3/16/26 Severe Weather Event Thread (Moderate -> Enhanced -> Slight) RESULT: Significant wind after dark

[Bob Chill]

5 hours ago, katabatic said:

This is my 4th winter here and wrt Wisp, this was their best season of the last 4. In fact, each year since the 22-23 dud, it's gotten better (not saying much, I know). Hopefully next year, we'll get a couple of bona fide coastals that bury us. Since they threw in the towel, the Wisp employees are in limbo right now and the ~25 J1 visa employees have all returned to South America. It's that weird intra-seasonal space between ski and golf season where it's tough to get anything done there. Looking outside, occasional snow showers continue and temp is still at 19. Not too shabby for St. Patty's Day 

 

When I lived in CO ski country I used to go through that same weird transition. The month of May is the single worst time to visit or live in ski country. We called it mud season. Everything soggy, rivers too high to fish, lakes still frozen, and too much leftover snowpack for back country hiking/biking. It really sucked.

After my first season I learned and would  take the whole month off and travel to see friends in the east. Then my summer job would start memorial day weekend. Deep creek is totally similar. I recommend traveling and partying heavily until the lake season kicks in hahaha

[diatae]

Flurries in La Plata! Snow town baby!

[CAPE]

12 hours ago, CAPE said:

411
NOUS41 KPHI 171906
PNSPHI
DEZ001>004-MDZ012-015-019-020-NJZ001-007>010-012>027-PAZ054-055-
060>062-070-071-101>106-180715-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
306 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...CONFIRMED EF-1 TORNADO IN CAROLINE COUNTY MARYLAND...
...EXTENSIVE STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE CONFIRMED IN QUEEN ANNE`S
COUNTY MARYLAND...

A survey team from the National Weather Service office in Mount
Holly, New Jersey has confirmed a tornado occurred last night in
Ridgely, Maryland (Caroline County). The preliminary result is an
an EF-1 with maximum winds to 100 mph.

The survey team also examined significant wind damage that occurred
last night between Sudlersville and Millington in Maryland (Queen
Anne`s County). The preliminary result is that extensive
straight-line winds occurred with speeds between 70-90 mph.

The survey team is currently in Kent County, Delaware.

A final assessment including all of the details are expected to
be completed and transmitted via a Public Information Statement
sometime this evening.

The storm survey information will also be available on our
website at http://www.weather.gov/phi

$$

Gorse

@AlexD1990

@JakkelWx

Updated-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
724 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...CONFIRMED EF-1 TORNADO IN CAROLINE COUNTY MARYLAND... 
...EXTENSIVE STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE CONFIRMED IN QUEEN ANNE'S 
COUNTY MARYLAND...
...CONFIRMED EF-1 TORNADO IN KENT COUNTY DELAWARE...

The survey team from the National Weather Service office has
confirmed a tornado occurred Monday evening near Frederica,
Delaware (Kent County). The preliminary rating is an EF-1 with
estimated maximum wind speed of 100 mph. 

Additional extensive wind damage near Camden Delaware remains
under review. Preliminary estimate of maximum wind speed in this
area is 100 mph. A determination if this was straight line wind or
tornado damage will be coming later.

Previously the survey team had confirmed a tornado occurred Monday
evening in Ridgely, Maryland (Caroline County). The preliminary 
rating of this tornado is an EF-1 with maximum winds to 100 mph.

The survey team also examined significant wind damage that
occurred between Sudlersville and Millington in Maryland (Queen 
Anne's County). The preliminary result is that extensive straight-
line winds occurred with speeds between 70-90 mph.

A final assessment including all of the details are expected to 
be completed and transmitted via a Public Information Statement 
on Wednesday.

[Eskimo Joe]

On 3/17/2026 at 11:40 AM, SnowenOutThere said:

Love the SPC, but wondering how many of those reports occurred with the ending squall line which went through after they dropped percentages. I think they were completely justified in their 4/5 risk (and twitter/public mets retroactively throwing them under the bus suck) but its also fair to say that while justified the forecast failed. A failed forecast is not necessarily a bad one though. You have to warn for the high end in case it happens, hopefully people don't think next time its a boy cry wolf situation.

Unpopular opinion: SPC was correct with the initial forecast. They should have trimmed the tornado risk back but not the wind. We were an hour of partly sunny skies away from having that second line get enough juice to wreck a lot of stuff. 

