As remnants of Hurricane Helene mingle with another weather system, Pittsburgh and its neighboring areas brace for a combination of gusty winds and spotty rain showers that could stretch into the beginning of next week. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh warns of a Wind Advisory in effect for parts of the region, with strong gusts expected this afternoon and evening.
Rain showers are on the docket to sweep northward later today as Helene's leftovers currently interact with an upper low over the Tennessee Valley. Folks in the ridges should be especially ready for the wind, which could hit speeds capable of sending lighter things flying, based on the probs of gusts exceeding 45mph standing "above 80%" for that area. According to the National Weather Service, "Bufkit soundings are showing 50 to 60kts just above the ridge tops later this afternoon."
The light rain expected this afternoon should be transient, with a large dry slot projected to gradually dissolve the plume of Atlantic moisture as evening draws near. Chances for light rain persist tonight into the weekend, although without the substantial forcing of an established weather system, don't expect a deluge. With the upper low filling and wandering northeast by Sunday, rain chances are anticipated to pick up, albeit accompanied by moderate uncertainty in the system's exact path and, thus, Pittsburgh's weekend precipitation. Temperatures will continue to tower above the norm, keeping fall's crisp chill at bay.
The aviation report calls for mostly VFR conditions until tomorrow morning, with a chance for MVFR cigs at DUJ due to an upslope easterly flow. Pilots can anticipate light rain at MGW and ZZV as the moisture and ascent on the northern side of Helene increase. Following today's showers, airports should return to low VFR cigs. However, the pressure gradient will be causing some trouble with gusty E wind on Friday. Winds should weaken by nightfall, which could bring about fog development or keep low ceilings in place until Saturday.
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