Morning Roundup: Hot weather again impacting schools; woman dies after Armstrong County crash

Here are the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Aug. 30:

Heat impacts Pittsburgh schools, air quality alert issued

Heat is again an issue in the Pittsburgh area, where an air quality alert also is in effect.

For a second time this week, Pittsburgh Public Schools announced that 37 schools without air conditioning will operate on a half-day schedule on Friday, as they had on Wednesday.

The high temperature is forecast to be in the low 90s on Friday.

Due to the forecasted extreme heat on Friday, August 30, 2024, District schools without air conditioning will operate on a half-day schedule.

Please visit the link for early dismissal times.https://t.co/Au5YcC7EV3 pic.twitter.com/zNiFfaGEwQ

— Pgh Public Schools (@PPSnews) August 29, 2024

The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert for Friday. It covers the Greater Pittsburgh area including Armstrong, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for children, the elderly and people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases.

Victim in Armstrong County crash ID’d

A Butler woman died in a crash Thursday in Armstrong County, Coroner Brian K. Myers said.

Myers identified the crash victim Friday afternoon as Michelle D. Vanscoy, 45.

According to Myers, the woman’s car was clipped in the back corner by a vehicle pulling out from Walman Supply in East Franklin and rolled about 400 feet down Route 422. The woman was ejected from her vehicle, and she was pronounced dead in the emergency department of ACMH Hospital in East Franklin.

Holiday weekend weather forecast

The Labor Day holiday weekend is expected to get off to a wet start, but with a dry finish, according to the National Weather Service.

After a hot day with highs in the low 90s on Friday, a cold front will bring slightly cooler temperatures but also showers and thunderstorms for most of the day Saturday, meteorologist David Shallenberger said.

Some of the storms could be severe, with wind the primary threat in the afternoon, he said.

Here is the latest forecast through the weekend. The highest chances for showers and thunderstorms will be on Saturday, and a few of the storms could be severe. pic.twitter.com/NldgLwIfZS

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) August 30, 2024

Ashley Dougherty, meteorologist at TribLive news partner WTAE, said a few showers are expected around midnight and into early Saturday.

“Saturday to start is pretty quiet but with an approaching cold front, it will fire off some rain and thunderstorms as early as 1 to 2 p.m. through the evening hours,” she said. “Some storms could have heavy downpours and gusty winds.”

Sunday will be cooler, with highs in the mid-80s, and dry except for rain to the south.

Monday looks to be completely dry and cooler with highs in the mid-70s, Shallenberger said.

“Labor Day is perfect with mostly sunny skies, lower humidity and temps in the mid-70s,” Dougherty said.