Honestly, if you've lived in the 412 for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up and it's 45 degrees, pouring rain, and by the time you're heading home from work, you're scraping an inch of ice off your windshield while the wind tries to take your soul. Today, January 14, 2026, is basically a masterclass in that "yinz" brand of chaos.
We are currently tracking a massive temperature swing. This morning we saw a high of 46°F with a 100% chance of rain. Standard soggy Pittsburgh. But right now, as we move into the evening and overnight hours, an arctic front is screaming in. The hourly forecast for Pittsburgh PA shows temperatures plummeting into the 20s. That rain? It’s turning into snow as we speak.
The Current Hourly Forecast for Pittsburgh PA and What to Expect
If you're planning on being out tonight or early Thursday morning, January 15, things are getting messy. The transition from rain to snow is the "danger zone" for our hills. Because the ground is wet, that flash freeze is going to turn local backroads into literal skating rinks.
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- 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Temperatures drop from the mid-30s to high 20s. Expect light snow showers to start sticking.
- Midnight - 4:00 AM: This is the "arctic arrival." Winds from the west will pick up to 15-25 mph.
- Thursday Morning Commute: It’s going to be around 20°F. The "feels like" temp? Probably closer to 10°F or even lower.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Pittsburgh has already issued advisories for the Laurel Highlands, and while the city proper might only see a coating to an inch, the wind is the real story. We're looking at wind chills in the single digits by tomorrow morning. Basically, if you don't have your heavy coat out yet, find it.
Why our "Hourly" is never set in stone
Ever wonder why the weather app says it'll be sunny at 2 PM and you’re standing in a downpour at 2:05? It’s not just bad luck. Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of three rivers, sure, but it’s the topography that really messes with the hourly forecast for Pittsburgh PA.
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We have these "microclimates." A snow squall can hit Cranberry and leave Downtown completely dry. Or, as we’re seeing this week, the "freeze-thaw" cycle is wreaking havoc on the hillsides. PennDOT actually issued a warning this morning about increased landslide risks because of all the rain we just had soaking into the "Pittsburgh Red Beds"—that notoriously unstable clay-rich soil we all live on.
Surviving the 2026 Winter Swings
The big thing to watch for the rest of this week isn't just the snow, it's the "lack of phasing." Meteorologists like Justin Berk have pointed out that while we have the cold air, the moisture isn't perfectly lining up for a "Big One" just yet.
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What we do have is a reinforcing shot of arctic air. Next week, specifically around Tuesday, January 20, we’re looking at highs that might not even break 16°F. That is "stay inside and eat pierogies" weather.
- Check the "Feels Like" index: In Pittsburgh, the raw temperature is a lie. The wind coming off the rivers adds a bite that standard thermometers don't capture.
- Watch the 3-1-1 alerts: The Department of Public Works is usually on top of the salt trucks, but they prioritize emergency routes first. If your side street is a sheet of ice, it might take 24 hours for a truck to get there.
- Landslide awareness: If you live on a slope (which is most of us), keep an eye on new cracks in your driveway or trees that look like they're leaning more than usual. This week's rain-to-freeze transition is a prime trigger.
What’s coming next?
The long-range look for late January 2026 suggests we stay in this "colder than normal" pattern. We're seeing a 75% chance of a more significant snow storm around January 24. For now, just focus on tomorrow's commute. The roads will be slick, the wind will be brutal, and you'll probably see at least one person wearing shorts at Giant Eagle despite the 15-degree wind chill.
Stay warm, keep the salt handy, and maybe give yourself an extra ten minutes to defrost the car tomorrow morning. You’re gonna need it.