The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA, has prepared Pittsburghers for a damp end to the weekend, calling for persistent rounds of rain to douse the region through Monday. According to the Service’s Area Forecast Discussion, a string of low-pressure systems will be responsible for the wet conditions, with accumulations expected to peak on Sunday.
The forecast doesn’t quite call for an ark, but it suggests that locals may need to keep their umbrellas handy until the new year. Temperatures are slated to remain above normal before a definitive pattern shift brings both a shift in temperatures and precipitation types. A rare bout of 60-degree weather outside of the northwest parts of PA and the high terrain has been predicted, although this warm spike isn’t anticipated to last long. The Service reported a high probability exists for the mercury to push past 60, which has occurred only seven times on December 28th since 1880.
Looking to the skies tonight, Pittsburgh can expect minimal rainfall, but a determined cloud cover will persist. The region’s residents should enjoy the relatively warmer weather while it lasts because a significant cooldown is looming next week. The approaching rainfall is predicted to generate higher volumes over eastern Ohio, while those east of I-79 might see less accumulation.
A word of advice for the festive folks: the National Weather Service suggested that today is a good day to bring in outdoor inflatables due to the probability of gusty winds developing before Monday morning. Such conditions may well complicate the usual serenity of the season. Sunday, we will see more significant rainfall, especially in eastern Ohio, and later in the day, the possibility of localized damaging wind gusts springs up. The latest trends indicate that eastern Ohio has the potential to see these conditions unfold within the recommended period of vigilance between 4 pm and 8 pm.
As we slide into the coming week, another low-pressure system is set to take the stage on Tuesday, setting the scene for more precipitation. This late-week change in the weather pattern is expected to favor below-normal temperatures, periodic snow, and high terrain gusty wind, per the National Weather Service forecast discussion. Northwest PA and higher elevations should brace for some winter weather advisories, with strong gusts predicted for the West Virginia highlands from Wednesday to Friday.
The aviation outlook remains cautious for avid flyers. Rain-induced restrictions are likely through Monday. A respite might come late Monday or early Tuesday, although another low-pressure system is right on its heels. Travelers are advised to stay informed as conditions evolve.
