Pittsburgh, PA – Damaging winds and large hail could hit parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia Friday afternoon as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. EDT across a wide swath of the tri-state area.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 210 includes 12 counties spanning eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-size hail are possible, particularly in cities like Pittsburgh, Zanesville, Steubenville, and New Castle.
In Ohio, the watch includes Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas counties. In Pennsylvania, the alert covers Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, and Venango counties. Hancock County in West Virginia is also under the watch.
Residents in cities such as Beaver Falls, Weirton, and Cambridge should secure loose outdoor items and stay weather-aware as fast-moving cells could prompt warnings with little notice. Travel on I-70 and U.S. Route 22 may become hazardous due to low visibility and sudden wind shifts.
This marks one of the season’s first widespread severe weather threats in the region. The watch remains in effect through 7 p.m., with further advisories possible if storms intensify.
