Sunday is starting out like a weather postcard in Pittsburgh, with clear skies and temperatures sitting in the mid-60s at official observing sites. The calm, however, is on borrowed time. A cold front is expected to sweep through later Sunday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the region this afternoon into the evening. Anyone with outdoor plans should keep them flexible, and commuters should be ready for brief, heavy downpours during the evening drive.
Afternoon Into Evening: Scattered Severe Storms Possible
Forecasters expect scattered storms to be most likely between about 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, with damaging wind gusts and brief heavy rainfall topping the list of concerns. According to the National Weather Service Pittsburgh, some storms could pack gusts strong enough to knock down tree branches and trigger short power outages. The region is also sitting in a slightly severe-weather outlook, with a small tornado probability noted by the Storm Prediction Center.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Even outside of the strongest cells, winds are expected to be gusty both ahead of and behind the front. Thunderstorms could produce sudden gusts up to about 40 mph in the more intense storms. Drivers should be ready for quick drops in visibility in heavy rain and for the possibility of falling debris, and high-profile vehicles may find conditions tricky during the gustiest periods.
Monday And The Week Ahead
Once the front moves through, Monday, June 15, is expected to feel noticeably cooler and drier, with highs near the low 70s and mostly sunny skies that should ease the immediate severe-weather threat. Forecasters say the quieter pattern will likely hold through early Wednesday. Another system could stir up more unsettled, and possibly severe, weather around Thursday, so it is worth keeping an eye on updates from the National Weather Service.
Plan Ahead
If your Sunday afternoon or evening involves time outside, have an indoor backup plan ready and take a moment now to secure loose outdoor items. If a warning is issued for your neighborhood, move away from windows and follow directions from local emergency officials and the National Weather Service.
