After the Western Pennsylvania region felt a record high temperature Sunday, the area will get cooler conditions this week, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Leonardi.
Sunday’s high of 84 degrees made it the hottest March 22 ever — and it tied for the region’s record high for any day in March, set back in 1929 on March 25.
Yesterday in Pittsburgh, the temperature of 84°F not only set a new daily record but also tied the all-time March high temperature, which was last reached on March 25, 1929.
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 23, 2026
On Monday, however, the region is expected to see a high only in the mid-40s before dropping down into the mid-20s in the evening, Leonardi said. A small chance of rain showers is forecast for the afternoon, he said.
Thunderstorms that hit the region Sunday late afternoon contributed to the drop in temperatures, Leonardi said. A thunderstorm watch — including possibility of hail and high winds — had been in effect for the Pittsburgh area until around 11:40 p.m. Sunday.
11:39pm: The Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been cancelled for the entire area.
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 23, 2026
“We had a pretty strong cold front move through yesterday with those thunderstorms, and it’s a pretty stark change in air mass,” he said. “It’s definitely a shock to the system.”
Temperatures are expected to pick back up into the 40s on Tuesday and rise to the lower and upper 60s on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. A cold front and rain showers are slated to move through the region overnight Thursday, pushing temperatures down into the 30s, Leonardi said.
Friday and Saturday, temperatures are expected to fall in the mid to upper 40s before increasing to the mid 50s on Sunday.
