Helene Barrels North, Will Impact Pittsburgh Area

PITTSBURGH, PA — Three people are dead and more than two million people are without power as the former Hurricane Helene - now downgraded to a tropical storm - heads north after battering Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The devastating storm's impact on Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, however, will be modest.

The National Weather Service is calling for a damp day Friday, with showers developing after noon. Expect a windy day in Pittsburgh, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The weather service recommends securing any loose items outside.

The winds are expected to die down after tonight, but there will be a lingering chance of precipitation for the next several days. The chance of rain is 60 percent on Saturday night, 70 percent on Sunday and Monday and 60 percent on Tuesday.

Sunny weather finally is forecast to return by mid-week, with high temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s.