The Pittsburgh area experienced a series of severe weather on Friday, with three confirmed tornado touchdowns, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The tornadoes were reported near Harrison City in Westmoreland County, in the Lincoln-Mount Vernon-Elrama area in Allegheny County, and on Washington Boulevard near the Highland Park Bridge near Aspinwall.

This recent bout of tornado activity adds to an already active weather month for Pittsburgh. So far this year, Pennsylvania has witnessed a total of six tornadoes, with nine occurring within NWS Pittsburgh's coverage area in May alone, which includes parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

Videos circulating online captured what appeared to be tornadoes or funnel clouds near Hyland Road in Harrison City and East Liberty, looking towards the Highland Park Bridge. The severe weather caused significant damage, with downed trees impacting traffic on Washington Boulevard near Allegheny River Boulevard during rush hour.

The frequency of tornadoes this year in Pittsburgh has raised questions about the reasons behind these occurrences. Fred McMullen, a meteorologist at NWS Pittsburgh, attributed it to the lack of cold air during the winter season. He explained that when a warm season arrives quickly after a mild winter, it brings moist air and wind shear into the region, creating an environment conducive to tornado formation.

Typically, tornado season in western Pennsylvania peaks around June, but meteorologists warn that more tornadoes may be on the horizon. As a precautionary measure, Friday was designated as a "First Alert Weather Day" due to the potential for severe weather in the area.

Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest weather advisories and follow any instructions provided by local authorities.