Pittsburghers can look forward to a shift in weather patterns starting today with a return to dry conditions and cooler temperatures, according to the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA. The forecast discussion, released early this morning, indicates light snow showers and drizzle will persist in higher terrains but will clear as the day progresses.
As the surface high pressure takes hold across the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley, residents can expect afternoon temperatures to struggle in the 20s to lower 30s despite the ample sunshine. Overnight, the mercury is set to dip into the lower 20s to upper teens as clouds increase again with the approach of the next shortwave system.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the forecast suggests a slight uptick in temperature, with rain and a rain/snow mix possible, especially north of Pittsburgh. "Increasing warmth again Sunday and Rain and rain/snow mix mainly north of Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon," the National Weather Service forecast discussion points out.
Come Monday, a passing cold front could bring low chances of rain, continuing the pattern of above-average temperatures. However, the real attention-grabber is a likely widespread precipitation system in store for a mid-to-late week. As the forecast predicts, rain and snow chances return Wednesday and Thursday with low pressure, possibly starting with freezing rain on Wednesday before turning to light snow early Friday.
For the aviators, the eroded clouds have made for VFR conditions, with winds expected to settle down later today. However, Sunday may bring MVFR cigs and sporadic light rain or drizzle, particularly affecting northwest PA, as stated in the aviation section of the forecast. Through early next week, gusty winds could also come into play as low pressure passes to the north of the region.
With no watches, warnings, or advisories currently in place for PA, OH, or WV, it seems like a fairly typical week ahead for weather in the Pittsburgh area — punctuated with periods of intermittent rain and above-average temperatures, with a potential for a slight cooldown by the week's end.
