u/StormFreak

Good Morning Freaks! It's almost here! I'm not sure why you all have so much interest in my birthday weekend forecast but I'm so pleased! Apparently, there is even a major Indy Car race in my home state of Indiana on my birthday to celebrate. I guess this StormFreak thing has blown up more than I realized! Unfortunately, the weather isn't looking to be super cooperative this weekend. So, whether you are planning on barbecuing, going to one of the local pools opening, or just running up to Ross Park Mall to buy me a present (gift cards from the nearby Arby's are also acceptable), you will likely want to have some sort of rain gear in tow. I'll break down each day below, but first here is a model output of total rain over the entire weekend. As you can see, this model shows 2.5" of rain in Allegheny County, and while it's just one model run, this has been pretty consistent.

https://preview.redd.it/ou2i7dp7th2h1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=0cdddd704ab80500c13a3aeed0f9476c0e302bd7

Friday

The day will start cloudy, with perhaps a few peeks of sun, but the clouds will build through the day, and rain will start moving in as the afternoon, and especially the evening rolls on. Temps will peak in the upper 60s. Rain is expected to continue fairly steady overnight.

Saturday

If your main plans are on Saturday and involve outdoor activities, you may want to reconsider. This will likely be the worst day of the weekend weather wise. Rain should be fairly steady most of the day with temps only in the low to mid-60s. I know several local pools (including Dormont and Cranberry) have their opening days scheduled for Saturday, but I would be surprised if that happens. The combination of the breezy, cool, and rainy weather will not make for a great pool day (unless that pool happens to be indoors). Rain will begin to diminish in intensity as Saturday night progresses. There is a chance for a rumble of thunder throughout the day on Saturday but currently there is no risk for severe weather.

Sunday (StormFreak's Birthday)

While rain chances continue on Sunday, it should be more scattered, and some areas may stay mostly dry. Also, temperatures will climb into the 80s which will make it feel much more appropriate for the unofficial summer kickoff. Sunday evening and night will likely see more widespread rain for a time as another pulse of energy moves through the area.

Monday (Memorial Day)

Monday looks to be similar to Sunday both in rain coverage and temperatures. Scattered showers will be possible throughout the day but will be location dependent how much rain you see. Temperatures will again climb into the 80s. For Monday (and Sunday) for that matter, I wouldn't cancel outdoor plans, but I would keep an eye on the radar and be prepared to dodge a shower.

Conclusion (plus an announcement!)

So that's the forecast! I wish I could be more of a bearer of good news, but I gotta call it like I see it. Also, while I like to joke about my birthday falling this weekend, I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. Records show that approximately 100,000 Pennsylvanians have died in military conflict throughout the 250 years of our country's existence. Politics completely aside (please), anyone who loses their life in service to something other than themselves should always be honored and remembered, so I hope you will take a moment this weekend to remember those who came before us and served our country. There are memorials all over our area that pay tribute to those who lost their lives in service. I hope that even if you don't have any grand plans this weekend, that you are able to take some time for yourself and relax.

Lastly, in response to people asking for more posts from me and expanded writing opportunities, as well as trying to limit how often I post here, I have created a Substack. I will still be posting to reddit my weekly outlooks at a minimum, but I will be posting a lot of new additional content to my Substack only (including a story of how this whole StormFreak thing came to be from a nerdy guy who doesn't even do meteorology for a career). If you like my content and want more of it, please check it out and consider subscribing! (it's free!). (Mods - This will be the only time I link to it on this sub - can we just be cool? - Love yinz too ❤️)

Song of the Day: Rain - Patty Griffin

Hey Freaks! Remember me? It's been a couple weeks since I posted last and there are a lot of reasons for that (more to come later), but I'm so glad to be able to pop in for a few minutes and give you an update on our weather for the upcoming week. But first, in honor of the return of the Pittsburgh Poetress's billboard on (take) Bigelow, I thought it was appropriate to start today's post with a poem a la Rachel Ann Bovier...

