SEL9
   
   URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 549
   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
   1250 PM EDT SUN JUL 4 2004
   
   THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF 
   
          EASTERN OHIO
          WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
          NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
          LAKE ERIE
   
   EFFECTIVE THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 1250 PM UNTIL 600
   PM EDT.
   
   HAIL TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70
   MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
   
   THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 80 STATUTE MILES
   EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 5 MILES WEST NORTHWEST OF ERIE
   PENNSYLVANIA TO 45 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF PARKERSBURG WEST
   VIRGINIA.
   
   REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
   FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
   PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
   WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
   WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
   TORNADOES.
   
   OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 547...WW 548...
   
   DISCUSSION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE ACROSS ERN OH ALONG/AHEAD
   OF SURFACE TROUGH AND MID LEVEL DRYING NOTED ON WV IMAGERY.  WITH
   MDT/STG INSTABILITY EWD INTO WRN PA/NRN WV STORMS WILL BECOME SEVERE
   WITH PRIMARILY A DAMAGING WIND THREAT GIVEN THE 30-40 KT OF DEEP
   LAYER SHEAR ACROSS THE AREA.
   
   AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
   TO 1 INCH. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS.
   A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION
   VECTOR 24035.
   
   
   ...HALES