Get ready to trade the sunscreen for an umbrella because thunderstorms are rolling back into Pittsburgh today. According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, a cold front that's creeping and stalling over the region is expected to bring showers and potential thunderstorms to the area, starting today and lasting through Sunday.
Forecasters have flagged the possibility of thunderstorms intensifying throughout the afternoon with some potentially gusty winds in store. It's advised to keep an eye out for showers to gather strength and move consistently along quickly—yet, should they start to train, they may just bring a localized flash flood threat. For those planning outdoor activities, high temperatures are expected to hover in the mid-80s to near 90 degrees, so stay hydrated and seek shade when possible.
As we move into the evening hours and overnight, the intensity of the showers and storms is expected to decrease, but don't get too comfortable; disturbances will continue to pop up, with a few surprises here and there. Saturday looks more or less like a rerun with the service front lifting north as a warm front, mirroring Friday's stormy conditions. The same pattern is expected to continue tomorrow, with locally heavy rain/flash flood potential, and some gusty wind possible in more organized storms, according to the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead to the workweek, from Monday through midweek, expect a mix of hot weather, interspersed with occasional showers and thunderstorms. An upper high positioned over the Plains/Mississippi Valley is expected to bring us hot conditions under the northeast brim of its high, with northwest flow aloft. But by late next week, cooler and less humid conditions are forecasted to return, offering some respite from the sweaty grasp of midsummer.
In terms of aviation, pilots need to be aware that non-severe elevated convection moving across western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia early this morning should continue to wane as it encounters a less charged atmosphere. VFR conditions are likely to persist outside of shower and storm activity through the evening; however, fog could develop early Saturday morning, potentially increasing visibility restrictions. The front sagging southward across Pennsylvania and Ohio will keep pilots guessing with intermittent gusts and potential stormy interludes all weekend.
The National Weather Service for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia has issued no current watches, warnings, or advisories. However, as the weather seems to delight in unpredictability, please stay tuned for updates. Travel smart and stay dry, Pittsburgh.
