The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has rolled out its latest forecast, and Pittsburghers can look forward to some dry and less humid conditions—at least for today. In a recent report, the NWS indicated that a high-pressure system parked over the eastern Great Lakes and Upper Ohio Valley will keep the weather pleasantly seasonable and calm with mostly sunny skies and only a few cirrus clouds expected to float by. The forecast also mentioned patchy dense fog earlier this morning, but that's expected to dissipate posthaste after sunrise.
Looking ahead, the same stretch of favorable weather is expected to continue through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, with dry conditions prevailing as high pressure shifts eastward. But don't get too comfortable, locals can expect building heat and humidity to creep back in with the surface flow pivoting to the south by Wednesday. Highs may approach the 90s, and, true to summer form, humidity levels are set to inch upward. Heat indices are expected to range from 90 to 95 across much of the area south of I-80, and outside of the ridges, the NWS predicted.
Thursday is poised to claim the prize for the hottest day of the week, thanks to soaring 500mb heights and 850mb temperatures that could reach a scorching 20-21 degrees Celsius. This kind of heat doesn't come alone—it'll be hauling in humidity that might push the heat index between 95 and 100 degrees for many, nudging dangerously close to the threshold of a heat advisory. Yet a silver lining—by Thursday night, clouds are expected to gather as a precursor to the return of rain chances, so that might give some reprieve.
As we nudge into the weekend, things may take a turn with shower and thunderstorm chances highlighted for Friday through Sunday. They've also thrown in a caveat about potential flooding and strong storms on the horizon for Friday, but as these are early days, they're opting to monitor the trends before sounding any alarms. The predicted moisture in the air is consistent with numbers ranging from 1.8 to 1.9 inches and ML CAPE values of 1500-2000 J/kg, suggesting that the storms could become rowdy.
Aviators take heed: The NWS maintains high confidence in VFR conditions for those in flight until the weekend. The early week's clear skies are the green light you've been waiting for—so make the most of it before the impending front brings increased chances of adverse weather conditions and potential visibility restrictions closer to Friday.
It's a classic summer week in Pittsburgh: starting with clear skies before succumbing to the heat, then expecting thunderous cap-offs to the week's heatwave. As the workweek winds down, you might want to keep an eye on the sky—or at least stay updated with the National Weather Service—before making any concrete outdoor plans.
