Pittsburgh rolled out of bed Monday to a thick blanket of river-valley fog and temperatures in the low 40s, with visibility chopped down to roughly a quarter-mile. The fog should thin by mid-morning, but a raw northwest wind will keep things feeling chilly, with highs only in the mid 40s. There is also a slight chance of spotty rain from late morning into mid-afternoon, so commuters should be ready for damp roads and a blustery ride home.
What To Expect Today
Skies will stay mostly cloudy with a high near 46°F and a slight chance of rain showers between about 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Most places are expected to pick up less than a tenth of an inch of rain. Northwest winds are forecast around 10 to 16 mph with gusts up to about 25 to 26 mph, which will make it feel colder than the thermometer suggests, according to the National Weather Service.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
The breeze will crank up through the afternoon, and gusts could be strong enough to toss around lightweight outdoor furniture and umbrellas. Bridges, ramps, and exposed riverfront streets may be the slow spots for the commute, especially where pockets of fog are slow to clear. The gusts are not expected to be damaging, but they will make the day feel even breezier and colder.
Late-Week Storm Risk
Tuesday and Wednesday look quieter and drier before a more active stretch moves in late in the week. Forecasters are watching a return to southwest flow ahead of a cold front from Thursday into early Friday that could spark thunderstorms. The outlook notes that machine learning continues to suggest thunderstorm impacts Thursday into early Friday, with the chance for any thunderstorm in the region currently around 15 to 30 percent. A few of those storms could be on the stronger side and produce localized heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service. If you have outdoor plans Thursday night into Friday morning, keep a backup indoor option and keep an eye on forecast updates.
Plan For The Week
Dress in layers today and keep a light jacket handy, since the raw northwest wind can cut through thin clothing. For some context on how recent fog and storm setups have played out, check out our earlier coverage of soup-thick fog and a storm threat. We will track forecast updates and post changes if the late-week severe threat ramps up.
