Severe storms possible in the Pittsburgh area heading into the weekend
The Pittsburgh area is bracing for another round of strong to severe storms on Friday.
Moist and unstable air will continue to flow north ahead of a cold front moving in from the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest states. This combined with strong jet stream winds and a few disturbances will set the Pittsburgh area up for another round of strong to severe storms beginning by 3 to 4 p.m. in Northwest Pennsylvania (Mercer, Lawrence, Venango and Clarion county areas).
There was a severe thunderstorm watch in effect for several counties, but it has since been canceled.
What will these storms bring?
Storms could contain downburst winds up to 60 to 70 mph along with quarter- to golf ball-sized hail in isolated areas. These storms will gradually increase in coverage but should weaken some in intensity as they move southeast toward the Pittsburgh metro area by 8 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Even with weakening storms, there will be gusty outflow winds of 40 to 60 mph, which can still do minor damage to trees, especially those weakened after Tuesday's high wind event. The cold front that moves in Friday into Friday night will stall over the area this weekend.
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More storms expected on Saturday
Another complex of storms is expected to move across most of Western Pennsylvania between midnight and 6 a.m. Saturday. These storm cells may contain small hail and continued gusty winds.
There will be a lull in the most widespread rain and thunderstorms from roughly 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, but scattered showers will be possible along with mostly cloudy skies.
More energy from a strong and slow-moving upper level low to the west will move in after 12 pm and lead to the most widespread rain and thunderstorm coverage of this event.
Marathon runners may get quick break in rain
A little dry wave is likely to move in around sunrise Sunday, which will allow a break for the marathon runners in town. However, with the slow-moving and pesky upper level low in close proximity, additional scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected Sunday afternoon and evening.
This same pattern will be on repeat for Monday and Tuesday as well. While there is no organized severe risk expected Sunday to Tuesday, we cannot rule out instances of small hail in some storms.
Rain to move out late next week
By late Wednesday into Thursday, another disturbance swooping down in the jet stream in Canada should finally lift this system out of the region, which should lower the rain chances. A widespread 1 to 3 inches of additional rainfall is expected over the next seven days across Western Pennsylvania, which should help to keep the flood risk fairly isolated.
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