For Pittsburghers hoping for a respite from the heat, the wait continues as the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh reports a stretch of dry weather with above-normal temperatures forecasted for the coming week. According to a National Weather Service announcement, high pressure is the prevailing influence on regional weather patterns, spelling out clear skies but no immediate promises of rainfall.
In the near-term outlook, the high pressure system to the north juxtaposes a low pressure area over the Carolinas, keeping the local clime dry as a bone with light northeast winds while high clouds occasionally drift in—this seesaw between high and low pressure is making sure the humidity stays locked out and we get none of the wet stuff, not that we're complaining about the lack of Pittsburgh's notorious humidity. With high temperatures expected in the low 80s, it's a slight dip but still hotter than the norm for this time of year. Those living at higher elevations might see some light rain showers, perhaps teasing those in the lowlands with their insubstantial promise of moisture.
Moving into Wednesday, Pittsburgh remains untouched by significant precipitation, although regions west of the PA/WV ridges could experience waves of high cloud coverage, as ridging remains in control over the Upper Ohio Valley, the National Weather Service reports. Daytime highs will hover above average with nighttime lows dipping closer to what's typical, thanks largely in part to the arid air allowing temperatures to fall off a bit when the sun goes down.
Looking towards the weekend, the story doesn't change much—high temperatures will continue to climb, touching roughly 10 degrees above normal for the close of the workweek; however, overnight lows should balance out, thanks to the knack dry air has for cooling off after dark. Uncertainty clouds the forecast beyond Saturday, as models contend with an East Coast ridge's response to an inbound trough, hinting at possible light rain and cooler temperatures for the following week, but as of now, the National Weather Service cautions us not to hold our breath.
For those taking to the skies, aviation forecasts are clear, as high confidence in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions persists through the period. Pilots should expect light, variable winds, mostly leaning easterly. While river valley fog isn't out of the question in pre-dawn hours, terminal impacts are expected to be minimal at worst.
No advisories, watches, or warnings are in place for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia, with the weather pattern held firmly in place by surface high pressure near New England. Pittsburgh may be settling in for an Indian summer, enjoying a dry spell and continued warmth as autumn approaches on the calendar if not quite yet in the air.
