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Storms cause power outages, damage in Pittsburgh area

PITTSBURGH — One batch of showers and storms moved through the Channel 11 viewing area Thursday morning, and more wet weather is expected throughout the day.

Severe Weather Team meteorologist Valerie Smock said heavier rain was reported around New Castle and Morgantown early Wednesday.

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More storms are expected, especially in the southwestern part of the state.

“The most unstable air is to our south so that is where thunderstorms, if any, are expected to fire,” said Smock.

Showers are expected across the area and are more likely in the early-afternoon hours.

Overnight, there is a slight chance for popup showers, Smock said.

Wednesday night, strong to severe storms caused damages in many areas. In Mercer County, two people are OK after a tree fell directly on their home.

The tree fell on a home in the Evergreen Mobile Home Park in Mercer Borough. Several streets in the county were also closed Wednesday night because of downed trees and power lines.

No injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, in Dormont, investigators are working to determine if a bolt of lightning is the cause of a fire that damaged two businesses.

The fire happened along Potomac Avenue around 11 p.m. A restaurant and a food mart were both damaged.

"We were standing down the corner there, and we heard lightning hit and it looks like it's getting kind of foggy outside.  The next thing you know, the whole street was covered with smoke.  I mean, it was loud.  It was really loud, like a bomb went off,” said Harry Williams.

No injuries were reported.

Storms are once again expected on Friday and they should develop late in the day, Smock said.  Saturday will also bring a pop-up shower or storm but it doesn't look like everyone will see them.

Sunday should stay dry.

“I kept Sunday dry as the models are beginning to agree in that any shower activity would be south and out of our viewing area,” explained Smock.

Humdity sticks around most of the day Thursday, but will start to decrease this evening and into the end of the week. Temps are about 10 degrees cooler today due to the clouds and showers but the will remain seasonable (low 80s) Friday and on through the weekend.

WPXI

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