Tornado watch for Pittsburgh area expires as severe weather begins to move out A tornado watch issued for most of the Pittsburgh area has expired after being in effect for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington, and Westmoreland counties until 11 p.m. Thursday. The warning also extended to parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. A separate flash flood warning remains active for central Allegheny County until 12:45 a.m. Friday, while a tornado warning for parts of Mercer and Lawrence counties, along with sections of Ohio, expired earlier Thursday evening. Severe storms are expected to impact the Pittsburgh region later Thursday evening, with damaging winds, large hail, and flooding posing the primary threats. While rotation could develop, the National Weather Service noted that conditions may not reach the level of a confirmed tornado. Temperatures during the day had climbed into the 70s, providing favorable conditions for storm development. Currently, scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across much of the area, rated at level 2 out of 5 on the severity scale. The area with numerous severe thunderstorms, level 3, is approaching, with the best storm ingredients likely positioned just west of Pittsburgh. However, attention must remain on any activity near the state line. Storms are expected to arrive in northern counties between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., moving southward toward Pittsburgh by 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. From there, they will continue pushing southward. Overnight, heavy rain remains a possibility, increasing the risk of flash flooding. As rainwater drains into creeks and streams, river levels could rise, with the Ohio River at the Point potentially cresting around 18 feet. This level would result in water reaching the Mon Wharf.#national_weather_service #pittsburgh #allegheny_county #ohio_river #mon_wharf
