As a chilly front makes its way across Pittsburgh, residents should brace for a significant drop in temperatures alongside some heavy rainfall, particularly in the southern regions. According to an early morning update by the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA, "A mesoscale convective system (MCS) is currently tracking across southern Indiana, southern Ohio, and Kentucky early this morning," with reported accumulated rainfall reaching 1.50 to 2 inches in some areas.
The NWS has issued a Flood Watch for Preston/Tucker County, West Virginia, with concerns that "Expect rapid rises along small streams and main steam rivers late this evening and into early Saturday morning." The incoming low-pressure system, which has deepened significantly—around 20 millibars in 24 hours—is expected to bring the most rainfall over West Virginia with estimates of 0.50 to 1.00 inch but possibly rising locally to 2-3 inches in specific counties such as southern Preston and Tucker.
Colder air is forecasted to follow the rain, and Saturday is looking to be "Blustery and cool weather with readings 10 to 15F below normal," as per the NWS. The drop in temperature is attributed to a trough passing overhead with 500 mb heights expected to be 3 standard deviations below normal, a stark contrast to typical late May weather.
However, there's a light at the end of the tunnel with "Warming temperatures begin Sunday and continue through midweek," the NWS predicts a notable uptick in the mercury readings, potentially pushing temperatures well into the 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday, just in time to herald the arrival of June and hopefully, a taste of summer.
The weather conditions are expected to impact aviation as well, with projections suggesting varying visibility, "Moist advection ahead of an incoming low pressure system should generate enough bkn/ovc mid-level cloud decks through the overnight hours to maintain VFR and keep any fog development localized," with chances of scattered showers and even thunderstorms from late Friday into Saturday. As high pressure moves in on Sunday, flying conditions look to improve significantly with "high confidence (greater than 90% probability) in VFR by 00z Sunday." According to the National Weather Service forecast.
The immediate days ahead may require Pittsburghers to keep their umbrellas on standby and perhaps a warm coat for the cool interlude, but with the prospect of sunny skies and warmer weather just around the corner, the weekend's soggy start may soon be forgotten.
