The city of Pittsburgh can expect a return to drier, more seasonable weather conditions this Saturday. The forecast, which signals a much-needed break for residents after enduring the recent bouts of humid weather, predicts a lingering few showers tapering off this morning, with clearer skies by the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Pittsburgh PA.
After isolated lingering showers exit early this morning, "Dry weather returns through Monday with temperatures rising well above normal by Monday afternoon," as stated by the NWS forecast. While the remnants of last night's trough might provoke some scattered storms until dawn, the main story for today seems focused on a collective sigh of relief, as more agreeable weather takes root, and the oppressive muggy air begins to clear.
Saturday's respite comes as welcome news in what's been a sticky stretch, a mixed cumulus field developing in late morning and the weak cool advection will play their parts in escorting in the pleasant change. "Drier southwest flow and ridging at the surface will support dry weather today," the NWS added, hinting at the collective yearning for the sunshine and the soft caress of a less humid breeze.
The short-term outlook is no less promising. Temperatures are anticipated to climb steadily through to Monday as the area sits comfortably under dry conditions. However, with moist air on its way back, and potential cloud breaks, fog development, especially in river valleys, is expected for Sunday morning. Evening temperatures will level out, conforming to more seasonal norms, providing that evening chill that so often defines a Pittsburgh summer night.
Looking into next week, forecasts project a continuation of the warm trend, but with an extra side of thunderstorms as unsettled weather makes a comeback Tuesday through midweek. As the NWS points out, near 90F highs and 70F dewpoints suggest that while we might not quite reach advisory levels, there's a low probability for flash flood risk and potentially other severe hazards. The dance between the dry spells and the damp ones seems set to continue for a while, choreographed by shifting troughs and high-pressure jousts.
For aviators, the news is a mixed bag: initial widespread MVFR/IFR ceiling concerns have ebbed as the cloud cover dissipates, with a return to VFR expected after 15z. Nevertheless, the early clearing forecasted by the NWS could result in fog that had more fog coverage than previously expected. The window for any potential restrictions hinges tightly on the movements and moods of the next weather system due to arrive on Tuesday.
