Weather warning for severe thunderstorms in southwestern Pennsylvania on Sunday evening

A National Weather Service advisory was issued at 7:44 p.m. on Sunday, reporting severe thunderstorms until 8:15 p.m. for Lawrence, Butler, Beaver, Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Residents could have to contend with wind gusts of up to 80 km/h.

“At 7:44 p.m., Doppler radar tracked strong thunderstorms along a line extending from East Palestine through Leetsdale and Robinson Township to near McGovern. The movement was northeast at 55 miles per hour,” the weather service said. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow unsecured objects.”

Places affected by the warning include Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, Ross Township, McCandless Township, Monroeville, Cranberry, Moon Township, New Castle, McMurray, Butler, Franklin Park, Aliquippa, Canonsburg, Beaver Falls, Monaca, Shaler Township, Plum and West Mifflin. This includes the following highways: Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 1 and 56. Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 44 and 110. Parkway North between mile markers 1 and 13. Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 9 and 49 and between mile markers 56 and 84.

According to the weather service, “If you are outdoors, you should seek shelter inside a building. A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for east-central Ohio and western, southwestern, northwestern and west-central Pennsylvania until 11 p.m.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Safety recommendations from experts

Lightning strikes occur about 25 million times each year in the United States, with most of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, about 20 people are killed by lightning strikes each year, according to the Weather Service. The danger from lightning strikes increases as thunderstorms approach, reaching its peak when the storm is directly overhead and gradually diminishing as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, follow these recommendations:

1. Lightning protection plan:

• If you are outdoors, it is important to have a lightning protection plan.
• Watch the sky for ominous signs and listen for sounds of thunder. If thunder is heard, it is an indication that lightning is nearby.
• Find a safe shelter, preferably indoors.

2. Indoor safety measures:

• If you have found shelter in a building, refrain from using corded telephones, electrical appliances or plumbing and do not approach windows and doors.
• These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive paths.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or clap of thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
• Even when a thunderstorm appears to be over, lightning can still strike, so be careful.

If no shelter is available in the house:

If you are outdoors during a thunderstorm and do not have access to shelter, take the following steps to maximize your safety:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops or ridges where the risk of lightning strikes is greater.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
• If you are traveling in a group, make sure that everyone is spread out to prevent lightning current from being transmitted between people.
• Camping outdoors during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no other options, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. It is important to note that a tent does not provide protection from lightning strikes.
• Do not approach bodies of water, wet objects, or metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are good conductors of electricity and can pose significant risks.

In summary, preparation and vigilance are your best allies when you are at risk of being struck by lightning. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of being struck by lightning and put your safety first.

Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and dangerous driving conditions increases. Whether it’s persistent rain or rapid runoff, it’s important to be prepared. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to help you stay safe during heavy rain:

Be careful in case of flooding:

• Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as fast-flowing water may sweep you away during heavy rain.

Keep the safety distance:

• Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, and add an additional two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and be careful:

• On wet roads, it is extremely important to slow down. Ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane carefully:

• On multi-lane roads, stay in the middle lane to minimize the risk of aquaplaning, as water tends to collect in the outer lanes.

Visibility is important:

• Improve your visibility in heavy rain by turning on your headlights. Pay particular attention to vehicles in your blind spot, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Be careful on slippery roads:

• Be especially careful in the first half hour after the rain starts. Dirt and oil on the road surface mix with water and make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid following them too closely and overtake them quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

• Overloaded wiper blades can reduce visibility. If rain severely reduces your visibility, pull over to the side of the road and wait for conditions to improve. Seek shelter in rest areas or places sheltered from the wind.
• If the side of the road is your only option, pull over as far as possible, preferably to the end of a guardrail, and wait for the storm to pass. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your position.

By following these safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your well-being during heavy rain. Stay informed about weather conditions and follow the advice of local authorities to ensure your trip is safe and unharmed.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.