As the weekend rolls in, Pittsburgh is setting itself up for a sweep of warm, dry conditions that seem determined to stick around for the foreseeable future. An area forecast discussion released by the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA, at the ungodly hour of 3:36 AM EDT, indicates that high pressure will be the defining character of today's weather narrative. Confidence remains high that quiet and dry conditions will continue today under high pressure, reads a statement on their website. It appears, with temperatures rising 5 degrees above average, it’s not just the summer love that's heating up but the city itself.
Though the early morning might flirt with river valley fog, this ephemeral guest will quickly be burned away by the rising sun. The weather service predicts that with diurnal heating, any lingering fog will dissolve after sunrise, assuring clear skies post-dawn. Of course, overnight cooling might bring back the fog to isolated spots between 4 am and 6 am, so early birds, take note and perhaps enjoy that mysterious morning mist while it lasts.
As for the near term, if you're looking for drama, you'll have to find it elsewhere because the weather scene is staying monotonous. Tonight and leading into Saturday, the forecast predicts very little change in our synoptic pattern, with an advancing trough across northeast Canada that seems to have little interest in disrupting the peace. Saturday might tease with increasing clouds in the evening, but with the passing of a weak shortwave trough, it’s no more than a minor plot twist.
Moving into the long term, spanning Sunday through Thursday, anyone banking on rain will be sorely disappointed. There's less than a 15% chance that any measurable precipitation will grace the city, so those umbrellas might as well gather dust a bit longer. Warm and dry conditions continue through mid-week, reports the National Weather Service, with certain areas, particularly those west of Pittsburgh, looking at the mercury possibly hitting record highs come Monday, toying precariously with previous records. It seems nature is in no rush to change this storyline, with temperatures soaring and steadiness in the script.
For those flying the skies, it’s the same news with a different altitude—high pressure dominates with VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions and little to worry about, save for some likely innocuous river valley fog in the early mornings. The National Weather Service assures VFR is expected to continue through Tuesday under high pressure, so for pilots, it's smooth flying ahead.
