The Pittsburgh region is expected to get a break Wednesday from the blistering heat and oppressive humidity when storms roll through in the afternoon.
The three-day stretch of hot weather began Sunday when the temperature hit 88 degrees followed by highs of 92 on Monday and Tuesday.
The average temperature for this time of year is 82 degrees.
The rain should temporarily tame the heat and humidity.
“Once the thunderstorms begin it will feel about 10 to 15 degrees cooler,” said Jenna Lake, a meteorologists for the National Weather Service’s Pittsburgh office in Moon . “Unfortunately, once the rain stops, the temperature is going to jump right back up until tomorrow morning.”
Lake said a cold front that brought rain showers and cooler temperatures to areas north of Allegheny County on Tuesday is moving into the area.
“As the cold front moves south and east we may have several strong thunderstorms,” she said. “It’s not going to be a one-and-done storm. The activity will remain elevated until at least tomorrow morning.”
Thunderstorms on the radar this morning are generally moving southwest to northeast with a pre-frontal shortwave. While we will be watching these in case they strengthen, the biggest threat for damaging storms will be this afternoon and evening when the cold front approaches. pic.twitter.com/WfQMjPD546
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) June 30, 2021
The intensity and frequency of the storms could cause problems in areas that already are prone to flooding, she said.
Once the rain passes, temperatures will dip to the low to mid-70s with significantly less humidity.
It will remain cooler with a 20% to 40% chance of rain on Friday and Saturday.
Lake said the forecast for Sunday’s Fourth of July holiday “is for a perfect summer day” with mostly sunny skies and a high temperature of 82.
