Temps across Western Pa. expected to jump by 50 degrees

Stephen Huba
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 11:32 a.m. | Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 11:32 a.m.

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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Runners exercise outdoors Thursday at Lynch Field in Greensburg as warmer January weather is expected to arrive in the region over the coming days. A high of 65 is expected for Pittsburgh on Saturday.

If you didn’t like Thursday morning’s cold temperatures, be patient.

By Saturday, temperatures will be in the mid 60s — a jump of more than 50 degrees from lows in the teens early Thursday morning.

Kinda chilly this morning, huh? Many areas saw their coldest temperatures since December 20th or so. Here are some of the observed lows across the region. pic.twitter.com/yV0ZC3YyFI

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) January 9, 2020

A strong low-pressure system across southern Canada will bring unseasonably warm temperatures by the weekend, said Michael Brown, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Pittsburgh office in Moon.

“It’s a very active pattern,” he said.

The system will bring “anomalous warmth” on Saturday, with an expected high of 65 in Pittsburgh, according to NWS. That high, although unusual, is not unprecedented — the record for Jan. 11 is 68. It was set in 1890.

Warm advection starts today and continues through Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/hTBrrx6l49

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) January 9, 2020

Temperatures will climb steadily over the next few days, with a high in the lower 40s expected on Thursday and a high of 55 expected Friday. The warmer temperatures will bring with them a higher chance of precipitation, with up to an inch of rain forecast Thursday night through Saturday night.

Area ski resorts say they’re not worried.

“When the weather warms up this weekend, surface conditions will take on a soft, granular consistency and our guests are able to shed a few layers to enjoy the slopes,” said Katie Buchan, spokeswoman for Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain resorts.

“Warm weather can prevent us from expanding terrain,” Buchan said, “but we pushed hard in December to open as many slopes and trails as possible, and most of that terrain is still currently open with a nice coating of fresh, natural snow on top and fantastic conditions for skiers and snowboarders.”

Total snowfall since Oct.1 stands at 8.1 inches, according to the weather service. That’s considerably below the Pittsburgh average of 13.1 inches by this time of the season.