386
FXUS61 KPBZ 261629
AFDPBZ

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1229 PM EDT Sat Sep 26 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated Key Message 2

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Little impacts from the nor`easter through Monday
2) Continued dry stretch of weather before a late week front
returns precipitation, while above normal temperatures come
back.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Sunday and Monday will feature much more in the way of cloud
cover than the past two days as mid and upper level moisture
associated with the Nor`easter moves westward. As of now, there
is a low chance /<25%/ of measurable precipitation mainly east
of I-79. Can not rule out sprinkles as far west as I-77 Sunday
night into Monday.

This won`t be a washout in any area, but with mostly cloudy to an
overcast sky, temperatures during the day pull back into the mid and
upper 60s save for areas west of I-77 who will see more
sunshine.

KEY MESSAGE 2...
Come tuesday night, clouds associated with the nor`easter will
be out of our area. This allows a transitory H5 ridge axis to
move in returning dry and warmer weather. Thursday will be the
warmest day of the week with widespread 70s. Latest probs of
maxT 80F or greater continue to increase for northern WV,
southeastern OH, and southwestern PA as they now reside between
40-60%. This by no means is near record territory as benchmarks
for 1 October are still near 90F at most climate sites. Heat
risk at this juncture remains in the minor category.

We reside just south of a baroclinic zone which is along Lake Erie
into upstate New York placing us in the warm sector Friday and
Saturday. The trend continues for dry weather, however a weak
impulse could traverse generating scattered showers.  For now, probs
between 20-40% have been consistent in the warm sector.  With
increased moisture in the column, forecast highs pull back a little
on day 6 and 7 to the lower to mid 70s, while overnight lows near 60
are projected with above average confidence.

For locations who do not receive rainfall Sunday night or Monday
then none is expected the balance of September.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Confidence remains high that VFR conditions will prevail through
this evening under high pressure. A Nor`easter off the coast of
the Delmarva Peninsula will continue to lift north towards New
Jersey over the next 18-24 hours, maintaining northerly to
northeasterly flow across our region through Monday. Diurnal
mixing this afternoon may produce gusts of 15-25kts, primarily
at terminals east of PIT where stronger vertical wind profiles
are expected in closer proximity to the low.

Because of stronger flow just off the surface drifting west on
the periphery of east coast storm, flow aloft will be stronger
late tonight. This could lend to some brief periods of low-level
wind shear especially at the eastern terminals (DUJ and LBE).

Tomorrow morning, ZZV and MGW are the most likely to stay mostly
clear overnight which could result in the possibility for some
river-valley fog development.

Outlook...
Tomorrow, light rain is possible as early as the afternoon for
the eastern airports, however, it is more likely to start during
the evening. The chance for MVFR will gradually increase for
terminals from east to west as the nor`easter moves onshore.
There is about a 50%-80% of at least MVFR ceilings for all but
ZZV into Monday. There is about a 35%-50% chance of IFR ceilings
Monday morning for FKL, DUJ, and LBE. Restrictions will briefly
improve during the day on Monday. Tuesday morning there is a
chance for restrictions during the morning, otherwise conditions
will remain VFR until the next disturbance moves in mid to late
week.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...None.
OH...None.
WV...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...McMullen
AVIATION...Craven/Lupo