Climate - Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)
The climate of Pittsburgh is continental, with very cold, snowy winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in southwestern Pennsylvania, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers (whose union gives birth to the Ohio River). The rivers flow at an altitude of 220 meters (720 feet), but many parts of the city are above 300 meters (1,000 ft). Lake Erie lies 180 km (110 mi) to the northwest.
The weather is changeable most of the year, due to the constant clashes between the cold air masses coming down from Canada and the milder ones coming from the south. In summer, the quietest season, thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Pittsburgh - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | -5.9 | 2.4 | -1.7 | 21 | 36 | 28.8 |
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| February | -4.9 | 4.2 | -0.3 | 23 | 40 | 31.4 |
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| March | -0.9 | 9.5 | 4.3 | 30 | 49 | 39.7 |
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| April | 4.8 | 16.9 | 10.9 | 41 | 62 | 51.5 |
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| May | 10.3 | 22.2 | 16.2 | 51 | 72 | 61.2 |
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| June | 15.2 | 26.3 | 20.8 | 59 | 79 | 69.4 |
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| July | 17.4 | 28.3 | 22.9 | 63 | 83 | 73.1 |
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| August | 16.7 | 27.6 | 22.1 | 62 | 82 | 71.9 |
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| September | 12.7 | 23.9 | 18.3 | 55 | 75 | 64.9 |
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| October | 6.5 | 17.3 | 11.9 | 44 | 63 | 53.4 |
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| November | 1.3 | 10.5 | 5.9 | 34 | 51 | 42.6 |
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| December | -2.9 | 4.8 | 0.9 | 27 | 41 | 33.7 |
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| Year | 5.9 | 16.2 | 11.05 | 42.6 | 61.2 | 52 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1,005 millimeters (39.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 65 mm (2.6 in) in the driest month (February) to 110 mm (4.3 in) in the wettest (July). Here is the average precipitation.
Pittsburgh - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 75 | 3 | 17 |
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| February | 65 | 2.6 | 14 |
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| March | 80 | 3.1 | 14 |
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| April | 85 | 3.3 | 14 |
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| May | 95 | 3.7 | 14 |
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| June | 105 | 4.1 | 12 |
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| July | 110 | 4.3 | 11 |
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| August | 90 | 3.5 | 10 |
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| September | 85 | 3.3 | 10 |
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| October | 70 | 2.8 | 11 |
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| November | 75 | 3 | 12 |
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| December | 70 | 2.8 | 15 |
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| Year | 1005 | 39.6 | 154 |
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Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold. Snowfalls are frequent, and at times can be abundant. On average, 110 centimeters (44 inches) of snow fall per year. The heaviest snowfall in one day occurred on March 13, 1993, when 60 cm (23.5 in) of snow fell. However, the snowstorms that hit the east coast of the United States typically do not occur here.
In return, cold waves are more intense, in fact, the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 °C) almost every year. The record cold, -30 °C (-22 °F), occurred in January 1994.
In colder periods, rivers can also freeze.
Summer, from June to August, is hot and quite sunny, although thunderstorms can sometimes break out.
The summer in Pittsburgh is not as hot and humid as on the east coast or in the south of the United States, also due to the altitude, which slightly lowers the temperature compared to sea level.
However, there can sometimes be very hot periods, usually of short duration. Typically, the temperature reaches 33/35 °C (91/95 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record is 39 °C (102 °F), recorded in July 1988.
Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods.
On average, there are around 2,020 sunshine hours per year. The amount of sunshine is lower than that of New York and the east coast. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Pittsburgh - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 3 | 95 | February | 4 | 110 | March | 5 | 155 | April | 6 | 185 | May | 7 | 215 | June | 8 | 240 | July | 8 | 255 | August | 7.5 | 230 | September | 6.5 | 195 | October | 5.5 | 165 | November | 3.5 | 100 | December | 2.5 | 75 | Year | 5.5 | 2020 |
Best Time
The best times to visit Pittsburgh are spring and fall, especially the months of May and September.
However, in summer it is generally not too hot, so after all you can also go in this season, especially in June and if you don't fear the heat.
From mid-October to early November, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon that is called fall foliage and that is particularly spectacular in Pennsylvania).
Pittsburgh - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.8 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) and a maximum of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.3 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -4.9 °C (23.2 °F) and a maximum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -15 °C (4.5 °F). However, it dropped to -23.3 °C (-9.9 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in February 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -0.9 °C (30.3 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.6 °C (-5.1 °F) in March 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.9 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.6 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.3 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 36.1 °C (97 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.9 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.4 °C (63.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.7 °C (54.8 °F) and a maximum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in September 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.9 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.9 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11.7 °C (10.9 °F) in November 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.9 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -2.9 °C (26.7 °F) and a maximum of 4.8 °C (40.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -17.2 °C (1 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 22.8 °C (73 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
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