Pittsburghers are in for quite the mixture of winter weather this week, as recent updates from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh warn of a dry couple of days followed by rain, and then a likely shift to snowfall. According to a forecast discussion published by the National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA, Monday and Tuesday are expected to remain dry due to a weak low-level ridging over the area. Come Tuesday night into Wednesday, though, rain is set to blanket the region as a deepening trough approaches. Average ensemble-based rainfall amounts are currently expected to be around 1/4 of an inch, states the service's forecast.
The transforming weather pattern won't stop there. As the cold front moves in on Wednesday, the rain is predicted to start changing to snow by the evening, especially north of I-80. This development is pinned to both a surface cold front that will begin to cross the area late Wednesday afternoon and an upper low predicted to drift across Ohio into Pennsylvania on Wednesday night. A deeper understanding of this complex system will require Pittsburgh residents to closely monitor the forecast updates, as the National Weather Service emphasizes there's a reasonably good shot for several inches of snow across the Laurel Highlands and higher terrain of northern WV, along with a 50-60 percent chance for at least one inch of snow in lower elevations.
Looking further ahead, this bout of snow is likely just an opening act. Model ensembles indicate a longwave trough will persist across the eastern CONUS at least through the weekend/early next week, informs the forecast, signaling a continuation of colder temperatures along with periodic chances for more snow as additional shortwave troughs rotate through the area. The persistent conditions suggest Pittsburghers should prepare to wrap up warmly and keep their snow boots handy into the following week.
For those wondering about air travel, the aviation outlook remains fairly optimistic for now. VFR conditions should prevail on Monday, with only some breezy southwest winds during the late morning and afternoon posing minor concerns. However, the next round of restrictions and precipitation is on deck to potentially disrupt flights starting Tuesday night into Wednesday. Details from the National Weather Service indicate that restrictions and precip chances return Tuesday night and Wednesday as the next low-pressure system impacts the region. Air travelers should be prepared to plan differently, as weather uncertainties could lead to schedule changes and delays during this midweek period.
