High winds Tuesday afternoon left more than 10,000 FirstEnergy customers without power in Westmoreland County. More high winds can be expected Wednesday in the Pittsburgh area, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts between 40 and 50 mph are forecast for Wednesday said Lee Hendricks, meteorologist for the NWS’s Pittsburgh office.
“Loose cans, lawn furniture — it’s going to be moved,” Hendricks said.
A high wind advisory has been issued for the Pittsburgh area until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Hendricks said. Winds are expected to slow down this evening.
Gusty winds and scattered snow showers are expected today. Little accumulation expected outside of the ridges, where up to 3 inches could fall. Wind and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect until 7 PM this evening. #pawx #ohwx #wvwx pic.twitter.com/vKylmy9K3d
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) January 10, 2024
As of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, 10,000 power outages were reported in Westmoreland County by FirstEnergy, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. Those outages have dropped to about 4,400 as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
FirstEnergy storm personnel have implemented 16-hour shifts and staffed extra internal operators, damage assessors and distribution control center analysts to manage the power outages, the company said in a statement on its website.
Here's a look at how winds shaped up yesterday based off observed values, and a graphic showing the max gusts forecast for today. Notice the downslope component with yesterday's winds. Today will be similar, but winds will be out of the southwest with no downslope enhancement. pic.twitter.com/209ML4EelT
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) January 10, 2024
The power issues led many school districts to delay classes Wednesday. For WTAE’s list of school closings and delays, click here.
A flood advisory has been set for the Monongahela Wharf and Point State Park regions of Pittsburgh from Wednesday to Thursday evenings.
Rain showers mixed with scattered snow are forecasted for this morning. More consistent snow showers may make an appearance this evening, Hendricks said, with temperatures likely to remain in the 30s Wednesday.
Temperatures in the upper 30s and little to no snow accumulation are expected for the rest of the week.
