Flash floods and downed power power lines possible Tuesday
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Southwest Pennsylvania should brace for potential flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage Tuesday, according to the Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service.
Why it matters: The region will be under a rare severe weather threat — including intense wind, rain, hail and thunderstorms — that happens only "once or twice a year," said Fred McMullen of the National Weather Service in a media briefing on Monday.
Zoom in: All of Southwest Pennsylvania will be at an enhanced risk for severe storms between noon and 8pm Tuesday.
- The primary threat will be flash floods and downed trees and power lines, said McMullen.
- There is also a possibility of "weak tornadoes" hitting the area, he said.
By the numbers: Over 1.5 inches of rain could fall on portions of the region in a short time span, according to the weather service.
- The city of Pittsburgh has a 25% chance of seeing that level of rain.
- Uniontown has a 59% chance.
- Cranberry has a 28% chance.
Between the lines: McMullen said there are still uncertainties with the forecast and intense storms are "not a slam dunk."
- There is potential for early afternoon storms to hit along the eastern Lake Erie coast, potentially pushing other storms south of Pittsburgh and into West Virginia, meaning Pittsburgh could be in a middle lull, he said.
- If those don't develop, then it's likely Pittsburgh gets hit with fierce storms in the late afternoon or evening.
The bottom line: Be on the lookout for a potential flash flood watch. The weather service could issue one as early as Tuesday morning, said McMullen.
- Check the Pittsburgh office National Weather Service X account for updates here.