As the warm presence of May embraces Pittsburgh, residents are again looking up to the skies, this time with a wary eye. The city's weather narrative unfolds with the National Weather Service out of Pittsburgh, as echoed by their colleagues in Charleston, WV, warning of showers and thunderstorms capable of stirring up localized flooding due to heavy rain both today, Wednesday, and rolling into Thursday night through Friday with a cold front on the prowl.
In the delicate hours of early morning, when night meets day, "patchy fog expected early in the morning" is described by the National Weather Service. By mid-morning, residents should anticipate a reprise of showers and thunderstorms that "Weak storm motion may result in localized flooding issues," a persistent theme from Tuesday's downpours. Lingering concerns for areas hit previously by flooding are underscored by the forecast, with these areas now saturated and more vulnerable to the whims of water.
The weather narrative for the city today paints a picture of intermittent severity. Not all days will see storms, but rounds of scattered activity are projected. The "best chance for lightning," says the National Weather Service, arises during the afternoon hours when instability in the atmosphere seeks to flex its muscles, overlaying Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia, and much of Western Pennsylvania. Looking ahead to the evening, expect thunderstorms to mellow out with the setting sun, although "patchy fog could redevelop overnight" in parts where the skies have wept during the day.
Moving into the latter part of the week, Thursday through Friday night heralds an increased vigilance for severe weather. A cold front sliding in brings the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms. The National Weather Service forewarns, "All modes of severe weather (damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes) appear possible at this time," casting a shadow of uncertainty over the tranquility of Thursday's daylight hours.
As the ballet of weather patterns continues over the weekend, Saturday remains unsettled, with a cold front exerting its influence. Relief, akin to a light at the end of the tunnel, emerges Sunday into the early new week as high pressure and drier weather take the stage, promising a respite from the recent meteorological turmoil.
For the aviators among us, the weather script reads mostly VFR overnight, though pockets of MVFR/IFR cigs play their parts at FKL and DUJ due to moisture-laden SE flow. "Showers and thunderstorms should diminish Wednesday evening," the National Weather Service projects, offering a clearer sky for flights. However, with showers and potentially severe thunderstorms on the weekend's schedule, aviators should check twice and again.
