Destructive winds and tornadoes possible today as severe weather hits Pittsburgh area
Destructive winds and tornadoes are possible as severe weather rolls across the Pittsburgh area on Thursday evening.
Allegheny, Washington and Beaver counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:45 p.m. Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Butler and Beaver counties are under a flash flood warning until 9:15 p.m. Lawrence County is under a flash flood warning until 8:45 p.m.
"Due to the ongoing storm, our area is experiencing severe flooding and hazardous roadway conditions," the Lawrence County Department of Public Safety said on Facebook.
There have been reports of downed trees, power lines and flooding after strong-to-severe storms battered communities across the region. The National Weather Service estimated that 70-mile-per-hour wind gusts hit Beaver County.
More storms are expected to hit the area on Thursday night.
Tracking power outages
As of 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, Duquesne Light reports more than 12,000 customers without power.
As of 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, First Energy reports about 1,000 customers without power.
More storms possible Friday
Overnight into Friday morning, more thunderstorms are possible, but the severe potential with these is low. Similar to Thursday, instability values are expected to ramp up throughout Friday ahead of another strong disturbance.
Most modeling is in decent agreement that this disturbance will move in between noon and 6 p.m., carrying another complex of storms.
The greatest potential for severe weather on Friday will be south of the turnpike and especially into northern West Virginia, where higher amounts of instability will be located.
Weekend weather
Storm chances linger Friday night into Saturday, especially across the southern half of the forecast area. A cold front will move south Saturday morning, ending the chance of storms north of Pittsburgh.
Some redevelopment of showers and storms is likely, especially south of the city into northern West Virginia.
Total rainfall amounts will likely be 1 to 2 inches across our area, with isolated 3-plus-inch amounts underneath training storms.
All of our region will see drier, cooler and more comfortable air move in Sunday, and that will linger into Labor Day.
