Pittsburgh residents can expect a brief respite from winter's chill today as warmer temperatures are forecasted. However, this will be short-lived as rain and colder weather are near the horizon, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA. While Eastern Tucker County in West Virginia should brace for wind gusts hitting up to 55 mph, necessitating a wind advisory, other areas are also gearing up for gusts ranging between 25 and 35 mph. However, these should gradually wind down as the day progresses.
The temperature improvement today, reportedly about 5 degrees above average, might feel like a brief invitation to shed one's heavier layers. Still, residents are advised to enjoy it. At the same time, it lasts, as a shift is coming, "Dry and warmer weather is expected today," but "Rain returns late tonight and Monday with a warm front," per the National Weather Service's latest forecast discussion. A southern stream shortwave, moving out of the southern Plains, will reach the Upper Ohio Valley region by Monday, ultimately bringing approximately half an inch of rain and potentially more during the late morning to afternoon as a low-level jet crosses the area.
Following the initial bout of rainfall, the steady rain should taper off from W-E late Monday and Monday night. However, patchy light rain or drizzle might linger due to residual low-level moisture. Long-term perspectives suggest bracing for snow mid-week, with a 50 percent probability of accumulation in certain high—terrain areas but little to minimal chances elsewhere, setting the scene for a typical winter week in Pittsburgh.
For the latter part of the week, temperatures are expected to stabilize into what might be deemed seasonal norms. This temporary equilibrium might be interrupted come Saturday when rain chances return, a pattern aligning with the ebb and flow of a Pittsburgh winter of fluctuations and the fickle whims of regional weather systems.
Aviation-wise, the weather forecast presents itself as a tale of two skies: VFR conditions and high clouds dominating today, with LLWS concerns surfacing mainly between 06-14z due to a strong nocturnal low-level jet, potentially causing wind speeds at 2kft to reach between 40-50kts. Anticipated MVFR decks will pose a greater challenge come noon tomorrow for specific areas due to lake moisture drawn in by northwest flow. Come Monday, more widespread flight restrictions are anticipated with the arrival of the warm front and subsequent rain, continuing through Tuesday and further complicated by rain/snow mixtures on Wednesday.
