler Road and Highway 206, there was a path of tree and wire damage up to a few hundred yards wide. Along Sheephill Drive in Peapack-Gladstone, several large pine trees were snapped. The tree trunks were fallen in a uniform direction indicating a narrow path of enhanced wind speeds. Along this same path, damage was noted at various locations in Bernardsville. A wooden power pole was snapped, as well as several trees uprooted and at least one other tree snapped. Path of the worst damage was narrow, but there was widespread other tree damage across this area. The National Weather Service would like to thank Emergency Management in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties, the borough of Peapack and Gladstone, Bernardsville Police Department, and members of the general public for their assistance with this survey. && NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ Johnson/AKL