I worked this event. We rarely get calls in western portions of Montgomery County where it's very rural. Our 911 calls were coming in just minutes after that line was racing through, which is an indication to us that bad things are inbound. We got lucky it trended south towards the Potomac River over a largely unpopulated section of the county. There are some terrible takes on social media from terminally online weather folks that a Day 2 Mod risk didn't turn into the next April 27, 2011.

[SnowenOutThere]

3 hours ago, Eskimo Joe said:

Unpopular opinion: SPC was correct with the initial forecast. They should have trimmed the tornado risk back but not the wind. We were an hour of partly sunny skies away from having that second line get enough juice to wreck a lot of stuff. 

I worked this event. We rarely get calls in western portions of Montgomery County where it's very rural. Our 911 calls were coming in just minutes after that linenwas racing through, which is an indication to us that bad things are inbound. We got lucky it trended down towards the Potomac River over a largely unpopulated section of the county. 

I think this is a fair take for nova and areas that got the final line. However, I’m in central VA and that second line had nothing to work with so for areas around where I was it really was a slight risk in practice. I do think the core of this issue might be the new system. When the SPC issues a 4/5 risk for wind I think it should call for something more than what occurred Monday. While it was a legitimate severe day for parts of the region, I wonder what happens if we get a storm that fulfills a slightly higher risk? Do we say it’s a 5/5 risk? That seems unfair when I think a true 5/5 risk should be a plains deracho with swaths of 90+ mph winds. These 4/5 and 5/5 events should feel rare and exceptional and are labeled as such to spur the public to action. 

[zwyts]

17 hours ago, WEATHER53 said:

No one would ever fess up to what got M*tt in trouble. I think it was that god  awful off topic shit slinger children’s forum and your Jewish faith?

what’s the Philly story?

That's in the past as far as I'm concerned. i just wanna talk weather.  If they ever have OT again, I don't want to be a part of it and I won't be allowed anyway lol. 

Philly is for a number of reasons - but mostly family.  I have a ton of family there.  And I'm from there.  

[Eskimo Joe]

10 minutes ago, zwyts said:

That's in the past as far as I'm concerned. i just wanna talk weather.  If they ever have OT again, I don't want to be a part of it and I won't be allowed anyway lol. 

Philly is for a number of reasons - but mostly family.  I have a ton of family there.  And I'm from there.  

Hello fellow Philly Dilly. Grew up in Roxborough in the 90s.

[TSSN+]

1 hour ago, SnowenOutThere said:

I think this is a fair take for nova and areas that got the final line. However, I’m in central VA and that second line had nothing to work with so for areas around where I was it really was a slight risk in practice. I do think the core of this issue might be the new system. When the SPC issues a 4/5 risk for wind I think it should call for something more than what occurred Monday. While it was a legitimate severe day for parts of the region, I wonder what happens if we get a storm that fulfills a slightly higher risk? Do we say it’s a 5/5 risk? That seems unfair when I think a true 5/5 risk should be a plains deracho with swaths of 90+ mph winds. These 4/5 and 5/5 events should feel rare and exceptional and are labeled as such to spur the public to action. 

It was not a moderate risk by any definition. Just cause there was a lot of small wind reports does not a moderate make. You need 75+mph wind reports and ef2+ tornadoes. Again moderate risk are rare and what we had the other day happens regularly around here. If that was a moderate risk how was this day a slight risk down south? 

[TSSN+]

6 minutes ago, TSSN+ said:

It was not a moderate risk by any definition. Just cause there was a lot of small wind reports does not a moderate make. You need 75+mph wind reports and ef2 tornadoes. Again moderate risk are rare and what we had the other day happens regularly around here. If that was a moderate risk how was this day a slight risk down south? 

Again basically nothing here that shows a moderate risk. A couple tree limbs down ain’t no widespread outbreak. It was an enhanced day maybe DC ne to NJ that’s it. 
 

 

[Eskimo Joe]

47 minutes ago, TSSN+ said:

It was not a moderate risk by any definition. Just cause there was a lot of small wind reports does not a moderate make. You need 75+mph wind reports and ef2+ tornadoes. Again moderate risk are rare and what we had the other day happens regularly around here. If that was a moderate risk how was this day a slight risk down south? 

