If you’re in Pittsburgh this weekend, don't expect a winter wonderland, but do brace for the cold. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh forecasts a continuation of below-normal temperatures and light snow chances, most notably to the south of I-70, with the rest of the area staying predominantly dry today. Considering a weak system looming over the Southeast U.S., the city might see light flurries, whereas the West Virginia ridges could get a dusting of up to an inch of snow, so it's not quite the scenario for breaking out the snow boots and sleds, according to the NWS.
Traveling through Pittsburgh this weekend? Prep for a chill, but major disruptions seem unlikely according to the latest weather advisories, despite additional waves of light wintry precipitation expected across the region, the National Weather Service advises little to no snow accumulation in most spots, while north of Interstate 80 and along the ridges could see slightly more with a 40-60% chance of exceeding an inch. As the evening draws in, any snow will make an exit stage left with skies clearing up, and although the cloud cover plus a south-southwest air flow will insulate us somewhat, temperatures will hover in the 20s, spiking up from the upper teens felt in pockets of northwest Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Saturday's forecast brings another series of weak mid-level shortwaves that might bring light snow showers, mainly north of Pittsburgh, with minimal accumulations expected. Yet another system on Sunday could introduce a wintry mix over the entire area, starting as snow and morphing into a rain/snow cocktail south of I-80 by the afternoon. The National Weather Service suggests it will generally be light with probabilities of significant snowfall low overall, save for the familiar higher terrain where chances perk up slightly.
By Monday, the cold endures as high pressure asserts itself, bringing calm. Early next week points to a dry and chilly theme. However, with midweek forecasts, things get murky – there's a potential for another round of winter weather, contingent on the pathway of a developing trough across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. We're hearing whispers of a slight chance of significant weather, but for now, that's all they are – whispers. The NWS keeps an eye on developments, but models are currently favoring less impactful scenarios.
Aviation-wise, VFR conditions reign tonight, but as Friday rolls in, pilots could grapple with MVFR ceiling restrictions starting from the early morning across the southern parts of the region. Snow is expected to stay out of the picture for the most part, especially for locations such as Morgantown. "VFR prevails across the region at this time," but daytime flying could be dogged by marginal conditions, especially in places on the brink, like Pittsburgh and other nearby hubs. Come nightfall, those ceilings are anticipated to become more widespread, affecting even areas previously on the cusp.
No watches, warnings, or advisories are in place for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia at this time, so locals should find the weekend to be more shiver-inducing than travel-prohibitive – a momentary freeze-frame in a season that thus far has been shy to show its full wintry hand.
