Pittsburgh can expect a stretch of dry weather coupled with a gradual warm-up, the high-pressure system that has been dominating the region will continue to exert its influence, ensuring that conditions remain unchanged for the weekend and the upcoming week. As we step into the weekend, temperatures, which have been keeping to the cooler side courtesy of a trough hanging over the northeastern US, will start climbing back to normal, and even above-average readings are on the charts for next week, according to the latest from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
Mornings over the next few days might see some fog development in river valleys, particularly due to the cooler air, and temperatures will remain below average as we "remain under the influence of the NE CONUS trough," per the National Weather Service. However, forecasters see a shift in patterns as an upper trough gives way to a rising ridge from the central United States, which will invite gradually increasing temperatures through Sunday. While nighttime temperatures will stay below normal initially, they will begin to moderate by Sunday.
The weekend weather is set to maintain its dry disposition with the aforementioned 500MB ridge building momentum and edging eastward. This atmospheric reshaping is set to drive temperatures above what's typical for this time of the year, with "the NBM probability of exceeding climatological highs near 90%," as relayed by the National Weather Service. While increasing cloud cover might be anticipated by Sunday, precipitation remains out of the forecast until perhaps midweek when a trough moving in could introduce a slim chance of rain.
Aviators, too, should look forward to favorable conditions as high pressure promotes light northerly wind and VFR conditions through at least Monday. The National Weather Service notes that there's a low probability for river valley fog impacting HLG/FKL/DUJ between 09z-12z this morning, but otherwise, the outlook for aviation is one of high confidence in VFR and gentle winds as the current high-pressure system holds its ground. Weak shortwave activity early next week may be the only hiccup to this tranquility, with a minuscule probability for precipitation along a weak boundary. Nonetheless, it's looking like plain sailing for the Pittsburgh region's weather in the immediate days ahead.