IMO, that was under forecast by SPC along Dixie Alley. It's similar to how they under forecast the 2012 derecho. 

[ravensrule]

2 hours ago, zwyts said:

That's in the past as far as I'm concerned. i just wanna talk weather.  If they ever have OT again, I don't want to be a part of it and I won't be allowed anyway lol. 

Philly is for a number of reasons - but mostly family.  I have a ton of family there.  And I'm from there.  

Hopefully they don't have OT again, that was the real cesspool of humanity. Those so called human beings shouldn't be allowed to post anywhere. Good luck on your move and please keep posting in the Mid Atlantic weather section. 

[zwyts]

24 minutes ago, ravensrule said:

Hopefully they don't have OT again, that was the real cesspool of humanity. Those so called human beings shouldn't be allowed to post anywhere. Good luck on your move and please keep posting in the Mid Atlantic weather section. 

Thanks.  I'll probably move this fall.  Maybe Sep/Oct.  

I'm not interested in resurrecting old battles.  I've moved on.  I just want to post about weather.

[Eskimo Joe]

This circulation passed just west of the fire department I volunteer at. Video of this tornado was captured at the EOC. A lot of leg work went into this survey.

 

[CAPE]

13 hours ago, CAPE said:

Updated-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
724 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026

...CONFIRMED EF-1 TORNADO IN CAROLINE COUNTY MARYLAND... 
...EXTENSIVE STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE CONFIRMED IN QUEEN ANNE'S 
COUNTY MARYLAND...
...CONFIRMED EF-1 TORNADO IN KENT COUNTY DELAWARE...

The survey team from the National Weather Service office has
confirmed a tornado occurred Monday evening near Frederica,
Delaware (Kent County). The preliminary rating is an EF-1 with
estimated maximum wind speed of 100 mph. 

Additional extensive wind damage near Camden Delaware remains
under review. Preliminary estimate of maximum wind speed in this
area is 100 mph. A determination if this was straight line wind or
tornado damage will be coming later.

Previously the survey team had confirmed a tornado occurred Monday
evening in Ridgely, Maryland (Caroline County). The preliminary 
rating of this tornado is an EF-1 with maximum winds to 100 mph.

The survey team also examined significant wind damage that
occurred between Sudlersville and Millington in Maryland (Queen 
Anne's County). The preliminary result is that extensive straight-
line winds occurred with speeds between 70-90 mph.

A final assessment including all of the details are expected to 
be completed and transmitted via a Public Information Statement 
on Wednesday.

Final detailed report-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
256 PM EDT Wed Mar 18 2026

...NWS Damage Survey for 03/16/26 Tornado and Wind Damage Event...

.Overview...

On the evening of March 16, 2026 a narrow but intense line of 
storms along a strong cold front progressed through Delmarva, 
southeastern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Wind damage consistent 
with straight line winds of 60 to 70 mph was observed in many 
locations across the region. There were pockets of more intense 
damage listed below. 

The National Weather Service would like to thank our county 
emergency management partners for their help in our surveys.

.Ridgely Maryland Tornado...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90-100 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.9 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   250 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             March 16, 2026
Start Time:             10:26 PM EDT
Start Location:         2.7 Miles SSE Ridgely / Caroline County / MD
Start Lat/Lon:          38.9086 / -75.8742

End Date:               March 16, 2026
End Time:               10:29 PM EDT
End Location:           2.2 Miles SE Ridgely / Caroline County / MD
End Lat/Lon:            38.9195 / -75.8641

Survey Summary: 

A narrow path of damage began shortly beyond the intersection of 
Route 404 and Holly Road and continued east towards the 
intersection of Holly Road and Central Avenue. The damage path 
began at two residences. One residence had minor roof damage. At 
the other residence, the roof of a barn was blown off along with 
all walls collapsed. Debris from the barn was thrown over a 
quarter mile away into open fields. There was a horse trailer that
was thrown across the yard and flipped multiple times. Multiple 
windows on the first floor of the house were blown out. 

Significant tree damage was then observed beyond both of these 
properties as multiple large softwood trees were uprooted with 
large branches also snapped. Damage continued to the east with 
multiple large tree branches snapped in a more wooded area. Near 
the intersection with Central Avenue, the damage ended with 
multiple trees snapped or uprooted in this area marking the end of
the damage path.


