Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA
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749 FXUS61 KPBZ 101751 AFDPBZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 151 PM EDT Thu Sep 10 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Update to Key Messages and Aviation Discussion. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) An active weather pattern looks to continue into next week and will warrant monitoring for potential local impacts. && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... An upper ridge remains entrenched over the southern and southeastern CONUS this weekend, resulting in a zonal mean synoptic flow across the Great Lakes and upper Ohio Valley regions through at least early next week. This will support continued active weather for the local area as periodic shortwave activity developing upstream tracks eastward across the region. Machine-learning convective hazard guidance continues to indicate some potential for periods of heavy rain and/or severe weather as long as this pattern remains in place, which will need to be monitored. Global ensembles then favor a pattern shift late next week with broad upper troughing setting up over eastern Canada (and upper ridging out west). If that ends up verifying, it could point towards a period of drier weather on the horizon under northwest flow. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Mixing has mostly eroded the low cig restrictions save a few lingering high-end MVFR cigs that are expected to make it back to VFR in the next hour or two and remain that way through the afternoon. 5-10 knot west-southwest flow will prevail. Another mid-level wave will approach late this afternoon and reinvigorate showers and storms after 20z primarily for PIT and south. Maintained the PROB30s for PIT and surrounding area terminals given uncertainty regarding the disorganized spatial coverage of thunderstorms. Opted for a TEMPO group including TSRA mention in better proximity to fumes of instability. Any storm that passes directly over a terminal could produce brief MVFR to IFR restrictions. A tricky forecast then expected overnight tonight as additional restrictions are possible with residual low-level moisture and light wind, though a couple flies in the ointment could pose challenges. One is an approaching cold front that will make its way through from north to south and bring with it lower dew points and erode the low-level moisture. Confidence is highest that it makes it through FKL and DUJ before sunrise, but it could reach as far as PIT. Another is whether or not drizzle or light showers continue overnight as the shortwave axis passes through and a weak low-level convergence zone enhances localized lift. The NBM and GLAMP guidance are rather aggressive with areawide vis restrictions <1SM, but the HREF 10th percentile barely paints any fog at all, and the HREF handled Wednesday night the best. Think that MGW is likely first in line for biggest degradation especially with more rain expected today and higher dew points. ZZV to PIT to LBE are more likely to see fog if drizzle and/or light showers are less prevalent. FKL and DUJ should be post-frontal for the back half of the night with lower dew points and slightly cooler temperatures, so fog could be more confined to river valleys. Any restrictions will mix out Friday morning and give way to a dry day with VFR returning. Light northerly wind will prevail through the day. Outlook... Another shortwave trough returns shower chances Saturday and Sunday. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Cermak AVIATION...MLB