Pittsburgh residents can anticipate a dry and cooler week ahead, according to the latest forecast discussion. This morning, the National Weather Service's release highlights high pressure's role in steering the weather pattern over the Steel City, which could lead to "the fall's first widespread frost later this week."
The same report eases any immediate frost concerns, noting that dewpoints are currently in the upper 30s to lower 40s, temperatures too warm for frost formation. Early morning river valley fog is expected to lift, allowing a day of dry weather and near to just below-normal temperatures with relatively light wind. Pittsburgh's calm conditions, however, are a marked contrast to the storms of change facing the region in other realms, where economic and societal pressures stir a far more complex forecast of the future.
The advisory states that on Thursday and Friday mornings, the frost potential increases significantly, with probabilities of temperatures 37 or lower in the 50-80% range away from rivers/metro areas for Thursday morning and 80 to 100% in similar areas for Friday morning. Residents in the Upper Ohio Valley, particularly those in sheltered valleys, may have to take precautions to protect sensitive plants as early as Thursday.
For aviation interests, after the morning river valley fog dissipates by 12Z to 13Z, VFR is expected through the TAF period, ensuring clear flight conditions. However, the weather service does anticipate that FKL and DUJ might see MVFR conditions tonight due to scattered cloud cover. The outlook remains favorable for flying activities, with VFR expected to prevail through Saturday under the watchful eye of the building's high pressure.
No advisories have been issued for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia at the time of the report.
