Pittsburgh woke up in a cloud Friday morning, and not the digital kind. Low clouds and fog rolled in with readings around 69°F and very high humidity, cutting visibility in spots near the river valleys. Most of that fog is expected to burn off by midmorning, leaving behind a muggy setup and a slight chance of spotty showers into late morning before a warmer, breezy afternoon climbs into the mid-80s.
This morning's observation near Pittsburgh showed fog and temperatures near 69°F, and forecasters still expect afternoon highs around 84°F with west winds of 8 to 13 mph and gusts up to 23 mph. There is a slight chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a small window for scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Most neighborhoods should stay dry and any rainfall totals should be light. The National Weather Service pegs the chance of precipitation at roughly 20% and notes that any storms that do pop up should be brief.
Afternoon Storm Window
There is a narrow mid-day window, roughly 1 to 6 p.m., when a few storms could briefly become strong, mainly southeast of Pittsburgh. If storms manage to organize, they could kick out damaging wind gusts and small hail up to about a quarter-inch, although large-scale severe weather is not expected across the city itself. Any activity should weaken quickly as drier air slides in behind the front.
Commute And Events
Drivers should plan for brief slowdowns during any wet bursts this afternoon, since downpours can reduce visibility and make roads slick in a hurry. If you are heading to the Pirates game at PNC Park (115 Federal Street) tonight, conditions are expected to improve by first pitch at 6:40 p.m., but building in a little extra time is still smart in case late-day showers linger. Keep an umbrella handy and secure loose outdoor items. The National Weather Service says storms should diminish between about 6 and 8 p.m.
Weekend Outlook
High pressure should settle in for a quieter Saturday, with plenty of sun and highs in the mid-80s. Sunday is a different story, with another round of showers and thunderstorms likely, more widespread rain, and heavier downpours possible. Forecasters advise keeping an eye on the evolving forecast for Sunday if you have outdoor plans. For background on the late-week pattern, see our earlier coverage on the midweek storm lineup.
Bottom line: expect fog and a muggy start, a breezy afternoon with a small chance of brief, gusty storms, then clearing overnight into a mostly sunny Saturday. If you will be out during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. window, carrying an umbrella is not a bad idea, and it is worth watching official updates if a storm heads your way.
