Pittsburgh is on a weather rollercoaster, with light precipitation wrapping up this morning and a dry spell set for tonight and Thursday. But don't put those umbrellas away just yet—the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh predicts another bout of rain come Friday. According to the NWS' Area Forecast Discussion, the region is in for an odd mix of above-average temperatures before a cold front nudges us back to normal.
In the immediate term, the NWS notes, lingering light precipitation through the morning; dry this afternoon and tonight. The gusty winds that have been sweeping across Pittsburgh should die down as the front clears. Temperatures, which are playing a high-stakes game by being 5 to 10 degrees above the average, are expected to hover before dropping to more typical January feels on Sunday.
For those who like it unseasonably warm, Thursday's forecast is right up your alley with highs potentially hitting the 60-degree mark south of I-70. 850mb temps rise about 10 degrees C from midday Wednesday into midday Thursday, states the National Weather Service report. As seems to be the trend, these temperatures are indeed a tick upward from what Pittsburghers are used to for this time of year.
Looking to the weekend and beyond, it appears mild and moist with a fair chance of showers into Saturday. A seasonable calm is on the way with a frontal system slated to bring that sweet, cool respite. Despite the changes, the forecast indicates impacts might be minimal, save for increased wind gusts—something to keep an eye on. Probabilities for gusts over 30 mph fall between 60-70% in the lowlands, the forecast warns.
For aviators or those taking to the skies, expect mixed-to-low visibility into tomorrow, with some nuisance-level fog to consider early Thursday. The NWS cautions, some erosion from the south is possible after 00Z as low-level warm advection commences, arriving first at ZZV and MGW. And, if you're flying out this weekend, anticipate disruptions courtesy of elevated rain chances Friday into Saturday, with snow possibilities popping up Sunday post-frontal passage.
No watches, warnings, or advisories are currently in place for PA, OH, or WV—so take this moment of meteorological reprieve as you will, Pittsburgh.
