Pittsburgh residents may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but the weather has other ideas, according to the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA, which expects dry conditions and above-average temperatures for Christmas Eve. However, for those in and around the Steel City, the reprieve from precipitation will be short-lived, with rain predicted to move in overnight and into Christmas morning, a wet blanket on any lingering holiday snow hopes, especially south of Pittsburgh.
Weather watchers in the higher elevations need to watch out, wind gusts could whip up to 20 knots on the ridges. Meanwhile, across the lowlands, less blustery conditions persist — as the National Weather Service's morning forecast suggests clouds and cooler temps are on tap, flirting with normal December numbers. Looking ahead to Friday, things start to mix up. A wintry mix is expected north and east of Pittsburgh, while rain will continue to dampen spirits south of the city. A complex weather pattern warrants a Winter Storm Watch for parts north of US-422 from early Friday till Saturday morning.
Those planning for Christmas Day activities should prepare for showers in the morning, though temperatures will still be unseasonably mild. Families may as well leave the sleds in the garage but keep the umbrellas handy, showers on Christmas Day morning with above-normal temperatures, says the National Weather Service. The rest of the forecast delineates between regions, with those along and north of highway US-422 bracing for potentially impactful ice, whereas those nestled within the Pittsburgh metro area might see a brief flirtation with freezing precipitation before it capitulates to plain rain.
By the weekend, Pittsburgh's weather narrative takes yet another twist, another system on Sunday, followed by the potential for lake effect snow showers moving into early next week. The next shortwave arrives on Sunday morning and through the day on Sunday, signaling a mix of rain and snow, though accumulations are expected to be light. The burst of winter-like conditions doesn't hold much promise for lasting impact. Regardless of the lower likelihood for accumulation, the ever-changing conditions smack of the region's notorious unpredictability when it comes to winter weather.
In terms of aviation forecasts, expect MVFR ceilings to scatter, making way for VFR conditions across the terminals this afternoon, but a passing low system means rain and MVFR ceilings re-enter the mix overnight into Thursday. Passing low pressure returns MVFR ceilings and rain chances overnight tonight through Thursday morning, — a touch of turbulence for holiday travelers. And don’t forget, Friday into Saturday comes bundled with the threat of a wintry mix and more significant restrictions at higher altitudes, particularly for airports FKL and DUJ.
