As of 5:40 a.m. ET Monday, May 4, the official observation at Allegheny County Airport showed a cloudy start and a cool 48°F. That gray ceiling will break up through the morning, with mixing helping to dry things out and set the stage for a mostly sunny afternoon and a springy high near 74°F. After that pleasant stretch, showers and a chance of thunderstorms try to steal the spotlight late tonight.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
As temperatures climb, southwest winds are expected to ramp up to around 8–15 mph this afternoon, and that same mixing could nudge gusts into the mid to upper 20s by evening. According to the National Weather Service, a few stronger gusts are possible, so it is a good day to secure lawn furniture, trash cans, and anything else that likes to travel in the wind.
Storms Possible Monday Night
From about 8 p.m. Monday, May 4, through roughly 2 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms as the warm, breezy pattern continues. Overnight lows should settle near 59°F with southwest winds of 10–14 mph. If storms manage to fire, they could be briefly gusty, but most neighborhoods are more likely to pick up only light rain, with new rainfall amounts staying under a tenth of an inch as long as showers remain scattered.
Tuesday Into Midweek
Warmer air stays in play on Tuesday, May 5, with highs near 77°F and continued gusty southwest winds, and stronger gusts are possible during the day. Showers and thunderstorms become more likely Tuesday night into Wednesday, May 6, when a few tenths of an inch of rain is expected in many spots and localized half-inch totals are possible. This keeps alive the active stretch that has been running since mid-April, in line with the early warning we flagged back on April 14.
Who Should Care
The Monday evening commute and parts of Tuesday could be slowed by quick downpours and gusty crosswinds, especially on bridges and in exposed hilltop areas, so drivers may want to leave a little extra space on the road. Gardeners and anyone tending sensitive plants should also keep an eye on the cooler air that follows the front. By Thursday night, May 7, temperatures dip enough that higher terrain north of the city could flirt with the freezing mark and see a risk of frost, so plan for covers or a quick trip to bring the pots inside.
