As Pittsburgh natives eye the skies, they can expect to catch a break from the morning showers, with drier conditions rolling in by the afternoon. According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA, today's mild reprieve seems to simply be the calm before the storm, as the remnants of Hurricane Helene might get to influencing the weekend weather.
The National Weather Service's early bulletin discussed the day's forecast, mentioning scattered morning showers expected to dry out as the day progresses, with temperatures above normal. There's a slight chance for the sun to peek through the persistent clouds, but don't bank on catching too much of its warmth. The atmosphere's mood swings are potentially set to take another dive, with Helene's remnants eager to shake things up starting Friday.
Friday's forecast brings a crescendo of uncertainty. If the outer bands of Helene's leftovers reach as far as the western NC/SC border by Friday morning, we might see an increase in rain south of Pittsburgh. This might trigger the beginning of a south-easterly wind, promising nothing, if not inconsistency, to the comfort of above-average temperature and cloud coverage.
Aviation interests should take note: flying conditions are expected to be mostly VFR (Visual Flight Rules) early on, with occasional dips into IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) territory, especially at smaller area airports like ZZV, FKL, and DUJ. Rain should let up by Thursday afternoon, making room for improved visibility.
The NWS has not issued bulletins for those monitoring advisories for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia. Keep an eye out for updates, especially as Helene's remnants potentially tousle the weekend weather. In the face of this erratic meteorological mood, Pittsburghers may do well to carry an umbrella alongside their shades.
