Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and tornadoes are threatening parts of the Ohio Valley this afternoon as multiple tornado watches cover eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and parts of western Maryland.
According to the Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Tornado Watch 42 remains in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday for 11 counties in eastern Ohio, including Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison, Carroll, Columbiana, Tuscarawas, Muskingum, Coshocton, Noble, Monroe, and Guernsey. The watch also includes five counties in northern West Virginia, such as Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, and Wetzel.
Communities including Wheeling, Steubenville, East Liverpool, Cambridge, Zanesville, and New Philadelphia sit within the watch area as thunderstorms track east across the Ohio Valley.
A second alert, Tornado Watch 45, remains active until 8 p.m. Wednesday for parts of western and central Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, Somerset, and Cambria counties, along with Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties in Maryland.
Meteorologists warn that storms moving through the region could produce wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, large hail, and isolated tornadoes, especially along the I-70, I-79, and I-76 corridors.
Residents are urged to monitor weather alerts closely and have multiple ways to receive warnings, including NOAA Weather Radio and mobile alerts. If a tornado warning is issued, move immediately to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
The severe weather threat is expected to continue through the evening hours as storms push east across Pennsylvania and into the Mid-Atlantic.
