Heavy downpours to be followed by extreme heat heading into weekend
The Pittsburgh region is set to get up to an inch of rain Wednesday followed by hot and muggy weather that could see heat indexes reach and exceed 100 degrees this weekend, a National Weather Service meteorologist said.
Isolated and scattered showers crossed the region early Wednesday, meteorologist Jason Frazier said. Off-and-on showers and storms were expected throughout the day, peaking in the late afternoon and evening.
While rainfall of up to an inch is expected through midnight, some spots could get more with any of the heavier storms.
No flood watches or warnings had been issued, but Frazier said localized flash flooding can’t be ruled out.
Barry remnants cross today, with isolated instances of heavy rainfall totals and flash flooding possible. Remember...Turn Around, Don't Drown! pic.twitter.com/Eje8ngX11V
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) July 17, 2019
After rain Wednesday, the heat will become an increasing concern from Thursday into Saturday, Frazier said.
After highs in the upper 80s Thursday, the high is expected to reach 94 on Friday and up to 96 on Saturday. With dew points in the low-to-mid 70s, the heat index could reach and exceed 100 degrees, Frazier said.
While hot, temperatures won’t be high enough to break any records standing from 1988, Frazier said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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