Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Issued by NWS Pittsburgh, PA
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094 FXUS61 KPBZ 091752 AFDPBZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 1252 PM EST Mon Feb 9 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Potential for large-scale disturbance over the weekend that could create freezing rain concerns for isolated areas. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1) Temperatures rise above normal Tuesday ahead of cold front; expect rain changing over to snow in the evening 2) Large-scale disturbance returns precipitation chances over the weekend; main concern would be for freezing rain along the ridges && .DISCUSSION... KEY MESSAGE 1... The recent cold and calm weather is expected to move out of the region in the next 24 hours. Expect temperatures to climb back to--or even above--normal on Tuesday as a storm system passing north of the Great Lakes draws warm, steady breeze into the Ohio River Valley from the southwest. Expect light rain to move in Tuesday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm as a cold front approaches. The rain will likely transition over to snow once the front passes and temperatures drop Tuesday night. Total rainfall should stay low--anywhere from a trace to 0.20 inches. With rising dew points into the 40s south of Pittsburgh, snow will likely start to melt. Since the snowpack is sitting at a frigid 0F to 23F, it`s going to take a lot more than a mild afternoon to melt it all. The main concern is that any snow that melts on Tuesday will likely refreeze on the roads early Wednesday morning. Drivers should watch out for icy conditions during the morning commute as temperatures drop below freezing. Snow accumulation will be minimal, generally ranging from a trace to an inch. The highest total are expected to be concentrated in the mountain ridges with upsloping from the northwest. KEY MESSAGE 2... Long-range guidance is consistently showing a low-pressure system emerging from the Rockies on Friday and tracking toward our region for the weekend. The primary concern with this disturbance is freezing rain, specifically along the eastern ridges. National Blend of Models (NBM) data currently places the probability of icy impacts at 15-20%, which may eventually require winter headlines. && .AVIATION /16Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... KEY MESSAGES... 1) VFR with light winds. 2) Increasing southwest flow, MVFR restrictions, and light rain/snow chances return late Tuesday into early Wednesday. ------------------------------------------------------------ Areawide VFR is confidently forecast with light winds and increasing mid and high clouds through the period. Increasing southwest flow develops Tuesday late morning and afternoon ahead of an approaching weather system that will bring light precip chances and MVFR ceilings to the area late in the day. Outlook... Chances of MVFR cig restrictions and light rain/snow increase late Tuesday into Wednesday with a passing weather system. General VFR is then favored late week. && .PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... PA...None. OH...None. WV...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Hefferan AVIATION...Cermak