Storms Prompt Various Warnings & Watches
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Lines of showers and thunderstorms have prompted various watches and warnings around the area Monday.
Storms were moving to the east at 60 mph and are bringing heavy rains.
The line of storms extended into Ohio and hundreds of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded.
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado watch was in effect until 1 p.m. for the following counties in Pennsylvania:
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland.
A Flood Warning for creeks and streams has been issued for Allegheny Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland and counties to the north.
A Flash Flood Warning runs through noon for Allegheny County, due to some flooded roads and continued rising water.
A Flood Advisory has been issued for the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. As of 3 a.m., the river was at 16.7 feet. Flood stage is 25 feet and the river is expected to rise to 20 feet by early Wednesday morning.
At 20 feet, portions of the North Shore Riverwalk will be under a foot of water.
The Mon Wharf is closed Monday and the Bath Tub could start taking on water in the next 48 hours.
KDKA Meteorologist Dennis Bowman is calling for a high of 60 degrees Monday. However, a low pressure system is moving in that will drop temperatures rapidly this afternoon.
By 5 p.m., the temperature will have fallen to about 38 degrees en route to an overnight low of 22 degrees.
Due to the falling temperatures, the falling rain could change to a brief period of snow that won't amount to much accumulation.
Drivers are being advised to watch for icy spots as the rain freezes up.
Sunshine with temperatures in the 40s can be expected for the next two days.
Several roads throughout the KDKA viewing area are closed or restricted due to the heavy rains that swept through the region this morning. Visit PennDOT's website for a complete list of travel advisories.
Motorists should remember to never drive through a flooded road. As the saying goes, "turn around, don't drown."
You can never be sure how deep the water is that is covering the road. Many drivers have already been trapped in their vehicles in various counties, leading to rescues.
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