MGorse

Yup, I had the backdoor open before the squall arrived and could hear the roar of the wind approaching. Classic low-topped squall line.

Power flickered and saw several power flashes in the distance. Peak gust to 56 mph.

This is how these types of events have been treated for decades. Also, not every spot in a warning experiences wind damage.

Wrong message? This line has produced wind gusts to 68 mph. No AI. OMG!

There is no AI influence in NWS warnings. They are issued by trained Meteorologists.

Showers are convective as well. I know it seems odd having a Severe Thunderstorm Warning with no lightning, but that is the best way the NWS can handle these types of events.

68 mph gust at the Reading airport! SPECI KRDG 170213Z 29041G59KT 1 1/2SM R36/4000VP6000FT +RA FEW021 BKN027 OVC035 09/06 A2927 RMK AO2 PK WND 28059/0211 WSHFT 0159 RAB08 PRESRR P0007 T00890061

It is convective (low-topped in this case) with severe wind gusts thus handled with Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.

Yup, it looks like quite the temperature drop overnight.

66 mph wind gust at Dulles with the narrow squall line!

Meanwhile, heavy snow falling in western PA at this time.

Disagree with your first sentence.

There have been some wind damage reports mainly in the York and Harrisburg areas so far. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/today.html

It is not just the wind direction that is a factor. All day the flow was southerly and it still is. A very messy warm sector with low cloud cover and showers today is what tempered the severe weather risk. Powerful cold front moves through later this evening and that should be accompanied by a low-topped line. That could still tap into the strong wind field to produce areas of damaging winds.

The flow is southerly and not easterly.