Pittsburgh is waking up to a mild, mostly cloudy Friday, but the city's warm start will not last. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to sweep through later today before temperatures plunge into a chilly weekend.
Storms Arrive By Late Morning
Temperatures could reach about 74 degrees Friday, with showers and thunderstorms becoming more likely from late morning through the afternoon. The National Weather Service Pittsburgh says western Pennsylvania faces a level 1-of-5 marginal risk for damaging wind gusts, especially in stronger storms.
Winds will be west at 14 to 21 mph, with stronger gusts possible. Rainfall should generally stay between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, while the front is expected to clear the area by roughly 4 or 5 p.m.
Friday's update sharpens the immediate threat compared with Hoodline's Thursday forecast, adding a clearer signal for gusty storms and a fast afternoon temperature drop. Anyone driving, walking or working outside should be ready for a brief downpour, lightning and sudden wind shifts.
Cold Weekend Brings Frost Risk
Showers may linger Friday night before ending around 2 a.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a low near 42 degrees. Saturday will be mostly sunny but much colder, topping out near 52 degrees with north winds between 10 and 15 mph.
Saturday night could bring the first widespread frost threat of the stretch, with temperatures falling to around 35 degrees under clear skies. Frost is possible again early Sunday, though sunshine should help temperatures rebound to about 60 degrees by afternoon.
Sunny And Warmer Next Week
The forecast turns noticeably calmer Sunday through Thursday, with dry, mostly sunny conditions and lighter winds. Highs should reach the upper 50s Sunday and the low 60s Monday, then the mid-60s Tuesday and Wednesday and the upper 60s Thursday.
For Pittsburgh residents with outdoor plans, Friday afternoon is the weather window to treat cautiously, while the weekend calls for jackets and protection for frost-sensitive plants. The payoff arrives next week, when the weather settles into a long run of crisp mornings and sunny afternoons.