.Frederica Delaware Tornado...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90-100 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.7 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   75 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             March 16, 2026
Start Time:             10:48 PM EDT 
Start Location:         2.1 miles SSW Frederica / Kent County / DE
Start Lat/Lon:          38.9841 / -75.4940

End Date:               March 16, 2026
End Time:               10:49 PM EDT
End Location:           1.9 miles S Frederica / Kent County / DE
End Lat/Lon:            38.9833 / -75.4810

Survey Summary: 

Tree damage started at the intersection of Carpenter Bridge Road 
and Fork Landing Road, where multiple trees were uprooted and 
snapped. Tree damage continued eastward along Fork Landing Road, 
including multiple trees snapped. One snapped tree fell into a 
shed, destroying the shed. Tree damage was observed along Fork 
Landing Road until just before Browns Branch.

.Ridgely Maryland Thunderstorm Wind...

Peak Wind /E/:          80-90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.22 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   75 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             March 16, 2026
Start Time:             10:24 PM EDT
Start Location:         2.4 miles SSW Ridgely / Caroline County / MD
Start Lat/Lon:          38.9147 / -75.9027

End Date:               March 16, 2026
End Time:               10:24 PM EDT
End Location:           2.3 miles S Ridgely / Caroline County / MD
End Lat/Lon:            38.9154 / -75.8987

Survey Summary: 

A brief area of significant wind damage occurred along Saathoff 
Road. The start of the path of wind damage involved the complete 
roof removal of a farm outbuilding with one wall collapsed inward.
Metal roofing material was then scattered downstream to the east 
into an open field. Beyond the open field, there was some tree 
damage including one softwood tree snapped at the trunk. 
Additional damage beyond this tree line along Saathoff Road 
quickly lessened showing the end of the path of significant wind 
damage. This damage was separate but approximately 1.3 miles west 
of the starting point of the Ridgely tornado.


.Millington Road Thunderstorm Wind...

Peak Wind /E/:          80-90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  1.9 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1 mile
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             March 16, 2026
Start Time:             10:24 PM EDT
Start Location:         1.8 miles NW Sudlersville / Queen Anne's / MD
Start Lat/Lon:          39.2084 / -75.8807

End Date:               March 16, 2026
End Time:               10:29 PM EDT
End Location:           2.2 miles N Sudlersville / Queen Anne's / MD
End Lat/Lon:            39.2192 / -75.8474

Survey Summary: 

Along Coleman Road, the start of significant wind damage occurred
as multiple trees were uprooted and large tree branches were 
snapped. A farm outbuilding also experienced removal of metal 
roofing that was scattered to the east into an open field. As the 
swath of wind damage continued, there was additional farm 
outbuilding damage near Mud Ford Lane as the roof of an 
outbuilding was removed with the debris being scattered to the 
east up to half a mile away. It was at this point that the damage 
path width was at its widest, with about one mile from the damage 
on Coleman Road to the damage on Mud Ford Lane.

The damage continued towards Millington Road where multiple power
poles were snapped, large tree branches were snapped, and 
additional metal roofing was peeled off a farm outbuilding. 
Significant wind damage was estimated to have ended near Higman 
Mill Road as the last point of damage was metal roofing removed 
from another farm outbuilding.


.Camden Delaware Thunderstorm Wind...

Peak Wind /E/:          90-100 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.7 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   400 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               1

Start Date:             March 16, 2026
Start Time:             10:39 PM EDT
Start Location:         5.0 miles W Camden / Kent / DE
Start Lat/Lon:          39.1107 / -75.6362

End Date:               March 16, 2026
End Time:               10:40 PM EDT
End Location:           4.3 miles W Camden / Kent / DE
End Lat/Lon:            39.1133 / -75.6228

Survey Summary: 

Tree damage was first observed on Honeysuckle Road just south of 
the intersection with Westville Road. The highest degree of damage
was noted near the intersection of Probst Lane and Westville 
Road. Several trees were snapped, including multiple trees that 
fell onto mobile homes. One injury was reported in this location. 
Sporadic tree damage was observed further east near and along 
Quail Run. Based on the debris direction, this was determined to 
be straight line wind damage.