Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 9, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

May 24, 2026Columbiana County, Ohio; 7 counties in Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this flash flood warning at May 24, 2026, 7:41 PM EDT for Columbiana County, Ohio; 7 counties in Pennsylvania. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 24, 2026, 7:41 PM EDT (23:41 UTC)
Expired
May 24, 2026, 10:45 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Columbiana County, OH, Armstrong County, PA, Beaver County, PA, Butler County, PA, Clarion County, PA, Lawrence County, PA, Mercer County, PA, Venango County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 47 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:41 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 24, 7:45 PM EDTFLASH FLOODEnon Valley, PAReported flooding in Enon Valley ongoing as of time of report.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 4 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 60 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-24Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-24The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 173 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
584 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
173 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
231 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

817 
WGUS51 KPBZ 242341
FFWPBZ
OHC029-PAC005-007-019-031-073-085-121-250245-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.FF.W.0009.260524T2341Z-260525T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
741 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Columbiana County in east central Ohio...
  Southeastern Mercer County in northwestern Pennsylvania...
  Southern Venango County in northwestern Pennsylvania...
  Northwestern Armstrong County in west central Pennsylvania...
  Butler County in west central Pennsylvania...
  Western Clarion County in west central Pennsylvania...
  Northern Beaver County in western Pennsylvania...
  Lawrence County in western Pennsylvania...

* Until 1045 PM EDT.

* At 741 PM EDT, the public reported heavy rain across the warned
  area. Up to 1 inch of rain has fallen so far. The expected rainfall
  rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or
  expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

  SOURCE...Public reported.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Cranberry, New Castle, Butler, Beaver Falls, Grove City, East
  Palestine, Knox, Ellwood City, Homeacre-Lyndora, New Brighton,
  Shanor-Northvue, Beaver, Calcutta, Meridian, Zelienople, Rochester,
  Slippery Rock, Ohioville, Meadowood and Oak Hills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4069 8059 4090 8059 4090 8052 4095 8052
      4112 8015 4139 7977 4138 7938 4108 7954
      4087 7969 4073 7990 4070 8026

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Lupo
2 follow-up statements
344 
WGUS71 KPBZ 250042
FFSPBZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
842 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

OHC029-PAC005-007-019-031-073-085-121-250245-
/O.CON.KPBZ.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260525T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Columbiana OH-Armstrong PA-Beaver PA-Butler PA-Clarion PA-
Lawrence PA-Mercer PA-Venango PA-
842 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIANA, SOUTHEASTERN MERCER, SOUTHERN
VENANGO, NORTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG, BUTLER, WESTERN CLARION, NORTHERN
BEAVER AND LAWRENCE COUNTIES...

At 842 PM EDT, the public reported heavy rain across the warned area.
Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall
rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

SOURCE...Public reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Cranberry, New Castle, Butler, Beaver Falls, Grove City, East
  Palestine, Knox, Ellwood City, Homeacre-Lyndora, New Brighton,
  Shanor-Northvue, Beaver, Calcutta, Meridian, Zelienople, Rochester,
  Slippery Rock, Ohioville, Meadowood and Oak Hills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law
enforcement and request they pass this information to the National
Weather Service when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 4069 8059 4090 8059 4090 8052 4095 8052
      4112 8015 4139 7977 4138 7938 4108 7954
      4087 7969 4073 7990 4070 8026

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Lupo
612 
WGUS71 KPBZ 250239
FFSPBZ

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1039 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

OHC029-PAC005-007-019-031-073-085-121-250249-
/O.EXP.KPBZ.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260525T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Columbiana OH-Armstrong PA-Beaver PA-Butler PA-Clarion PA-
Lawrence PA-Mercer PA-Venango PA-
1039 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1045 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIANA, SOUTHEASTERN MERCER, SOUTHERN VENANGO,
NORTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG, BUTLER, WESTERN CLARION, NORTHERN BEAVER AND
LAWRENCE COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures and avoid any
remaining flooded roadways.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for portions of east
central Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

&&

LAT...LON 4069 8059 4090 8059 4090 8052 4095 8052
      4112 8015 4139 7977 4138 7938 4108 7954
      4087 7969 4073 7990 4070 8026

$$

Lupo

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 24, 1:39 PM EDT, 6 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Passing shortwave trough increases rain/isolated storm coverage today into tomorrow morning 2) Rain chances and isolated storms expected south of Pittsburgh Monday into Wednesday 3) Cooler and drier conditions expected late week
Area forecast discussion, May 24, 1:39 PM EDT, 6 hours 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
139 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms expected today into
early tomorrow morning. An additional half inch to inch of rain
expected across the region through tomorrow morning.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Passing shortwave trough increases rain/isolated storm
coverage today into tomorrow morning

