A flood watch is in place for several western Pennsylvania counties until Friday afternoon as rain and higher temperatures could lead to ice jam flooding. 

The watch covers Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Fayette, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Venango and Westmoreland counties until 1 p.m. Friday. 

Ice jams could raise water levels quickly

The snow depth for Pittsburgh officially hit zero at 7 a.m., the National Weather Service said, making it the first time since Jan. 14 that there hasn’t been a measurable snow pack or a trace.

But the warmer temperatures come with the threat of flooding. The NWS said the Youghiogheny and the Allegheny rivers may see some ice movement over the coming days. Ice jam flooding comes with little warning, the NWS said, and people near rivers and creeks are reminded to stay vigilant. 

The North Sewickley Township Police Department alerted residents just before noon on Thursday about rising water levels, adivisng people who live along the Connoquenessing Creek to evacuate. Nearby, the New Sewickley Fire District warned people in Marion Township of rising water levels due to ice jams. 

When will the rain arrive? 

Scattered showers are forming in advance of a warm front, which will move towards the Pittsburgh metro around Thursday evening. A more widespread and potent wave of rain and thunderstorms arrives overnight into Friday morning.

While states west could see severe storms, the intensity is expected to diminish as they head toward Pennsylvania. Despite that, some non-severe thunderstorms and pockets of heavy rain are still likely between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday. 

Most areas will receive around half an inch, but with training storms, some isolated 1 to 1.5 inches are possible, which could lead to localized flooding. 

As the cold front with this strong area of low pressure moves east during the midday to early afternoon hours of Friday, isolated thunderstorms can’t be ruled out between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a very low-end potential that anything could turn strong to severe. 

Falling temperatures and gusty winds will occur behind the boundary with gusts upwards of 40 to 50 mph through the evening. Some wrap-around rain mixed with snow showers is possible tomorrow evening for areas near and north of I-80.  

Mike Wagner, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ famed “Steel Curtain” defense, has died, the team said. He was 76 years old.  

Steelers president Art Rooney II announced Wagner’s death in a statement on Wednesday night. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Wagner had been battling pancreatic cancer since being diagnosed in the summer of 2020.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Wagner, a tremendous player and an integral part of some of the most successful teams in Pittsburgh Steelers history,” Rooney’s statement said on Wednesday. 

Wagner, an 11th-round pick in the 1971 NFL draft out of Western Illinois, was a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams as a defensive back. He made the Pro Bowl in 1975 and 1976, and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 1976. 

“His toughness and consistency were paramount to our secondary. His contributions on the field were significant, but it was also his steady presence and team-first mentality that truly defined him,” Rooney’s statement said. 

Wagner played all 10 seasons with the Steelers, appearing in 119 games, including starting 116 games. He tallied 36 interceptions, including a career-high eight in 1973. In his final season in 1980, he had six interceptions in 15 games.  

“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike’s family,” Rooney’s statement said. “He will always be remembered as a champion, a great teammate, and a proud member of the Steelers family.”