A southeastward moving cold front sparked thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Good moisture return for March pushed dew points above 60 degrees with air temperatures in the mid 70s.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PBZ wrote it up.
A southeastward moving cold front sparked thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Good moisture return for March pushed dew points above 60 degrees with air temperatures in the mid 70s. A 1000-1500 J/kg MUCAPE gradient nosing in from the west with potent EBWD values of 50-60 knots supported severe thunderstorms with large hail up to golf ball size, sporadic wind damage, and urban flooding with training storms.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 26, 7:54 PM EST, 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 854 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Tornado Watch issued and valid until 11PM No changes to flooding risks && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Showers and thunderstorms tonight along a strong cold front. Some storms could be severe. 2) Locally heavy rainfall could cause flooding tonight into early Friday. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... Shear and instability ahead of a cold front currently dropping southeastward across the region will result in thunderstorms this evening, before changing over to mostly showers shortly after midnight. Latest mesoanalysis is showing a ribbon of MLCAPE between 500-700j/kg and 60-70kts of effective shear. Along with a slight veering wind profile, and resulting curved hodographs, there is potential for rotation in some of these storms. A Tornado Watch has been issued for this potential, and is valid until 11 PM tonight. With the amount of shear, there is potential for damaging winds and large hail as well, in addition to the tornado threat. Shear and instability should gradually wane, and expect the severe potential to largely be over shortly after midnight, although a few embedded thunderstorms may accompany overnight showers. KEY MESSAGE 2... As mentioned above, the front should move relatively slow. Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall from convection, post frontal heavy rain, and PWATS ranging from 2-3 standard deviations above normal along the front could result in areas of flooding tonight and early Friday. Current probabilities show a 45%-65% chance of at least 1.5 inches of rain along the I-70 corridor extending northward to Columbiana- Beaver- Butler counties. Flash Flood Guidance is in general 2 inches over 6 hours, with 3 hour values generally 1.5 inches. Probabilistic guidance, both from NBM and HREF, have been consistent in depicting this heavy rain potential. Streams/creeks will likely remain elevated through the rest of Friday into Saturday due to runoff from the expected rainfall. && .AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Showers and storms accompanying a slow moving front will result in cig/vis restrictions overnight and into Friday, with widespread MVFR persisting through much of the TAF period. By 06Z TSRA should largely be finished, but showers will continue into early Friday morning. Latest ensemble guidance shows an 80-100% chance of MVFR, and 50% chance IFR behind the front, with improvement from north to south during the afternoon. Outlook... High pressure will build across the Ohio Valley and should result in VFR through Sunday. Rain chances and associated restrictions return Monday into Tuesday. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...Wind Advisory until 4 AM EDT Friday for WVZ512-514. && DISCUSSION...WM/88/Lupo AVIATION...88
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 PAZ007-008-014-015-021-022-029-073-074-272130- Mercer-Venango-Butler-Clarion-Allegheny-Armstrong-Washington- Westmoreland-Higher Elevations of Westmoreland- 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 ...TORNADO WATCH 75 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Tornado Watch. In addition, there is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 out of 4) for localized flooding issues due to heavy rain in thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ016-077-078-272130- Jefferson PA-Indiana-Higher Elevations of Indiana- 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania and western Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are expected along and ahead of a cold front this evening. In addition to possible strong to severe storms, there is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 out of 4) for localized flooding issues due to heavy rain in thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. WVZ512-514-272130- Eastern Preston-Eastern Tucker- 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EDT FRIDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for 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. Wind Advisory. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms are expected along and ahead of a cold front this evening. Strong to severe storms will be possible, and there is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 out of 4) for localized flooding issues due to heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. OHZ069-PAZ009-031-075-076-WVZ004-012-021-509>511-513-272130- Monroe-Forest-Greene-Fayette-Higher Elevations of Fayette-Marshall- Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia- Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston- Western Tucker- 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, southwest Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are expected along and ahead of a cold front this evening. Strong to severe storms will be possible, and there is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 out of 4) for localized flooding issues due to heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-PAZ013-020-WVZ001>003-272130- Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH- Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Lawrence-Beaver-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio- 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 ...TORNADO WATCH 75 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest 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. Tornado Watch. In addition, there is a Slight Risk (Level 2 out of 4) for flooding issues due to heavy rain in thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. OHZ068-272130- Noble- 521 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Showers and thunderstorms are expected along and ahead of a cold front this evening. Strong to severe storms will be possible, and there is a Marginal Risk (Level 1 out of 4) for localized flooding issues due to heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
935 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0905 PM Hail 4 WNW Amsterdam 40.48N 81.00W
03/26/2026 E0.88 Inch Carroll OH Public
Time estimated from radar.
&&
CLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
941 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0920 PM Hail 3 SSW Richmond 40.39N 80.80W
03/26/2026 E1.00 Inch Jefferson OH Public
Time estimated from radar.
&&
CLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
944 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0932 PM Hail Mingo Junction 40.32N 80.61W
03/26/2026 E1.00 Inch Jefferson OH Public
Pea to Quarter size hail.
&&
JFPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
945 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0930 PM Hail 4 SSW Nellie 40.29N 82.10W
03/26/2026 E1.50 Inch Coshocton OH Public
Time estimated from radar.
&&
CLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
946 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0933 PM Hail Hooverson Heights 40.32N 80.58W
03/26/2026 M1.50 Inch Brooke WV Emergency Mngr
&&
CLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
948 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0934 PM Hail 2 S Steubenville 40.34N 80.65W
03/26/2026 E1.00 Inch Jefferson OH Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
&&
CLThe Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 22 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:48 UTC.
1 flash flood, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
The ramp from Interstate 376 onto Route 885 was closed due to flooding.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, March 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1323450, 1323448.