Bundle up, Pittsburgh, because we're in for a chilly weekend. The National Weather Service has just issued its latest forecast discussion, and if you're east of the city, be ready for some scattered showers today. While the western counties may see some clearing, this weekend is still expected to be cooler than usual. The service notes that Saturday high temperatures are about 10 to 15 degrees below normal, keeping sweater weather alive and well into April.
The skies should start to clear as we head into the night, setting us up for dryer conditions come Sunday. However, Pittsburgh's Saturday has been painted quite gray, with the low-pressure system moving up the coast and leaving plenty of cloud cover. As the cloud cover slowly erodes tonight, temperatures could dip into the lower 30s, so you might want to hold off on putting away those winter blankets. And although there's not much concern for freezing conditions, some isolated areas in higher terrain might see a bit of a frost. The National Weather Service adds that the cloud cover during the day will allow for 5 to 10 degrees below normal high temperatures, ensuring we keep those jackets at hand for at least another day.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the mercury is set to climb back to normal, with highs hovering around the 60-degree mark and that cozy high pressure to thank for the dry spell. But don't let the warm-up fool you because come Monday, we could be looking at a swing back to severe weather courtesy of another low-pressure system roaring in. According to the forecast discussion, Monday will bring the potential of severe weather as a stout cold front swings through the forecast area on Monday late afternoon/evening. This implies that we should all be on the lookout for rough winds and possibly even a tornado or two.
Once that front has moved through, prepare for another dose of the chills with a cold snap expected for Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially ushering in some snow showers Tuesday night. Ground temperatures should be warm enough to prevent any real accumulation, but it's a reminder that winter can be remarkably stubborn in Pittsburgh. High pressure will dominate again midweek with a return to dry conditions. As the week rolls on, temperatures seem to trend toward normal to above-normal values, giving us hope that perhaps the chilliest days are behind us.
The forecast for pilots or anyone planning to fly this weekend is mixed. The National Weather Service aviation forecast calls for mostly MVFR ceilings early, which gradually improve as the day progresses.
