Pittsburgh is bracing for a dynamic shift in weather today, as detailed in a report by the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA. Snow showers and potential squalls accompany a cold front sweeping the region, expecting gusty winds to persist throughout the day. Mainly affected areas are set to be in Western Pennsylvania, where the squalls are indicated to be more likely due to favorable moisture content in the dendritic layer. The report notes that a tight surface pressure gradient in the vicinity of the front and the mixing down of a low-level jet should result in wind gusts up to 35 mph for the lower elevations. In comparison, some ridges might experience gusts to 50 mph, and a High Wind Warning is in place for eastern Tucker County, with gusts potentially reaching up to 65 mph.
The immediate update from the National Weather Service includes an adjustment to the predicted areas of precipitation, decreasing the likelihood of snowfall south of Rt 422 today and predicting higher temperatures for the morning. The bulk of the moisture—and therefore the higher chances for snowfalls—is concentrated north of Pittsburgh, with possible accumulations ranging from 1 to 2 inches. In contrast, areas near Zanesville, OH (ZZV), will likely see scant snowfall, if any.
Moving into the evening, the forecast anticipates that snow showers will taper off as high pressure starts to assert itself, leading to decreasing winds and clearing skies. Thursday should bring respite from the recent bluster with dry and somewhat warmer conditions under a regime of warm advection flow. However, this brief period of calm may be short-lived as rain is predicted to return Thursday night into Friday. According to the National Weather Service, the rain may raise concerns about river conditions and potential ice breakup due to the current water equivalent of snowpack on the ground and the expected rainfall of 0.5 to 1.25 inches.
Looking further ahead, the long-term forecast calls for a colder but dry Saturday, with indications that temperatures will begin to climb from Sunday onward. At the start of next week, we could see minimal precipitation chances. Generally, the forecast shows that dry weather is expected on Saturday as surface high pressure builds under the broad trough. As for aviation concerns, the frontal boundary near Pittsburgh may not advance as far south as thought, with less pessimistic modeling on the reach of MVFR stratocu. The latest statements suggest a range of uncertainty with MVFR ceilings possibly impacting areas along and south of a line between Beaver Falls (BVI), Pittsburgh (PIT), Allegheny County Airport (AGC), and Latrobe (LBE).
