Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 7, NWS Pittsburgh, PA
NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this tornado warning at Apr 1, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT for Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 15 min. 5 reports 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
- Apr 1, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT (04:00 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 1, 2026, 12:15 AM EDT
- In force
- 15 min
- Issued by
- NWS Pittsburgh, PA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Allegheny County, PA, Westmoreland County, PA
The radar
The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:01 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 12:04 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 W White Oak, PA | Report of damage to multiple trees in the Haler Heights area of McKeesport near Renziehausen Park. Time estimated based on radar. |
| Apr 1, 12:05 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Nnw West Mifflin, PA | Tree down on power lines. |
| Apr 1, 12:09 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Sw Irwin, PA | Report of shed blown over in background plus down and snapped trees in the area. Time estimated based on radar. |
| Apr 1, 12:10 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Sw Irwin, PA | Report of trees down near the intersection of Barnes Lake Road and Clay Pike. Time estimated based on radar. |
| Apr 1, 12:10 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Sw Irwin, PA | Report of trees down near the intersection of George Street and Trolist Drive. Time estimated based on radar. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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 00:00Z, 4.0 hours before the alert went out and 26 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 161 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -15 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1899 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 40 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 153 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 315 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 2.0
The text
As transmitted.
380
WFUS51 KPBZ 010400
TORPBZ
PAC003-129-010415-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.TO.W.0007.260401T0400Z-260401T0415Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1200 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
East Central Allegheny County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
West Central Westmoreland County in southwestern Pennsylvania...
* Until 1215 AM EDT.
* At midnight EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located over Duquesne, or over McKeesport, moving east
at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
* Locations impacted include...
McKeesport, West Mifflin, Munhall, North Versailles, White Oak,
Duquesne, Glassport, Irwin, Manor, Trafford, Liberty, Port Vue,
East Mckeesport, Dravosburg, Versailles, North Irwin, Penn and
Adamsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building
away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself
from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4034 7992 4038 7991 4039 7961 4028 7964
TIME...MOT...LOC 0400Z 276DEG 40KT 4036 7986
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Milcarek1 follow-up statement
413 WWUS51 KPBZ 010412 SVSPBZ Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1212 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 PAC003-129-010422- /O.EXP.KPBZ.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260401T0415Z/ Allegheny PA-Westmoreland PA- 1212 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 ...TORNADO WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1215 AM EDT FOR EAST CENTRAL ALLEGHENY AND WEST CENTRAL WESTMORELAND COUNTIES... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. However, heavy rain is still possible with this thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 4034 7992 4038 7991 4039 7961 4028 7964 TIME...MOT...LOC 0400Z 276DEG 40KT 4036 7985 $$ Milcarek
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Mar 31, 8:23 PM EDT, 3 hours 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) A slow-moving cold front will drop south slowly across the region overnight and stall near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia border on Wednesday. Rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected, with severe weather concerns tonight, and again during the day Wednesday. 2) The slow-moving front and deep moisture could lead to heavy rainfall totals tonight north of Pittsburgh, as well as longer- term hydrologic concerns into the upcoming weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 8:23 PM EDT, 3 hours 37 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 823 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Severe Thunderstorm Watch for areas north of Pittsburgh until 1AM && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) A slow-moving cold front will drop south slowly across the region overnight and stall near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia border on Wednesday. Rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected, with severe weather concerns tonight, and again during the day Wednesday. 2) The slow-moving front and deep moisture could lead to heavy rainfall totals tonight north of Pittsburgh, as well as longer- term hydrologic concerns into the upcoming weekend. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... Latest surface analysis shows relatively low MLCAPE values in the area, but a healthy 45-50kts of effective shear ahead of a cold front dropping south across the region this evening. The timeframe for the greatest potential for severe weather will be before midnight and mainly north of Pittsburgh. All hazards will be possible, but damaging wind gusts are the primary threat as thermodynamic profiles look to support surging outflows that could force upscale growth into bowing line segments. Forecast soundings indicate relatively high LCLs so TORs will be the lesser threat. With frontal passage overnight, the overall environment will be less favorable for strong/severe convection, with lesser instability and effective shear. Any lingering severe potential should begin to wane after around 4am as frontal progression slows and lapse rates trend more moist adiabatic (perhaps even isothermal or weakly stable near the surface). However, models continue to show the frontal boundary stalling near the PA/WV border tomorrow. If this occurs, it will serve as a focus for additional convective development during the afternoon and evening on Wednesday. Favorable low- level moisture (dewpoints around 60), around 35 knots of deep shear, and steepening lapse rates may support a few strong to severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts. Also of concern is the potential for heavy rainfall. This is covered in Key Message 2 below. KEY MESSAGE 2... While the first round of convection noted above will certainly be capable of producing locally heavy downpours, it is the arrival of the cold front that could provide near-term concerns for heavy rainfall near and north of US-422, where WPC has placed a marginal (1 of 4) risk level of excessive rainfall. East-west training of storms is possible as the front advances, and with precipitable water values above 95th percentile for this time of year, multiple downpours are possible in any one location. HREF probabilities of more than an inch of rain in the risk area are between 40 and 60 percent, and the environment is certainly capable of producing 2 inches or a bit more in the extreme cases. That said, hydrologic issues through Wednesday morning are likely to be quite isolated, especially since the heaviest rainfall from recent days fell to the south of US-422. The stalled front noted in Key Message 1 likely lifts back north of the region as a warm front Thursday, spurred on by a Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes 500mb shortwave. However, waves of surface low pressure along the westward extension