Pittsburgh residents should brace themselves for a flurry of winter weather as the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh forecasts dry conditions today but warns of impactful snow accumulations and a weather pattern throughout the week. According to the latest advisory, the city will briefly enjoy dry and cold conditions under high pressure before the next system brings widespread precipitation late tonight through Tuesday morning, with snowfall affecting much of the region.
Early snow showers near and north of Pittsburgh are expected to taper off by sunrise, aiding in making way for a chilly day with light winds and temperatures around 10 degrees below normal. However, conditions are set to quickly turn as the National Weather Service forecasts mostly snow north of the I-70 corridor and some potential icing in the ridges further south. Commuters are advised to take extra caution since the peak impact is likely to coincide directly with Tuesday morning's commute.
Regions north of the I-70 could see snow accumulations ranging from 3 to 5 inches, with a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 1 PM EST Tuesday. The National Weather Service anticipates steady precipitation to cease from west to east during late morning and early afternoon as the surface low rapidly advances into the Atlantic, offering respite for the area. A period of dry and cold weather is forecasted for Tuesday night and into Wednesday, as surface ridging brings some much-needed sunshine to areas near and south of Pittsburgh.
Nonetheless, Pittsburgh's weather outlook remains tumultuous with an active pattern ensuring precipitation chances for Wednesday night into Thursday, as well as Friday leading into the weekend. The NWS warns of below-normal temperatures persisting throughout the period, with daytime highs expected to hover in the low to mid 30s until slight moderation by the upcoming weekend. The aviation sector, too, will face challenges with widespread snow anticipated late Monday into Tuesday, causing potential disruptions during the critical 06-12z Tuesday timeframe, where hourly snowfall rates could dramatically reach 0.5 to 1 inches per hour.
As the region battens down, the NWS urges vigilance, with a complete Winter Weather Advisory including parts of Ohio and West Virginia as well. Conditions are likely to affect several areas with varied intensity, but their impact seems all but certain to leave a mark on the city's early December days.