StormFreak - by StormFreak

He likes to look for patterns
In COVID, weather, and such
But when he joked about 53 inches of snow
Some people thought he was too much

He can be a lot to take
And his words can fill the page
He feels a lot and doesn't hide his hurt
But found himself a platform on this reddit stage

He does what he can
To turn sullen faces to grins
He tries to end his posts
With a simple "Love Yinz"

So, while his forecasts may not always be right
And sometimes he's just plain wrong
He considers his work a success
If you know you are enough and that you belong

The Forecast Discussion:

It's so interesting how a few weeks ago we were talking all about above normal temperatures and risks of severe weather, and now we are in the middle of the opposite pattern. I remember sharing this temperature anomaly map a month ago or so and our area was bathed in the bright red hues, but when I share it now, you will only see blues... wait, I don't need to rhyme anymore.

I'm Blue Da Ba Dee...

As I stated before, this map shows how temperatures over the week will compare with climate norms from 1981-2010, and as is very clear, the majority of this week will still fall in the below normal category, but as you can see towards the end of the loop/week, there is a change coming. Normal high temperatures for this week should be around 71 and lows should be around 50. For the first half of the week, highs will be in the mid 60s. Lows will be very chilly tonight in the mid 30s and frost is likely, but they will moderate a bit after tonight but still sit a bit below normal. Thursday will actually be our chilliest high temperature as we may struggle to hit 60, but that quickly reverses for Friday and Saturday as temps will begin to climb back to normal and maybe even end the week a bit above normal.

As far as rain goes. Today and tomorrow should be dry, but rain becomes likely starting tomorrow night into Wednesday. There is a marginal (1 out of 5) risk of severe weather on Wednesday, but right now that chance seems fairly low all things considered, but we will likely see at least a half inch of rain. After Wednesday, things should clear out for the end of the week and the season opener for our Pittsburgh Riveters!

If you are only here for the weather, feel free to move along at this point or jump ahead to the song of the week...

Life Stuff

If you've been following me, you know how much these posts mean for me and being able to express my true self through them. So, you probably also realize how hard it is for me when I can't post an update. And unfortunately, things are just very hard right now, which is why I didn't make any posts in the past week or so. Just like we are seeing so many transitions in our weather right now, I too am feeling these transitions in life, and the accompanying depression, anxiety and uncertainty make navigating the days hard sometimes. In full transparency, this feels like one of those eras of massive change without me having full control over the outcome. And let's be honest... Do we ever truly have control? These situations have brought me to rock bottom in the past, but this time is different. While the rumination and exhaustion are still there, what has changed is a constant, albeit sometimes dim spark of hope. That hope comes from many places. The work I have put into myself is one. The support of loved ones and an amazing group of clinicians and therapists is another. Then there is the hope of something bigger than all of us, but whatever that may be, what we can't see with our eyes can only be shown through the love we show one another. And that brings me to the last source of this flicker of hope and that is you, my dear readers and friends. Knowing that we are not alone in these battles is just enough for me to pick up the sword for another day and take on the horrors that lurk in the shadows. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I know I will be OK. And you will be OK too. Thank you for being you. Love Yinz ❤️

Song of the Week: The Great Divide - Noah Kahan

Hey Freaks who enjoy running long distance for sport! Hope your training has gone well and you are ready (as you can be) for the big day! From a weather perspective, this is pretty much the best you are going to get (although I would prefer some clouds). Temperatures are going to be chilly in the morning and only warming by less than 10 degrees during the race. As someone who was registered, but can now not run due to some life stuff and a lingering injury, I am insanely jealous of this weather, but I'll be rooting you on from the barricades! May your PRs be plentiful, your Glide thickly applied, nipples protected, and gels effective!

https://preview.redd.it/i4asuweap4yg1.jpg?width=1365&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a61065d3bd8778cbe718583b0dab0d53187a18b

Song of the Day: Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen