Pittsburgh residents, brace yourselves for a chilly mix of rain and snow as a deepening upper trough makes its way across the Midwest. According to the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA, we're looking at a couple of calm but foggy mornings transforming into a wild, weather-filled Sunday and Monday. Today's synopsis promises dry conditions until tonight when the rain returns, setting the stage for snow showers and a significant drop in temperatures early next week.
This morning, if you're trekking across southeast OH into northern WV and western PA, you might encounter some pretty thick fog. The National Weather Service has slapped a Dense Fog Advisory on these areas, in effect until 9 AM EST this morning. Once the fog lifts, look forward to clear skies for the rest of the afternoon, although temperatures won't be climbing quite as high as they were on Friday, but still, they'll be nudging a couple of points above the norm.
As for tonight going into Sunday, it's all change on the weather front. Rain chances will substantially ramp up across much of the area Sunday morning, says the weather service. A front trailing across our neck of the woods will turn those steady rains into intermittent snow showers come Sunday night, albeit with minimal accumulation expected by Monday's first light, thanks, in part, to the warmer ground temperatures.
The long-term outlook isn't looking much brighter, with meteorologists forecasting much colder temperatures with snow showers Monday into Tuesday. Accumulation appears likely, particularly north of I-80 and in the ridges. Mid-week might offer a slight reprieve, but the temperatures are set to remain 15 to 20 degrees below average through at least Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday also threaten a mixed bag of occasional rain and snow, mainly to the north of Pittsburgh, so keep those winter jackets handy.
For the aviators among us, aviation conditions vary from LIFR in Ohio to MVFR or VFR further east towards Pittsburgh, though rain and snow look set to bring periodic restrictions from Sunday night through Tuesday. Subsequent weather systems mid-week could see that trend of interruptions continue. Travellers should stay alert to changing conditions.
Finally, for all the sight-challenged morning commuters, safety first in the presence of the fog, and for those wading through the upcoming wintry mix, keep an eye on the skies and plan accordingly. Let's hope your heaters are prepped and ready to go for what's shaping up to be a classic Pittsburgh winter’s tale.
