The National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA has forecasted a week of unseasonably cool temperatures for the region, with showers primarily affecting areas north of Pittsburgh. According to their Area Forecast Discussion, today marks the beginning of this cool spell, which is predicted to linger through the end of the work week.
Residents can expect "a few lake effect showers north of Pittsburgh," with the day's highs hovering 5-8 degrees below the norm. The cold front that passed on Sunday night is ushering in this chillier weather, including low to mid 50s dew points and daytime temperatures just reaching the low to mid 70s. While showers will be scattered and light with a very low chance of lightning, they might stray as far south as the Pittsburgh metro area.
Nighttime lows are also set to dive, likely dropping into the low 50s. The trapped moisture beneath an inversion, particularly north and east of Pittsburgh, is anticipated to prevent temperatures from plummeting too far by limiting radiative cooling. Officials also predict that cool air lingering over the warmer rivers will develop river valley fog.
Looking ahead to Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasts "seasonably cool temperatures under upper troughing" with the potential for rain showers, especially in areas under northwest flow. A shortwave expected to move through on Tuesday may push showers further south and east than anticipated. The current xenoclimate will ensure that high temperatures sit approximately 5-10 degrees below average, with Tuesday night into Wednesday morning possibly seeing temps dip below the 50-degree mark outside urban centers and river-adjacent areas.
As for the latter half of the week, mild temperature increases are on the horizon, although there's a chance for showers, primarily north of I-70, come Thursday. However, the extended forecast hints at mostly dry conditions into the weekend. The stubborn eastern CONUS trough is projected to be the dominant weather influence. Yet, its strength and the timing of its eastward shift will ultimately dictate the pace at which temperatures climb back to near-seasonal levels and precipitation chances dwindle.
