Key Highlights
- Several rounds of strong storms battered the Pittsburgh region on Wednesday.
- Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued during the storm.
- A flood watch was in effect through Wednesday evening.
- The temperature swing was expected to be nearly 30 degrees by Thursday.
Pittsburgh, like a ship caught in a tempestuous sea, has been hit hard by a series of strong storms. The region, which is no stranger to weather’s capriciousness, found itself at the mercy of Mother Nature’s wrath on Wednesday as thunderstorms rolled in, bringing hail, heavy downpours, and even tornado warnings.
Severe Weather Warnings
The National Weather Service had its hands full with a flood watch issued through Wednesday evening. Duquesne Light reported several thousand power outages across Allegheny County by early afternoon. By 7 p.m., the number of outages had been reduced to just a few hundred, a sign of the storm’s relentless march.
Storms and Tornado Warnings
The sequence of storms throughout Wednesday was described as “messy” by Matthew Kramer, a meteorologist for the NWS office in Moon. He added that it wasn’t as straightforward as some severe weather events might be. Severe thunderstorm warnings were scattered across the region, with winds reaching up to 60 mph.
Damage and Disruptions
The storms caused catastrophic building damage in parts of Illinois, including exceptionally large hail ranging from 3 to 5 inches in diameter. In Kankakee, one 6-inch diameter hailstone may have set a new state record, according to the Associated Press.
Local Impact
In Pittsburgh, overnight lows were expected to be in the 30s with highs reaching only the 40s on Thursday. The temperature roller coaster will continue over the weekend, with highs in the upper 40s on Saturday and upper 60s on Sunday under mostly cloudy skies.
Broader Impact
The storms extended their reach far beyond Pittsburgh, affecting parts of eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and Greene County. Nearly 100 flights into or out of Pittsburgh International Airport had been delayed through Wednesday evening, with two canceled according to FlightAware. The storm systems stretched from as far south as Texas to the Great Lakes, causing significant disruptions across the country.
As the temperature dropped dramatically, so did the spirits of many in the region.
But perhaps the real test will come on Friday, when temperatures are expected to be in the mid-50s before dropping again. It’s a reminder that no matter how sunny things seem today, the weather can always take a turn for the worse.