1:50AM to 2:30AM on May 7th, 2024.
a Tornadic supercell thunderstorm that originated in central Ohio, had dropped a tornado in Eastern Ohio.
This parent thunderstorm's tornado, went on to reach high-end EF-2 strength (As of May 11th it was rated EF-2 with estimated winds of 130mph when it slammed I to Fairhaven, West Virginia.)
It was about the time it was impacting Fairhaven, that I noticed thunder in the distance. And having been under the impression that the central Ohio storms were meant to significantly weaken, if not die, before reaching PA, I was confused but curious. and I checked Blitzortung.org (A lightning tracking website)
And saw one of the most intense lightning storms I'd ever seen in this area in 12 years, heading right for us!
I went to front-sunroom to watch, as I always do. It was at that time, that a tornado warning was issued around 1:30AM. But thus wasn't like the one to three warnings we have around here in a given year...this one was directly aimed at my location (A suburb of Pittsburgh called Crafton/Ingram)
Not only that...the radar presentation was strong. and newer technology allowing for the detection of Tornadic debris...has a strong solid debris signature....also heading right for us!
Having taken the first warningseriously, myself and the roomates began to prepare...But weren't too too concerned at first....but then, at about 1:45AM, a second/extention of the warning g included us all the way to Pittsburgh's downtown. STILL with an obvious radar debris signature.
We decided time was up and waiting was no longer and option!
We scrambled cats into carriers and grabbed as many blankets as possible. And while we finished evacuating to basement....my last task was a pile of blankets! I decided to carefully balance my phone in the outside 2nd floor window sill and leave it on 🔴RECORD🔴
This storm dropped up to 4 tornadoes, the 3rd amd closest of which touched down about 8 to 10 miles from us. And the circulation missed us by about 2 to 4 miles to our south. It went on to drop another, final EF-1 near Ligoneir in Westmoreland County to our east.
Though it was a seriously close call for us in this specific area...The wind barely picked up. And even the 1" diameter hail that fell about 5 to 10 minutes in....can't be heard. Just raindrops hitting the phone for a brief moment or two. If anything this is a great #ASMR rain amd thunder video.
BUT! DO NOT let the seemingly peaceful nature of this video deceive you!
Stay safe everyone!