Storms Could Bring Heavy Rain, High Winds & Hail To Area Tonight

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The U.S. Storm Prediction Center has listed all of Western Pennsylvania under a slight risk of severe weather for Friday afternoon and evening.

KDKA Meteorologist Ron Smiley says the big concern at this time is storms firing along a cold front that will push through the state after 7 p.m. Strong winds are also expected.

Before the potential storms arrive late this afternoon, we should also see scattered storms pushing through. These storms could bring hail, and locally, heavy rain.

The storms began firing around the lunch hour on radar, and activity should continue through at least 4 p.m.

While conditions are favorable for severe weather, it will depend on a couple of things.

Low level moisture (high dew points) is clearly in place and we have a large upper low churning over northern Michigan right now that could act as a trigger for strong storms. If we see lots of sunshine this afternoon that will help to destabilize our atmosphere and will bring our severe weather chance up.

If we see a more consistent rain with temps struggling to get into the 80s, then we wouldn't see much in the way of strong storms. Both are possible.

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Keep the umbrella handy into the overnight hours and stay weather aware. Conditions have the potential to change quickly.

Highs today should reach the mid- to upper-80s.

The rest of the weekend is looking cooler with a small chance for rain on Saturday and more pleasant weather expected on Sunday. Highs both days should reach the low 80s.