Rain tapering off, could turn to snow flurries; flooding still poses threat in Pittsburgh region

The heavy rain showers that saturated much of the region on Sunday have tapered off and could turn into snow flurries as the temperature drops, according to the National Weather Service in Moon.

Steady rain through much of Sunday dumped 1 inch of rain in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, according to meteorologist Michael Brown.

The precipitation resulted in the weather service issuing a hazardous weather outlook for southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia because of elevated river and stream levels.

“The rain is mostly done, but we could see some snowflakes later today,” Brown said on Monday morning. “It’s going to be chilly and breezy with 15 mph winds from the northwest that could gust to between 25 and 30 mph.”

Brown said even though temperatures will be in the high 30s to low 40s today, the wind will make it feel like it is in the 20s.

As we dry out this morning, wind will pick up this afternoon. Gusts will be highest north of I-80 where speeds could reach 45 mph. Snow showers are possible north of I80 as well this afternoon. A quick dusting is possible. pic.twitter.com/q99Abapbjf

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 1, 2021

The outlook, which is in effect for several Western Pennsylvania counties, including Westmoreland and Allegheny, warns of rises in area rivers and streams with the possibility for localized flooding.

Meteorologists noted that flooding concerns are centered around the Monongahela and Cheat rivers in areas to the west and south of the two counties.

According to the National Weather Service website, a flood advisory was issued for Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania as well as Monongalia and Preston counties in West Virginia.

As a precaution, the Mon Wharf parking area in Downtown Pittsburgh is closed through Wednesday.

The weather service reported that the rain totals over the weekend ranged from 1.23 inches in Irwin to 2.41 inches in Mannington, W.Va.

Here are rainfall totals over the past 48 hours. Highest amounts are in West Virginia. A more comprehensive list can be found here. https://t.co/58sMTYOQQe pic.twitter.com/KLlGG8SspN

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 1, 2021

The temperature was about 50 at midnight on Sunday and dropped throughout the night and early morning. Monday’s high temperature will be 41 degrees and then drop to a low of 19 overnight.

Tuesday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with a high temperature around 40.

The sunny skies are expected to remain throughout much of the week with a high temperature of 51 expected on Wednesday before cooling off again.

There is no precipitation in the forecast through Sunday.