Pittsburgh is waking up under mostly cloudy skies and sticky air Saturday, with temperatures near 68 degrees before a warm-up toward 86. Showers and thunderstorms are likely early, and the unsettled weather could return later Saturday after a brief afternoon lull.
Heavy Rain Threat Saturday
The first round of showers and storms is expected before 7 a.m., with additional chances continuing through the afternoon. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh says the main concern is heavy rain, while a later round could bring lightning and gusty winds.
Some locations could see intense downpours, particularly near and east of Pittsburgh, where isolated rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches over six hours are possible. No watches, warnings or advisories are currently posted, but drivers should be ready for sudden drops in visibility, ponding water and slick roads.
Sunday Offers A Needed Break
Saturday night stays mostly cloudy, with showers and thunderstorms possible between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. and a low near 68. Winds will generally stay out of the southwest at 3 to 12 mph.
Sunday looks like the cleanest outdoor window of the weekend, with mostly sunny skies, a high near 87 and light west winds. The break will be brief, however, as shower and thunderstorm chances climb Monday again and remain elevated through at least Thursday.
Storm Chances Return Next Week
Monday could bring another hot, stormy day, with a high near 89 and thunderstorms becoming more likely later in the day and overnight. Forecasters are watching Monday in particular for a higher risk of heavy rain and severe weather, while Tuesday and Wednesday also carry an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms…