Flood, High Wind Watches Issued Monday & Tuesday in Baldwin-Whitehall

Hurricane Sandy is forecast to bring heavy rains, strong winds and a significant storm surge to the United States' Mid-Atlantic and southern New England areas on Monday and Tuesday—and the Pittsburgh region will be affected.

The National Weather Service has issued flood and high wind watches for the region—including Baldwin Borough, Whitehall Borough and Baldwin Township—for Monday and Tuesday.

The flood watch—in effect from 6 a.m. on Monday to 7 p.m. on Tuesday—details that prolonged and heavy rain associated with a cold front and a post-Tropical Storm Sandy might cause some trouble. According to the weather service, areas that get more than 2 inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday might see flooding in spots of poor drainage. Larger rivers also might be impacted.

The high wind watch is in effect from noon on Monday to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. For the Pittsburgh region, winds could blow 25 to 35 mph, or even up to 60 mph. The winds could knock down trees and utility lines.

Here's a look at the National Weather Service's forecast for, roughly, the Baldwin-Whitehall area:

• Monday—Rain. High near 44. Breezy, with a northwest wind of 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible.
• Monday Night—Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 39. Windy, with a northwest wind of 29 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.
• Tuesday—Rain. High near 46. Windy, with a northwest wind of 21 to 26 mph decreasing to 14 to 19 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch are possible.
• Tuesday Night—Rain. Low around 36. West wind of 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.
• Wednesday—Rain and snow showers, becoming all rain after 9 a.m. High near 43. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible.
• Wednesday Night—Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Links & Tips

To see how Allegheny County officials and local Red Cross crews are preparing for the storm (and what items you should have on hand), click here.

To track Hurricane Sandy's path, click here.

Should you take any weather-related photos that tell the story of how our area is being impacted, upload them at this article's address by clicking on "Upload Photos and Videos" above.

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