Severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon

A series of thunderstorms will likely hit Pittsburgh this afternoon, bringing strong wind gusts,… A series of thunderstorms will likely hit Pittsburgh this afternoon, bringing strong wind gusts, heavy rains and a chance of hail.

Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said that the storms could bring wind gusts up to 50 mph, rainfall as fast as an inch per hour and possibly hail up to an inch in diameter, although the hail is unlikely.

Hendricks said that the chance of damaging wind gusts was the primary concern presented by these storms.

Anyone outside during the storms should move inside a building and stay away from windows, Hendricks said. He said that the wind could pick up small objects that might injure people.

“It probably wouldn’t be good to be outside in one of these things,” he said.

The National Weather Service’s special weather statement for Allegheny County said the storms will likely hit Pittsburgh between 3 and 5 p.m., and Hendricks said the chance of scattered storms will continue throughout the evening.

Though it’s relatively sunny and warm this morning, Hendricks said that the storms will be followed by a cold front and a chance of rain through Tuesday.