As Pittsburgh braces for a wet Thursday, the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA has released an area forecast discussing the day's conditions and looking ahead to the weekend’s weather outlook. According to the forecast from the NWS, Pittsburgh residents can expect widespread precipitation chances today, diminishing during the late afternoon and evening.
The forecast also indicates that dense fog early this morning will diminish by mid-morning, and at this time, current coverage does not warrant any advisories. However, the National Weather Service has flagged a Marginal risk of flooding mainly south and east of Pittsburgh, an area where running north up to I-80, heavier showers may be experienced later throughout the day. Pittsburghers should be aware that the highest rainfall rates are likely to occur between mid-morning and mid-afternoon as a surface low crosses the area.
Moving into the evening, the NWS tells us to expect shower chances to taper off from west to east this evening, east of the ridges by around midnight. Residents looking forward to Friday can breathe a sigh of relief, as Friday will be largely dry as shortwave ridging transitions over the region, which is expected to result in temperatures bouncing back up close to normal. After a soggy day, drier conditions offer a welcome break to the locals.
For those planning their weekend activities, the long-term forecast hints at mostly dry weather and seasonable temperatures into next week. While there is a slight chance for light showers across the West Virginia ridges and the Laurel Highlands over the weekend, the city of Pittsburgh might only see a 20% chance of measurable rain. A broad ridge across the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley is projected to maintain this calm atmosphere as we move into the new week.
Pilots and travelers should note the impact on air travel as the NWS aviation outlook advises surface low pressure will track northeast across the Upper Ohio Valley region today, with another round of showers and continued IFR conditions. Improvement to MVFR ceilings is anticipated later in the afternoon, but navigators are warned of the possibility of IFR fog and stratus developing tonight due to lingering moisture levels. Clearer skies are on the horizon, however, as VFR returns under building high pressure moving into Friday.
In summary, it looks like the Steel City is in for a soggy morning followed by gradual clearing, with the promise of a drier, sunnier weekend ahead. With no advisories currently in place, today's conditions don't pose significant disruption beyond the expected, but those south and east of Pittsburgh should remain vigilant to the flooding risk and plan their day accordingly.
