Strong wind gusts and scattered pea-sized hail struck the Pittsburgh region on Tuesday as a weather system also brought bursts of precipitation and small windows of sunshine. 

Pittsburgh International Airport reported wind speeds of up to 52 miles per hour. Similar gusts were reported across Western Pennsylvania, with Butler County Airport reaching 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Moon.

“These are the kind of conditions where you’ll see whitecaps on the rivers,” said meteorologist Fred McMullen.  

Duquesne Light was reporting nearly 5,000 power outages across the region as of 4:30 p.m.

Here are the updated top wind speeds from 945am - 1245am. #Pittsburgh International Airport the highest value in our area so far. #pawx #wvwx #ohwx pic.twitter.com/tc6OgkIhJi

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) April 15, 2025

Choppier waves are forecast to hit the three rivers at the Point as strong west winds funnel through the region later on Tuesday, Mr. McMullen said. The river level measured 16.6 feet at the Point on Tuesday, a level consistent with what meteorologists have measured in recent days and isn’t expected to rise, he said.

There were reports of downed trees across the region, and forecasters issued a warning for anyone outside to exercise caution around areas with heavy tree coverage.

The remainder of Tuesday is expected to bring a variety of weather patterns, with meteorologists expecting a “wash, rinse and repeat” pattern of sun, showers and gusts to continue through the late afternoon hours.

“What you see is what you get. You’ll see a whole hodgepodge of sunshine, a shower comes through, gusty winds, maybe some pea-sized hail and then the sun comes back out,” Mr. McMullen said.

Numerous reports of down trees coming in as winds gust between 45 to 55 mph in the passing showers. Be careful if you are outside and working near trees.

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) April 15, 2025

Overnight, areas north of Pittsburgh, including Butler County, could see scattered snow. Wednesday is expected to see highs reaching the upper 40s, Mr. McMullen said, but temperatures may dip to freezing overnight into Thursday morning, followed by a warming trend. 

Thursday will reach 60 degrees with sunshine and Friday is forecast to hit 74 degrees with a 30% chance of rain.  

Sunday’s Easter holiday looks mostly dry, Mr. McMullen said, with a high expected near 55 degrees with a mix of sunshine and clouds.

First Published: April 15, 2025, 8:10 p.m.
Updated: April 16, 2025, 2:02 a.m.