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First Alert Weather: Flash flood warnings issued for Southwestern Pennsylvania counties

KDKA-TV Nightly Forecast (7/20)
KDKA-TV Nightly Forecast (7/20) 04:07

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Severe weather is moving through the Pittsburgh area, and it is bringing watches and warnings with it.

A flash flood warning has been issued for parts Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties until 1:30 a.m. Other parts of Westmoreland, Washington, Allegheny, Indiana and Fayette counties are under a flash flood warning until 2:15 a.m. on Friday.

Parts of Mercer and Venango counties are under a flash flood warning until 11:15 p.m. A tornado warning for those two counties has since expired. 

A severe thunderstorm watch also has been issued for the area ahead of a cold front expected to bring storms. The watch covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties until 3 a.m. and also includes parts of Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia.

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(Photo: KDKA Weather Center)

Watches are issued when ingredients are in the atmosphere that could lead to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail.  A warning will be issued if and when a severe storm is occurring.  

A line of storms is progressing southeast, toward us, from Lake Erie. This line has had a history of strong and severe thunderstorms embedded within it. 

Much of the region was upgraded to an "enhanced risk" for severe weather as models. That means more numerous storms and warnings could pop up. The rest of the viewing area is under a "slight risk," mainly southeast where storms will gradually weaken. 

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(Photo: KDKA Weather Center)

The storms roll out around midnight and cooler, more comfortable air moves in. There will be a few spotty showers for our Friday with highs near 80 and sunshine returning. 

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The weekend looks great with highs in the low 80s and plenty of sunshine.

We warm back up again next week and for now, it looks dry with partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid to upper 80s with humidity on the rise. 

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(Photo: KDKA Weather Center)

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