Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Drivers across Ohio and western Pennsylvania should prepare now for a multi-day stretch of steady rain March 5-11 that could slow commutes and push smaller rivers toward bankfull levels.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, much of Ohio and Pennsylvania sits in a 60 to 70 percent chance of above-normal precipitation during the March 5-11 period. The wet corridor extends from the Upper Midwest through the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast, signaling repeated rain events rather than a single storm system. Temperatures are also favored to run above average, reducing widespread snow concerns.
In cities including Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, most precipitation will fall as rain. Brief rain-snow mixing cannot be ruled out in far northern Ohio and higher elevations of western Pennsylvania during overnight hours, but warmer air should dominate.
Heavier downpours could lead to ponding on Interstates 70, 71, 76 and 79, along with water-covered secondary roads in low-lying communities. Saturated soil may increase runoff into the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.
Residents should clear storm drains, secure outdoor items and avoid driving through flooded roadways. The unsettled pattern is expected to persist through March 11, and additional flood advisories may follow if rainfall totals trend higher.