2) Rain chances and isolated storms expected south of Pittsburgh
Monday into Wednesday

3) Cooler and drier conditions expected late week

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Light to moderate rain is expected to spread into the area this
afternoon and evening as a shortwave trough moves across the
Great Lakes and shifts eastward. Over the past 12hrs, high-
resolution guidance has consistently indicated the potential
for heavier rainfall rates north of Pittsburgh between 8pm
tonight through midnight. Given that this area only received an
inch of rain in 48 hours, the overall flood threat is considered
low. Creeks and streams will likely rise with additional
precip, but confidence remains low that water will reach or
exceed bankfull levels. As a result, no Flood Watch will be
issued with this forecast package.

With saturated temperature profiles for a bulk of the time
period, the probability of lightning with passing thunderstorms
is also considered low but not zero. If a thunderstorm does
evolve, it would most likely be between 6pm and 11pm south of
I-80.

Rain intensity is expected to decrease after 2am Monday as the
shortwave exits and mid-lvl dry air advances from the west.

KEY MESSAGE 2...
In the wake of a departing shortwave early Monday, the ridge
axis that has remained over the Northeast in recent days is
expected to weaken, allowing more zonal flow to develop. As a
result, precipitation chances through Wednesday will generally
remain confided to areas south of Pittsburgh. At this time, the
flood threat across the region remains very low during this time
period.

KEY MESSAGE 3...

By midweek, long-range guidance suggests a closed low pressure
system will persist along the West Coast while a ridge
strengthens over the Northern Plains. This pattern is expected
to promote deep northwest flow across promotes of Great Lakes
and Northeast. As a result, cooler and drier conditions are
anticipated late in the week and continuing into the weekend.
The threat for hazardous weather is considered low.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
General VFR is expected this afternoon with light showers before
heavier rainfall moves in this evening around 00z. Removed
mention of thunder for the afternoon with this package as
thunder probs have dropped significantly. Although a few rumbles
may be possible, expect mainly rain through the afternoon and
overnight. IFR ceilings and visibilities are likely late
tonight into early Monday before eventual improvement to VFR
Monday afternoon.

Wind remains light and south/southeasterly today, becoming
northerly with cold frontal passage early Monday.

Outlook...
Improvement to VFR is expected Monday afternoon with building
high pressure. The cold front will stall south of the area,
keeping daily rain and restriction chances mainly south of PIT
through Wednesday.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...None.
OH...None.
WV...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Hefferan
AVIATION...Rackley
Hazardous weather outlook, May 24, 5:24 PM EDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
524 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

OHZ039>041-048-PAZ013-252130-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Lawrence-
524 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio and
southwest Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and a few thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into
tonight, with locally heavy rainfall possible. With the ground
saturated in some locations due to the recent rainfall and renewed
higher rain rates, localized flooding will be possible especially in
areas that see multiple rounds of heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

PAZ007>009-015-016-WVZ512>514-252130-
Mercer-Venango-Forest-Clarion-Jefferson PA-Eastern Preston-
Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
524 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania,
western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ049-050-057>059-068-069-PAZ014-020>022-029-031-073>078-WVZ001>004-
012-021-509>511-252130-
Harrison-Jefferson OH-Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Butler-
Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-
Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette-
Higher Elevations of Fayette-Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana-
Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
524 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT MONDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Showers and a few thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into
tonight, with locally heavy rainfall possible. With the ground
saturated in some locations due to the recent rainfall and renewed
higher rain rates, localized flooding will be possible especially in
areas that see multiple rounds of heavy rain.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Kramar

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 24, 7:19 PM EDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
719 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0718 PM     Flash Flood      4 E Roseville           39.81N 82.00W
05/24/2026                   Muskingum          OH   Public

            Neighborhood at Columbus St and N Main St
            underwater from flooding. Photos provided by
            media.

&&

Kramar
Local storm report, May 24, 7:28 PM EDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
728 PM EDT Sun May 24 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     Flash Flood      4 ESE Roseville         39.79N 82.00W
05/24/2026                   Muskingum          OH   Public

            Goose Run/Brush Creek overflowing banks and
            causing deep water over Goosecreek Rd.
            Flooding ongoing.

&&

Kramar

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 24, 5:14 PM EDTFlood WatchPBZBelmont, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Muskingum and 1 more7 hr
May 24, 5:18 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZGuernsey, Harrison, Muskingum, Noble5 hr
May 24, 5:56 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZHarrison, Jefferson5 hr
May 24, 6:49 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningPBZBelmont4 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Ohio, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.