Wind, hail risks with afternoon, evening storms

Damaging wind and large hail are the main risks with storms expected in the Pittsburgh area Wednesday afternoon into the early evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Storms are expected to reach the general Pittsburgh area between 3 and 4 p.m., and move out by around 7 p.m., meteorologist Bill Modzelewski said.

A line or broken line of showers and thunderstorms will move through with an approaching cold front, and most places will see at least some rain from it, he said. Localized heavy downpours are possible.

Damaging wind is the main potential hazard, Modzelewski said. A few storms could have large around around 1 inch in diameter or larger.

“Not everybody will see the severe weather,” he said.

Shower/tstm chances expected to increase today ahead of an approaching cold front. A few storms could be severe this afternoon/early evening. Damaging wind main hazard, large hail also possible. Track storms and stay up to date by visiting https://t.co/nR4yhzmgUx. pic.twitter.com/jg82osmArU

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) May 26, 2021

Conditions are not favorable for tornadoes, for which Modzelewski said there is only a very limited risk.

The average high temperature this time of year is around 74 degrees, Modzelewski said. The high is expected to fall from an above-average of 85 on Wednesday to below-average, around 60, on Saturday, before rising into the upper 60s on Sunday and 75 for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday.