Residents of Pittsburgh can expect a weekend of warm, comfortable, and dry weather as high pressure dominates the region. According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh PA, this pleasant climate is forecasted to last through the weekend before giving way to increased rain chances next week. The synoptic situation is courtesy of a slow eastward drift of the upper-level ridge over the Midwest, while surface high pressure moves across the Great Lakes, delivering an easterly flow to keep the humidity at bay. With plenty of sunshine and dry conditions, temperatures are expected to reach mid to upper 80s today.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the city is set to turn even hotter. An interesting blocking pattern is developing, with a system hovering over the Atlantic propelling Pittsburgh into a zone of strong subsidence, which is likely to result in a sunny and hot day. The National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA reports, "Sunday looks like a good day to go above the NBM mean," with the chance of temperatures exceeding 90 degrees being between 60 to 80% for areas south of I-80 and west of the ridges. Monday may still bring low rain probabilities as models continue to resolve the influence of the nearby Atlantic upper low.
While early indications suggested the Northeast was bracing for extreme heat as August approaches, the latest cluster analyses have dialed back these expectations. The shift of the ridge axis back to the west will perpetuate troughing in the East. Despite this, the Climate Prediction Center still holds a moderate risk of excessive heat. For aviation interests, the National Weather Service has indicated VFR through the weekend under high pressure. The good flying conditions are expected to be disrupted next week by slow-moving, low-pressure-induced showers and thunderstorms.
There are currently no advisories, watches, or warnings in effect for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia. For more detailed information, visit the National Weather Service website.
