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Pittsburgh Weather: Approaching Cold Front Prompts Tornado Watch, Tornado Warning As Season Changes To Fall

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Most of Southwestern Pennsylvania caught an early afternoon break from the precipitation, but an approaching cold front is moving our way and bringing showers and the potential for severe thunderstorms.

As the front crosses, we have the potential for some showers, heavy rain at times, and a few strong storms capable of producing damaging wind or an isolated tornado.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for all of Western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, as well as for parts of Ohio and West Virginia until 10 p.m.

Two Tornado Warnings were issued for parts of Butler and Venango counties, but they've been canceled.

Watches are issued when ingredients are in place. If the radar indicates strong rotation in a storm, or a tornado is spotted, then a warning will be issued.

While a tornado watch has been issued, storms producing straight line winds are a concern, along with the potential for localized flooding. Heavy rains will accompany these thunderstorms this evening and tonight.

The best timeline for all this severe weather is from 2 p.m. through 9 p.m.

After that, the system spins off to the east, leaving a few scattered showers overnight and through the early part of Thursday with gradual clearing later in the day.

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(Photo Credit: KDKA Weather Center)
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(Photo Credit: KDKA Weather Center)

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The temperature will be warm for one last day today, and it will be humid, before much cooler air invades Thursday with highs only recovering to the lower 60s. That's about 10 degrees below normal for this time of year.

The weekend looks pleasant with mainly sunshine and highs near 70 for the first weekend of fall, which arrives this afternoon.

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(Photo Credit: KDKA Weather Center)

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