Pittsburgh woke up Thursday to a gray, soggy start: light rain, patchy fog, and temperatures hovering in the low 50s, with visibility knocked down in the river valleys. The good news is that showers should ease from north to south through the morning, and highs are expected to reach near 676F this afternoon.
Thursday Commute
A steady round of rain is likely before about 9 a.m., with roughly an 80 percent chance of precipitation and new totals expected to stay under a tenth of an inch. Roads will be wet and some low-lying spots may hang onto mist for a while, so give yourself a little extra time on the way in. Northeast winds will stay on the tame side, around 6 to 10 mph through the day.
Weekend Outlook And Flood Risk
After a brief break, rain chances ramp back up on Friday and build into Saturday as a warm front lifts north. Periods of steady rain and a few thunderstorms are expected Friday night into Saturday. According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, there is now a 60 60 70 80 percent chance of at least one inch of rain from Friday through early Sunday and a 30 50 percent chance of 2 inches in heavier scenarios. That could be enough to trigger localized flooding and push creek and river levels higher. Ensemble river forecasts also point to elevated river levels likely beginning over the weekend and carrying into next week, so low-lying and flood-prone spots will need extra attention.
Winds And Local Impacts
Forecasters are also watching for downsloping southeast winds that develop Friday and continue into Saturday. Those could deliver persistent gusts around 30 35 knots, or roughly 35 40 mph, on the lee side of the Laurel Highlands before easing Saturday night. Friday night looks like the prime window for the heaviest rainfall rates, with individual overnight totals of a quarter to a half-inch possible in many neighborhoods. If heavier bands repeatedly pass over the same locations, quick urban and small-stream flooding becomes the main concern close to home.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor Memorial Day plans, now is the time to line up a backup and keep a close eye on forecasts over the next 48 hours. Avoid driving through standing water and, if you can, move vehicles out of known low spots before the worst of the rain arrives. We covered the developing wet pattern with broader timing and tips, and we will update this space if watches or warnings are issued. Check local emergency channels and the National Weather Service for the latest on watches, river levels, and any flood statements.
