Pittsburgh residents can expect a continuation of dry weather today as high pressure sticks around before a pattern of rain and potential snow hits the region later this week, according to the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA. "Dry weather continues early this morning as high pressure transitions across the region," reports a forecast discussion released earlier today; while a cold front sweeping in will likely bring increased cloud coverage and gusty winds, specifically with gusts ranging between 40-45 mph expected in the higher terrain of West Virginia.
Looking ahead to Thursday night, a shortwave trough associated with a surface cold front will push temperatures about 10 degrees above average for this time of year, while rain chances will start to creep in over the day, and snow is anticipated to mix with rain in cold advection before tapering off after frontal passage late Thursday night, with no significant accumulation expected; this is all despite the arrival of a crossing cold front that will bring rain later today, possibly changing over to snow on Friday.
The long term forecast through next Tuesday suggests a cooler Friday with widespread rain, followed by dry conditions returning on Saturday. "Northwesterly flow on the heels of the mentioned front will keep lake enhanced snow in play Friday," notes the NWS report, although snow accumulation is not expected to be significant within the forecasted area. A brief period of calm is expected on Saturday, with minor shortwaves and potential lake effect processes dominating the start of next week.
Aviation prospects are less than ideal with anticipated restrictions late Thursday into Thursday night due to rain and an impending cold front, followed by gusty wind and snow transition on Friday; however, general VFR conditions should prevail over the coming weekend, even though a weak cold front is slated to bring increased cloud cover Saturday night and Sunday. "MVFR deck traversing area through 14Z NE of PIT," predicts the National Weather Service, with southwest wind gusts bumping up between 15-25kts during daylight hours and a weakening cold front potentially bringing MVFR cigs later today north of a ZZV-LBE line, but VFR is expected to return to all ports tonight as high pressure briefly builds in.
No watches, warnings, or advisories are currently in place for Pennsylvania, Ohio, or West Virginia, affirms the NWS advisory, maintaining a relatively normal tone for this time of year's weather fluctuations. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh locals should prepare for a mix of weather patterns as the week unfolds.
