Honestly, if you’ve lived in Western PA for more than a week, you know the drill. One minute you’re looking for your sunglasses, and the next, you’re digging through the hall closet for that one heavy parka that actually works. That’s pretty much the vibe for the Pittsburgh weather 5 day stretch we’re looking at right now.
It’s been a weird winter, but the "Steel City" is about to live up to its reputation for grit. We are moving from a relatively mild, gray sludge phase into a legit deep freeze that’s going to have people rethinking their morning commute and whether they really need to go to the Giant Eagle for just one gallon of milk.
The Immediate Mess: Rain, Snow, and Everything In Between
Right now, as of Friday, January 16, it’s 24°F, but it feels like a crisp 14°F thanks to a 10 mph south wind. We’ve got clouds hanging low like a damp wool blanket. Today’s high is aiming for 35°F, which is basically the "danger zone" for road conditions.
When the temperature hovers right near freezing, you get that lovely mix of rain and snow. By tonight, the chance of precipitation jumps to 35%. Most of us are looking at a coating to maybe an inch, but if you’re heading toward the ridges in Fayette or Westmoreland counties, the National Weather Service has already slapped a Winter Weather Advisory on the area. Those folks could see up to 5 inches.
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Saturday and Sunday: The Cold Creeps In
Saturday, January 17, doesn't offer much of a break. We’re looking at a high of 36°F and a low of 21°F. It’s going to be light snow during the day, which usually means just enough to make the Parkway look like a skating rink without actually looking pretty on the trees.
Then comes Sunday.
The high drops to 22°F. The low? 18°F. The southwest wind is staying steady at about 11 mph, which means the "RealFeel" is going to be well into the single digits. It’s partly sunny, which is Pittsburgh code for "the sun is out but it’s a lie because it’s still freezing."
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The Early Week Arctic Punch
This is where the Pittsburgh weather 5 day outlook gets actually serious. Monday, January 19, brings us a high of only 21°F and a low that bottoms out at a brutal 4°F.
- Monday High: 21°F
- Monday Low: 4°F
- Wind: 16 mph West
Tuesday, January 20, keeps the trend going with a high of 18°F and another 4°F low. These aren't just "stay inside" temperatures; these are "check on your elderly neighbors and keep the faucet dripping" temperatures. With winds hitting 15-16 mph, frostbite becomes a genuine concern if you're outside for more than 30 minutes.
Why This Matters for Your Week
Basically, the next few days are a transition from "annoying winter" to "hazardous winter." The snow on Friday night and Saturday morning might be light, but with temperatures crashing Sunday night, anything that melts is going to turn into a sheet of ice by Monday morning.
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Since Monday is a federal holiday, some of the traffic might be lighter, but if you’re heading back to work or school on Tuesday, expect delays. Local meteorologists are already whispering about 2-hour delays for school districts because of those single-digit morning temperatures.
Actionable Next Steps for Pittsburghers:
- Salt your walkways late Saturday: Once the Saturday light snow stops and before the Sunday freeze sets in, get that salt down to prevent a Monday morning ice rink.
- Check the car battery: Extreme cold kills weak batteries. If yours struggled to start this morning at 24°F, it likely won't start Tuesday morning at 4°F.
- Winterize the pipes: If you have an exposed wall or a drafty basement, now is the time to make sure your pipes are insulated or your heat is high enough to keep things moving.
- Pet Safety: If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them. Keep the walks short once Sunday night hits.
The Pittsburgh weather 5 day forecast isn't exactly a beach vacation, but at least we're finally getting some sunshine by Monday and Tuesday—even if it is the coldest sun you've ever felt.