As Pittsburgh wakes up to patchy morning fog, the National Weather Service Pittsburgh assures residents that clarity will resume as the day progresses. According to their morning report, the fog is set to lift by mid-morning, making way for dry weather and near-normal temperatures throughout the day.
The forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service, also suggests that after the recent bout of precipitation, dry northwest flow and high pressure from the northwest will help diminish lingering cloud cover. This transition will support a return to more seasonable afternoon temperatures with a possibility of northwest wind gusts around 20 mph, with cool dry air moving in and partial cloud cover hanging on the season's edge.
Looking ahead into tonight and Friday night, Pittsburgh can expect the dry weather to persist. "Surface high-pressure transitions over New England and heights rise ahead of the next upper-level shortwave." the National Weather Service notes, predicting that temperatures will notch above the daily average by around 5 degrees on Friday.
However, as we venture into the weekend, the forecast turns less benign with increasing probabilities of showers and thunderstorms. The National Weather Service warns, "Severe and Flash Flood threat returns Saturday." indicating that the pleasant respite afforded by today's weather is merely a calm before the storm. With CAPE values between 1000-2000J/kg and effective shear between 30kts and 40kts, conditions are ripe for severe weather occurrences, affirmed by thunderstorm probabilities that surge early Saturday morning as a surface low traverses the upper Great Lakes.
In terms of air travel, the National Weather Service expects little disruption through Friday with high pressure maintaining the upper hand. Although the probability of broken decks becoming scattered is high, resulting in VFR boundary layer cumulus by this afternoon, a warm front crossing Friday night may pose some limitations. "Restrictions are likely Sat and Sat night with showers and thunderstorms" forewarns the National Weather Service forecast, but Pittsburgh should see a return to VFR under the auspices of high pressure by Sunday.
For now, Pittsburghers can enjoy the respite from the wet weather but should brace for a potentially tumultuous weekend as Mother Nature prepares her encore performance. Remember to stay tuned to the latest weather updates and prepare accordingly for any severe weather eventuality.
