An approaching cold front that ended a week long heat wave also triggered severe thunderstorms across eastern Pennsylvania during the afternoon and early evening on the 23rd. The majority of the wind and lightning damage occurred in southeastern Pennsylvania where PECO Energy reported about 35,000 homes and businesses lost power. A power outage caused significant delays and over a one hour shut down (from 430 p.m. EDT through 545 p.m. EDT) of Amtrak train service between Philadelphia and Boston. Five SEPTA Regional Rail Lines were also affected by the outage.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEHIGH, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 15:50:00 to 23-JUL-08 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: COPLAY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A severe thunderstorm knocked down a few trees and wires across eastern Lehigh County from Coplay Borough south. In Lower Saucon Township on Seidersville Road, a downed tree limb that tore down a wire caught on fire. About 140 homes and businesses lost power in the township.

Lightning in BUCKS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 14:15:00 to 23-JUL-08 14:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARKTOWN ESTATES
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A 21-year-old woman and a 3-year-old boy were struck and injured by lightning at the Brookside Swim and Tennis Club in Lower Makefield Township. They were running for shelter and passed under a 50-foot-tall evergreen tree when it was struck by lightning. The lightning traveled down the tree to the ground where it struck the woman. The lightning traveled up her body and exited out her arm to the boy. She suffered a first degree burn from a chain around her neck. The boy had an entrance and exit mark from the lightning and also injured his arm where we was holding onto her neck. The boy never lost consciousness, but the lady went into convulsions and lost consciousness. Both were hospitalized and survived.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUCKS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 14:15:00 to 23-JUL-08 14:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARKTOWN ESTATES
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A severe thunderstorm tore down a couple of trees, tree limbs and wires in Lower Makefield Township. PECO Energy reported about 7.000 homes and businesses lost power in Bucks County because of the severe thunderstorms and lightning.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 15:15:00 to 23-JUL-08 15:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLLEGEVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe thunderstorm dropped hail as large as nickels in Royersford and Collegeville.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 15:15:00 to 23-JUL-08 15:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROYERSFORD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A severe thunderstorm tore down several trees, tree limbs and wires across upper Montgomery County from Royersford in Limrick Township northeast through East Greenville Borough and North Hanover Township. A wind gust to 55 mph was measured in Royersford.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 15:50:00 to 23-JUL-08 15:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST GREENVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A Skywarn spotter reported penny size hail in East Greenville.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEHIGH, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 16:05:00 to 23-JUL-08 16:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALBURTIS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A severe thunderstorm knocked down several large tree limbs in Macungie. One large part of a tree damaged the roof of the former Weaver Mansion on Church Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 19:00:00 to 23-JUL-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OVERBROOK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A severe thunderstorm tore down a few trees in the Wynnefield, Queen Village, Washington Square and South Philadelphia areas of the city.

Lightning in DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 18:30:00 to 23-JUL-08 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOOTH CORNER
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A Bethel Township police officer and a firefighter were struck and injured by lightning at the Bethel Township fire house on Foulk Road. Lightning struck the building and moved down along its frame. The 22-year-old male officer was standing in the open garage area when he was tossed by the lightning and knocked unconscious. The female firefighter was sitting on the bumper of a fire truck when she was struck. She suffered tingling sensations. Both were hospitalized for observations and released on the 24th. The lightning strike itself damaged the garage door opener, telephone and electronics systems in the fire house.

Lightning in BUCKS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 14:10:00 to 23-JUL-08 14:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: YARDLEY FARMS
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning struck started a fire at a home on Alden Avenue in Lower Makefield Township. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and rescued the family dog.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 15:00:00 to 23-JUL-08 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PHOENIXVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A severe thunderstorm tore down a 60-foot tree onto a house in Phoenixville. It toppled onto the roof, damaged the chimney and blocked the front door. Downed large tree limbs were scattered throughout Phoenixville. Power was lost for four hours.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 15:35:00 to 23-JUL-08 15:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: AVONDALE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees and power lines were knocked down in Avondale Borough and New Garden Township. The heavy rain associated with the thunderstorms caused the rear wall of a building in Kenneth Square to collapse. the building was undergoing an expansion.

Lightning in MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 16:00:00 to 23-JUL-08 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRIDGEPORT
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike caused a fire at a Bed, Bath and Beyond store in Upper Merion Township. Lightning struck the roof and made a hole the size of a penny. It penetrated the right front area of the store's displays. The lightning set stacks of towels and other merchandise on fire. The store was evacuated. Eight fire companies battled the blaze and it was contained in a small area of the store. It was declared under control at 7 p.m. EDT. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 19:00:00 to 23-JUL-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WYNNEWOOD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A severe thunderstorm knocked down several trees in Lower Merion Township.

Hail in PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 18:56:00 to 23-JUL-08 18:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: (PHL)PHILADELPHIA IN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Penny size hail was observed at Philadelphia International Airport.

Lightning in NORTHAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA
From 23-JUL-08 16:28:00 to 23-JUL-08 16:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHERRYVILLE
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike created a three foot hole in the roof of the Allen Township Public Works building. The trusses of the building were not damaged. A canvas was placed over the hole until it was repaired.