of the boundary may allow it to waver back and forth in our region into the weekend. Ensembles continue to favor heavier rainfall totals well to our west where the tap of Gulf moisture will be strongest. However, with precipitable water values generally remaining at or above the 95th percentile through at least Saturday, there may be some opportunities for at least localized heavy rainfall that could lead to isolated flooding concerns. Long-term river level concerns, according to MMEFS, may be more focused on the Allegheny basin, where potential heavy rain over the next 24 hours, plus any additional events into the weekend, could lead to elevated stages. && .AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... A crossing cold front overnight will result in showers and thunderstorms across the region. Some could be locally severe with damaging winds the biggest threat, mainly before midnight. Showers and storms will slowly trend south overnight with the frontal boundary, down to near MGW by the morning. Can't rule out some embedded thunderstorms early in the AM with frontal passage, as there may be some lingering elevated instability. However, the severe threat should diminish after midnight as lapse rates and deep- layer shear weakens. The front is forecast to stall roughly near the PA/WV border this morning. North of the front, winds shift to northwesterly and scattered shower activity continues, but generally with a decreasing intensity. Closer to the front (namely at MGW), heavier showers and embedded thunderstorm activity is expected to continue or redevelop on Wednesday in the vicinity of the pseudo stationary boundary. Outlook... The mentioned front will transition north as a warm front Wednesday night into Thursday with restrictions and rain. Another crossing cold front will maintain restriction and rain potential late Thursday night through Saturday as it stalls across the region. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && DISCUSSION...Cermak/88 AVIATION...Cermak/88
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 31, 7:04 PM EDT, 4 hours 56 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 704 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 OHZ040-041-PAZ007>009-013>016-020-022-077-078-WVZ001-012315- Carroll-Columbiana-Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Butler-Clarion- Jefferson PA-Beaver-Armstrong-Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana- Hancock- 704 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 83 IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. There is a Slight (level 2 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms tonight ahead of a cold front. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat, although large hail or a tornado cannot be ruled out. Heavy rainfall is also possible in the stronger storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. OHZ039-012315- Tuscarawas- 704 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a Slight (level 2 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms tonight ahead of a cold front. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat, although large hail or a tornado cannot be ruled out. Heavy rainfall is also possible in the stronger storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. OHZ048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ021-029-031-073>076-WVZ002>004-012-021- 509>514-012315- Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble- Monroe-Allegheny-Washington-Greene-Westmoreland- Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette- Higher Elevations of Fayette-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion- Monongalia-Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston- Preston-Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker- 704 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a Marginal (level 1 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms tonight ahead of a cold front. Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat, although large hail or a tornado cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is another Marginal (level 1 of 5) risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening along the cold front as it stalls. The strongest storms could contain damaging wind gusts and large hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Mar 31, 8:55 PM EDT, 3 hours 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
855 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0837 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NW New Lebanon 41.45N 80.13W
03/31/2026 Mercer PA 911 Call Center
Several trees down.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Mar 31, 9:24 PM EDT, 2 hours 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
924 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0837 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sharon 41.23N 80.51W
03/31/2026 Mercer PA 911 Call Center
Large trees on wires.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Mar 31, 9:36 PM EDT, 2 hours 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
936 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0915 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Eau Claire 41.11N 79.80W
03/31/2026 Butler PA 911 Call Center
Tree down on wires.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Mar 31, 10:46 PM EDT, 1 hour 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1046 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0726 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NNW Rouseville 41.53N 79.72W
03/31/2026 Venango PA 911 Call Center
Tree down.
0728 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Pleasantville 41.59N 79.62W
03/31/2026 Venango PA 911 Call Center
Six trees reported down.
0657 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNW Mercer 41.27N 80.26W
03/31/2026 Mercer PA 911 Call Center
Tree down.
0837 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sharon 41.23N 80.51W
03/31/2026 Mercer PA 911 Call Center
Large trees on wires.
0837 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NW New Lebanon 41.45N 80.13W
03/31/2026 Mercer PA 911 Call Center
Several trees down.
0840 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Fredonia 41.30N 80.24W
03/31/2026 Mercer PA 911 Call Center
Several trees down.
0745 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE New Castle Northwe 41.04N 80.34W
03/31/2026 Lawrence PA 911 Call Center
Wires were reported down.
0915 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Eau Claire 41.11N 79.80W
03/31/2026 Butler PA 911 Call Center
Tree down on wires.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Mar 31, 11:08 PM EDT, 52 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1108 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1057 PM Flash Flood 6 SSW West Middlesex 41.11N 80.51W
03/31/2026 Lawrence PA 911 Call Center
Evergreen Road is flooded.
&&
WMLocal storm report, Mar 31, 11:57 PM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1157 PM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1139 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WSW Carnot-Moon 40.50N 80.27W
03/31/2026 M58 MPH Allegheny PA ASOS
ASOS station KPIT Pittsburgh Intl Airport.
&&
WMThe office that day
Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 8:18 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Lawrence, Mercer, Venango | 42 min |
| Mar 31, 8:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, Mercer and 1 more | 67 min |
| Mar 31, 9:03 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Butler, Lawrence, Mercer | 34 min |
| Mar 31, 10:33 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | PBZ | Lawrence, Mercer | 3 hr |
| Mar 31, 11:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland | 49 min |
| Apr 1, 1:21 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | PBZ | Lawrence, Mercer | 6 hr |
| Apr 1, 5:30 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | PBZ | Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington | 6 hr |
| Apr 1, 3:18 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PBZ | Greene | 34 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.