Thursday ‘Impact Day’: Timeline for the Heaviest Rain
Thursday Impact Day: Heavy Rain & Flood Concerns for Pittsburgh Area
By Mike Harvey, WTAE Weather Team
Get ready for a wet morning commute — but don’t worry, the weekend looks much better!
What’s Happening? (The Big Picture)
Think of Thursday as "Impact Day" — that’s weather-speak for "This weather will mess up your normal routine." A big batch of rain is moving in overnight, and Thursday morning’s commute is going to be soggy, slow, and possibly flooded in spots.
But here’s the good news: The rain wraps up by lunchtime, and Friday looks absolutely gorgeous — just in time for Steelers football!
Important Alerts You Need to Know
FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT
When: 4 PM Wednesday → 2 PM Thursday
Where: Greene, Monongalia, and Washington counties
Why: The ground is already soaked from last weekend’s storms. Add another inch of rain, and water has nowhere to go but up — onto roads, into basements, and over creek banks.
Even if you’re outside these counties: Keep an eye on local roads. Anywhere that got hit hard last weekend could flood again.
Thursday Timeline: Hour by Hour
| Time | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Overnight | Rain arrives by sunrise. Low: 64° |
| 6–9 AM | Heaviest rain — especially south of Pittsburgh. Slow commute. Ponding on roads. |
| 9 AM – Noon | Rain still steady, but tapering off. High: 77° |
| Afternoon | Clearing from west to east. Dry by mid-afternoon. |
| Evening | Much nicer! Low: 59° |
Rain Total: 1+ inch possible in spots — that’s a month’s worth of rain in a few hours.
Where Will It Be Worst?
- South of Pittsburgh → Bullseye for heaviest downpours
- Low-lying areas → Creeks, streams, poor-drainage neighborhoods
- Places flooded last weekend → Ground is like a wet sponge — can’t absorb more
Friday: The "Apology" Day
After Thursday’s mess, Mother Nature says "sorry" with a beautiful Friday:
- Tailgate weather: 70s, mostly sunny
- Steelers vs. Jets at Acrisure Stadium: Partly cloudy, 80° — about as perfect as it gets
- Overnight low: 59° (open the windows!)
Weekend Outlook: Showers, Not Storms
| Day | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Scattered showers — hit or miss. Not a washout. |
| Sunday | More showers, maybe a rumble of thunder. Still not all-day rain. |
| Monday | System exits! Dry, comfortable, "September preview" begins. |
Your Action Plan (Numbered Steps)
- Tonight: Charge phones, check sump pump, move valuables off basement floor
- Thursday AM: Leave 30+ minutes early for work/school
- Thursday AM: NEVER drive through standing water — 6 inches floats a car
- Thursday PM: Enjoy the clearing — maybe a walk?
- Friday: Fire up the grill, wear black & gold!
Quick Summary
- Thursday = Impact Day: Heavy rain, flood risk, messy morning commute
- Flood Watch: Greene, Monongalia, Washington counties (but watch everywhere)
- Rain ends by lunch → Friday is awesome
- Weekend: Scattered showers, not a washout
- Next week: Dry, comfortable, fall-like
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What exactly is an "Impact Day"?
A: It’s our way of saying "This weather will impact your daily life" — think slower commutes, school delays, event changes. It’s not a formal warning, just a heads-up.
Q: Is the Flood Watch for my street?
A: The watch covers entire counties (Greene, Monongalia, Washington). But flooding is local — your street could flood even if the next one doesn’t. Watch low spots.
Q: Should I cancel Thursday plans?
A: Morning plans? Yes, have a backup. Afternoon/evening plans? Should be fine — rain ends by lunch.
Q: Will the Steelers game be affected?
A: Nope! Friday looks perfect — 70s for tailgating, 80° for kickoff, mostly sunny.
Q: When does "fall" really start?
A: Monday! A cool, dry air mass takes over — highs in 70s, lows in 50s. Sweater weather incoming.
Stay safe Thursday morning — and enjoy that beautiful Friday!
– Mike Harvey & the WTAE Weather Team