Pittsburgh's Weather: From Freezing to Melting

Pittsburgh is finally saying goodbye to its deep freeze. After a long stretch of cold weather, temperatures are on the rise. By the end of this week, things could get quite warm, with highs reaching up to 60 degrees. This sudden change is expected to melt the snow that has been piling up. The warm-up started on Monday morning. By the end of the day, temperatures were expected to reach the lower 40s. This shift is a big deal because Pittsburgh has been stuck in a deep freeze for over a week. The last time temperatures were above freezing was on December 29th. But don't pack away your umbrellas just yet. Rain is on the way. There's a high chance of rain late Tuesday, though it might not be enough to wash away all the salt on the roads. More rain is expected on Thursday, with a good chance of showers continuing into Friday. Up to half an inch of rain could fall, which might cause some minor flooding, especially along the Allegheny River.This sudden change in weather is due to a shift in wind patterns. A cold front that had been hanging around for over a week is finally moving out. In its place, warmer winds from the southwest are taking over. This is a big contrast to the frigid temperatures that have been the norm lately. Pittsburgh's average January temperatures are usually around 37 degrees during the day and 22 degrees at night. But this year, the winter weather has been even colder than usual. The recent cold snap was caused by a cold front that settled over eastern Canada and the northeastern U. S.