The chance for severe weather in the Pittsburgh region increased this afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Most of the area south of I-80 was upgraded to an enhanced risk, or a level three out of five, for severe storms, the weather service announced. They are expected between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m.
“The upgrade is due to increasing confidence in the potential for damaging wind gusts and large hail that could exceed golf boll size,” the weather service said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Most of the local area south of I-80 has been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 out of 5) for severe storms late this afternoon and evening. The upgrade is due to increasing confidence in the potential for damaging wind gusts and large hail that could exceed golf ball size. pic.twitter.com/sFGK4uM37a
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 22, 2026
Large hail will be the primary threat from the storms, with damaging winds a secondary hazard, meteorologist Colton Milcarek said.
There is also a risk of isolated tornadoes, the weather service said.
The area at enhanced risk covers all of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Indiana, Fayette, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties and most of Butler County.
A severe thunderstorm watch, originally in effect until 10 p.m. Sunday, was extended to midnight.
The night isn't over yet. More storms are moving in from the west, many of which have a history of producing hail to quarter size or larger. pic.twitter.com/1Upf99XP21
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 23, 2026
Around 9 p.m., the weather service said more storms were moving in from the west, many of which have a history of producing hail to quarter size or larger.
“If you receive a severe thunderstorm warning, the best thing you can do is to find shelter,” Milcarek said. “Obviously, going inside is your best option.”
In a statement, Duquesne Light said it is staffing extra crews to respond to power outages as quickly as possible. It encouraged customers to report outages online or by calling 888-393-7000.
Duquesne Light and West Penn Power each post information about outages on their websites.
Storms will be moving from the northwest to the southeast along a cold front, behind which the temperature will plummet by about half.
The area a new record high for March 22 around 2:30 p.m., when the temperature reached 83 degrees at Pittsburgh International Airport. The previous record high of 82 had stood since 1938.
Behind the cold front on Monday, the high will be no better than the upper 30s to low 40s, Milcarek said.
“It will feel a lot different tomorrow,” he said. “It will be quite the crash.”
