Pittsburgh has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with highs reaching 27–29°C, while winters are cold and snowy, with lows often below -6°C. Rain falls year-round, peaking in late spring and early summer. Sunshine is most abundant from May to August, and weather can change rapidly throughout the year.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Pittsburgh’s climate is defined by its inland location and varied topography, resulting in significant seasonal contrasts. Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs of 2–4°C and lows dipping to -6°C or lower. Snowfall is common, averaging 70–110 cm per year, and ice or sleet can occur during cold snaps. Days are short, often cloudy, with just 2–4 hours of sunshine, and winds can be brisk, especially during storms. January is typically the coldest month, but temperatures can occasionally plunge below -15°C.
Summers (June–August) are warm and humid, with average highs of 27–29°C and lows around 16°C. July is the hottest month, but heatwaves can push temperatures above 32°C. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer, especially in June, which is also the wettest month. Humidity is moderate to high, and evenings are generally comfortable. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild temperatures (10–22°C), moderate rainfall, and rapidly changing weather. Spring brings blooming flowers and frequent showers, while autumn is known for crisp air and vibrant autumn foliage. Pittsburgh receives about 970 mm of precipitation annually, with rain fairly evenly distributed but peaking in late spring and early summer. The city averages 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, with daylight lasting up to 15 hours in June and July.
| Average climate data for Pittsburgh, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 1 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -6 | -5 | -0 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 1 | -2 | -6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 43 | 50 | 52 | 70 | 78 | 70 | 71 | 52 | 55 | 53 | 39 | 53 | 686 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 164 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 84 | 72 | 64 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 51 | 299 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 14 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 48 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 83 | 83 | 78 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 83 | 78 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 70 | 66 | 58 | 51 | 44 | 41 | 36 | 35 | 39 | 49 | 51 | 66 | 50 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
The best time to visit Pittsburgh is from May to September, when temperatures are warm (20–29°C), days are long, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor events. These months offer the most sunshine and comfortable evenings, ideal for sightseeing, riverfront walks, and enjoying Pittsburgh’s parks and neighbourhoods.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to February, when days are shortest, temperatures are coldest (highs of 2–4°C, lows below -6°C), and snow or ice is frequent. Outdoor activities are limited, but the city’s museums and cafés offer cosy refuge from the chilly, damp weather.
Pittsburgh has hot, humid summers (highs 27–29°C) and cold, snowy winters (highs 2–4°C, lows below -6°C). Rain falls year-round, peaking in late spring and early summer, and the city enjoys distinct seasons.
Yes, snow is common from December to March, with an average of 70–110 cm per year. Most winter precipitation falls as snow or sleet, and frosty mornings are frequent.
May and June are typically the wettest months, with up to 100 mm of rain and 12–14 rainy days. Rain is moderate in spring and autumn, while summer is drier except for brief thunderstorms.
Pittsburgh enjoys up to 8 hours of sunshine daily in July and August. Annual sunshine averages around 2,000 hours, with the sunniest months from May to August and the least sunshine in December and January.
Pack warm, waterproof layers for winter and spring, and light clothes plus sun protection for summer. Even in summer, evenings can be cool. Always bring layers, as weather can change quickly.
Yes, late spring to early autumn is ideal for outdoor activities, with mild to warm temperatures, long days, and lively parks. Winter is best for cosy indoor experiences and exploring historic sites.
While not a seaside city, Pittsburgh has riverfront areas and pools for summer relaxation. Local swimming spots and parks are popular in hot weather, but always check water quality and safety.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (28.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (0.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 15.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (17.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (78 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is November (38.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 685.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (18.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (8.8 days). Over the whole year there are 164 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (84 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 299.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (14.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, June and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 47.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (83.3 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (72.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (12.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (7.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 10.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (70 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (34.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 50.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 2.2 h). Over the whole year there are 6.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June and July (UV index: 6). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.6.
