Severe thunderstorm watch covering entire Pittsburgh area expires

The entire Pittsburgh area was under a severe thunderstorm watch that has since expired.

A watch is still in effect for parts of central Pennsylvania, as well as West Virginia.

Where and when will thunderstorms hit? 

Pulse thunderstorm cells with isolated damaging downburst winds will be present through the afternoon and evening hours. There is no one particular area of interest, but the entire region runs a similar chance of severe storms through 8 p.m. 

Thursday night into Friday morning, skies will be mostly cloudy as some cloud blowoff from storms in the Midwest heads our way. Temperatures will be very warm for Friday morning, with most areas seeing morning temperatures in the lower 70s. Some isolated showers are possible as well, especially in parts of northwest Pennsylvania.

Showers, storms possible on Friday

The system driving severe storms in the Midwest will head east tomorrow with a cold front moving into northwest Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio by early afternoon. With the cold front moving in just before peak heating, this may help keep the overall risk of storms lower for northwest Pennsylvania during the day and afternoon. 

The Pittsburgh area looks tricky in terms of a forecast. The most likely scenario involves scattered showers and storms in their developmental phase, then gradually becoming stronger and more widespread as they move into the Laurel Highlands and ridges. Isolated wind damage is the main risk.

Cooler and drier air moves in Friday night into Saturday, and Saturday will be storm-free. 

Another storm system arrives on Sunday

Another strong system looks to arrive on Sunday. Moisture and instability will return northeastward during the morning and early afternoon, leading to another chance of storms. Unlike the last couple of thunderstorm events this week, Sunday looks to have a more organized wind profile, supporting longer-lived and organized storms, some of which could be severe with all modes possible.