It's shaping up to be an ordinary day weather-wise in Pittsburgh, with the National Weather Service predicting close-to-average temperatures and a dry spell under the firm grip of a high-pressure system, according to their Area Forecast Discussion. As Pittsburghers enjoy the calm before the potential storm, the forecast advises that the peace will only last so long -- a frontal system is expected to gust in over the weekend, tossing a mix of precipitation and cooler weather into the mix for the coming week.
The morning fog was a no-show in most places, though it whispered threats at river valley dwellers, pockets of clouds managed to avoid a complete clearing around dawn, stifling the fog's attempts to blanket the city, the Weather Service says the surface high pressure lingering across the Great Lakes keeps a north to northeast air flow intact, which along with a dry boundary layer, keeps dew points low enough to make for a rather comfortable Friday with thermometers peeking at the low to mid 80s.
Pittsburgh's brief flirtation with warmer temperatures climbs to a brief crescendo with forecasts hitting the mid-upper 80s notes by Saturday, that warmth is carried on a breeze shifting from a demure east-northeast to a more assertive 5-10 mph swing out of the southwest on Saturday afternoon, dry weather and temperatures in the mid-80s on Friday, professes the National Weather Service with an eye on the weekend. Yet, it's a short-lived revelry; the wind's tune will switch once the cold front dances through Saturday evening, trailing rain across western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. The Weather Service paints a 40% chance of showers over eastern Ohio as well.
Looking ahead, the forecast spells it clear: Pittsburgh is in for a cooler slice of summer next week, highs lounging in the 70s, lows taking a dip into the cozy 50s, all thanks to an expected troughing over the eastern United States, with the warm lake waters [68F or warmer] and cooler 850mb temperatures [39-45F], there is a chance of isolated showers during the afternoon mainly north of I-80, the service elaborates, pointing to the conflicting whims of nature as they convene over the Great Lakes. Whatever minor disruptions may loom, the early half of next week is pegged to be gentle, keeping Pittsburgh in a cool embrace, uncharacteristically mild for the dog days of August.
