Ohio-Pennsylvania Weather Today: Severe Storm Watch Until 11 PM

Pittsburgh, PA – Millions of people across parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia face the threat of severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening, with damaging wind gusts and hail possible through 11 p.m. EDT.

According to the National Weather Service offices in Pittsburgh and Cleveland, a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday for portions of all four states. The watch area includes communities across northern and eastern Ohio, western and northern Pennsylvania and western New York, with a portion of West Virginia also included.

The National Weather Service graphic lists scattered wind gusts of up to 65 mph as a threat. Isolated hail up to the size of a quarter is also possible, along with frequent lightning.

The watch area includes or approaches several major population centers and travel corridors, including Cleveland, Akron and Mansfield in Ohio; Pittsburgh, Butler and Erie in Pennsylvania; and areas extending east toward western New York.

The National Weather Service estimates more than 6.45 million people are within the potential exposure area. The agency's graphic also lists 2,283 schools and 148 hospitals within the watch zone.

A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms to develop. It does not mean every community within the outlined area will experience severe weather.

Residents traveling Wednesday afternoon or evening should monitor changing conditions, particularly as thunderstorms approach. Strong wind gusts could make driving difficult and potentially bring down tree limbs or cause localized power outages.

People across the watch area should continue monitoring National Weather Service updates and be prepared to move indoors if warnings are issued for their location.