Tornado Watch Issued for Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Far Northern West Virginia

Strategic Insights -

The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Far Northern West Virginia. The watch is in effect from 2:40 PM EDT to 8:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. A low-topped supercell and related hail/wind and tornado potential is expected in the region near a warm front, with a narrow zone of tornadoes possible, scattered damaging wind gusts, and isolated large hail events.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tornado Watch area is approximately 50 statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles north-northwest of Pittsburgh, PA to 30 miles west-southwest of Morgantown, WV.
  • The watch area is defined by a line from 35 NNW PIT/Pittsburgh PA to 30 WSW MGW/Morgantown WV.
  • Persons in the watch area should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
  • A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
  • Brief description:

+ Primary threats: a couple tornadoes possible, scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph possible, isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

+ MOV-+)* Precipitation and Hazardous Weather Outlooks: +

- *clouds/Multicolored/debits (FETCH tornadoes'

- Supercells

Statistics:

  • The tornado watch area is approximately 50 statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles north-northwest of Pittsburgh, PA to 30 miles west-southwest of Morgantown, WV.
  • Probability of events:

+ Probability of 2 or more tornadoes: Moderate (30%)

+ Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes: Low (10%)

+ Probability of 10 or more severe wind events: Moderate (40%)

+ Probability of 1 or more wind events 65 knots: Low (10%)

+ Probability of 10 or more severe hail events: Low (20%)

+ Probability of 1 or more hailstones 2 inches: Low (10%)

Sources:

US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center Norman, OK

USA