Skies over Pittsburgh are set to clear after a drenching Saturday morning. According to the National Weather Service, the showers that have been pummeling the area are expected to subside, resulting in a cooler and drier Saturday afternoon. This respite comes in the wake of a cold front that's been making its presence felt across the region.
Early risers in Pittsburgh saw the last of the rain this morning, as the low-pressure system responsible for the precipitation moved northeast. As the departing rain falls, temperatures drop throughout the day due to cold advection, which is the movement of cool air in behind the cold front. Some areas north of I-80 might even dip into the upper 40s, while parts south of Pittsburgh can expect temperatures in the upper 50s.
The forecast also indicates that breezy conditions will persist throughout Saturday with wind gusts potentially reaching 20-25 knots. While the gray clouds are likely to remain for the day, a high-pressure system building in from the Great Lakes is set to gradually clear the skies and lower CIGs as we head into the night. Temperatures are expected to bottom out in the mid-to-upper 30s.
Looking ahead to Sunday and Monday, the weather service predicts more agreeable conditions. High pressure will be more prominent over Pittsburgh, bringing sunshine and a slight warmth, although temperatures will still be slightly below average. By Monday, a shift towards southerly winds signals a return to the 70s under sunny skies, providing a more inviting start to the workweek. However, it's not all blue skies on the horizon, as the potential for weather, including showers and thunderstorms, looms for the midweek thanks to an incoming cold front.
In terms of aviation, the recent weather disturbances have been causing some headaches. Some areas are already witnessing a taper in showers as the front clears out, leading to deteriorating conditions with IFR to LIFR CIGs expected. The high pressure inching in today should alleviate some of these concerns, boosting CIGs and leading to better flying conditions. By Sunday and Monday, VFR conditions are expected to prevail. Still, pilots should prepare for potential restrictions to return on Tuesday and continue into Wednesday with the arrival of the next weather system.
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