Pittsburgh is waking up Friday to fog, with mostly dry conditions expected in the afternoon. The calm start should give way to a mostly dry afternoon, but a wetter pattern is expected to move in Saturday night and continue into next week.
Fog Lifts as Friday Warms to 78
Friday's forecast details are not specified here.
Friday afternoon may bring a few brighter breaks, especially late in the day, and the chance of rain remains low across Pittsburgh. Areas south of Interstate 70 could still see a stray shower or thunderstorm, but the city is expected to stay mainly dry.
Saturday Night Brings the Weather Shift
Saturday will begin before the pattern changes after dark, when rain showers become likely and thunderstorms become more probable overnight. The forecast gives Saturday a 70% chance of precipitation.
Sunday's forecast is outlined below.
A Past Pitcairn Flood Shows Why Repeated Rain Matters
The weekend forecast is not comparable in size to every past Pittsburgh-area flood. In a separate event on July 1, 1997, the National Weather Service Pittsburgh documented excessive rainfall in eastern Allegheny County from about 6:15 to 8 p.m. and rapid flooding in a relatively small, urbanized basin. The agency estimated a storm-total maximum of 4.5 inches over the Pitcairn basin.
That 1997 rainfall estimate provides historical context rather than a prediction of this weekend's outcome. The comparison does show why the effects of repeated storms can vary by location: a localized burst in a small basin can produce rapid flooding even when conditions elsewhere differ.
Pittsburgh Water advises residents to practice flood safety because flash floods can occur with little to no warning. Its guidance says, “Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters,” and urges people to turn around rather than cross a flooded road.
Unsettled Weather Continues Into Next Week
Showers remain possible Monday, followed by another round of likely showers and thunderstorms Monday night and Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to trend cooler, with highs near 71 degrees Monday, 68 Tuesday and 67 Wednesday.
The effects of storms can vary by location, although no flood watches or other weather advisories are currently posted for Pennsylvania. Anyone with weekend outdoor plans should monitor updated forecasts, particularly from Saturday night through Sunday.
