Scattered showers today, potential for stronger storms this evening

Those with outdoor plans today may have to dodge raindrops, and stronger storms may roll through tonight, local weather experts warn.

The stronger thunderstorms could blow in after 6 p.m., according to meteorologist Brian Hutton Jr. of TribLive news partner WTAE.

“(The storms) could produce some damaging wind gusts and heavy rain that could cause localized flash flooding,” Hutton Jr. said. “Storms will end by 11 p.m. with rain ending overnight.”

The majority of Western Pennsylvania, east central Ohio and northern West Virginia are under a hazardous weather outlook, which warns of a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Moon.

There is also a potential for locally heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding, according to the forecast.

“What it looks like right now is that any storm that could develop could bring a damaging wind threat, but that’s going to be conditional on storms actually developing,” meteorologist Matt Brundy said. “If they do develop, we’ll have an isolated wind threat. But it looks like the highest coverage may be a little bit to the south.”

Late afternoon to early evening is the time of largest potential risk, he said. Some rain and a few rumbles of thunder could linger in the overnight hours, but by morning on Saturday, things should be mostly dry, he said.