Pittsburgh is starting Wednesday under cloudy skies near 70 degrees, but the mild morning is about to turn wet. Showers and thunderstorms are expected through the day, with rain chances near 90% and a high around 78.
Storms Roll Through Wednesday
A few showers may arrive around 7 a.m., with more widespread showers and thunderstorms developing afterward. A brief downpour or thunderstorm could make the morning and afternoon commute messy.
According to the National Weather Service, a marginal risk for severe storms, level 1 of 5, covers the I-70 corridor and areas south, where isolated damaging wind gusts are the main concern. Storms should gradually shift south and fade Wednesday night, though a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms remains before 10 p.m.; skies stay mostly cloudy with a low near 54.
Heavy Rain And Pittsburgh’s Sewer System
Heavy rain can also affect Pittsburgh’s waterways: Pittsburgh Water estimates that about 75 percent of the city is served by combined sewer pipes carrying both sewage and stormwater. If rain exceeds their capacity, the system can release the mixture into rivers at sewer outfalls.
River Use After Heavy Rain
Pittsburgh Water says ALCOSAN’s Sewer Overflow Advisory Key and CSO Flag Program caution recreational users to limit contact with river water during combined sewer overflow events, including when boating, fishing or water skiing.
Thursday Offers A Brief Pause
Thursday starts partly sunny and warmer, with a high near 72. A 40% chance of rain showers returns between 1 and 4 p.m., then the bigger rainmaker arrives Thursday night as showers and thunderstorms become likely after 8 p.m.; gusts could reach 28 mph.
Friday Brings Wind And A Sharp Cooldown
Friday Brings Wind And A Sharp Cooldown Friday brings showers and breezy conditions, with a high near 71. Temperatures drop quickly after the front, reaching around 40 Friday night as rain showers linger before 2 a.m.
Sunny Weekend, Frosty Saturday Night
Saturday turns mostly sunny but much cooler, with a high near 53 and northwest winds 13 to 16 mph. Saturday night could be the coldest stretch, with clearing skies and a low near 35, cold enough for frost in colder spots, before Sunday rebounds to sunny skies and a high around 63.
The outlook then settles down: Monday should be mostly sunny near 66, with partly sunny skies and highs around 68 Tuesday. No watches, warnings or advisories are currently posted for Pennsylvania, Ohio or West Virginia in the Pittsburgh forecast area, as reported by the National Weather Service.
