Does Pittsburgh have a heat advisory? High temps coming under heat dome
Less than two weeks after Pittsburgh saw extreme heat ahead of America's 250th birthday, the Steel City is expected to experience another round of high temperatures as another heat dome settles over much of the U.S.
High temperatures kicked off in the western and central U.S. over the weekend of July 11, with forecasters expecting the heat to hit the East in the coming days as a heat dome moves toward the Midwest and Ohio Valley, USA TODAY reported.
In Pittsburgh, that means temperatures will likely hit the mid-90s, with a possible heat advisory to be issued later in the week.
Here's what to know.
How hot will it get in Pittsburgh this week?
Temperatures are expected to rise in Pittsburgh during the early part of the week, with the heat likely to peak on Wednesday and no rain anticipated until Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service. These are the predicted temperatures every day:
- Monday, July 13: High of 89, low of 68
- Tuesday, July 14: High of 94, low of 73
- Wednesday, July 15: High of 96, low of 72
- Thursday, July 16: High of 93, low of 70
- Friday, July 17: High of 92, low of 70; 30% chance of rain in the evening
- Saturday, July 18: High of 89, low of 69; 60% chance of rain in the daytime and evening
What is the heat index?
The heat index measures how hot it feels based on a combination of humidity and air temperature, according to NWS.
It's an indicator of how comfortable it feels outdoors, as humid conditions make the body feel hotter. When it's humid, sweat evaporates more slowly because the air already holds moisture, making it harder for the body to cool itself.
What's the difference between temperature and heat index?
Temperature measures the actual air reading, or the number recorded on a thermometer in the shade, while the heat index shows how hot it feels when accounting for both the temperature and humidity.
Because high humidity makes it more difficult for the body to cool itself, the heat index is often higher than the air temperature, and it's used to gauge the risk of heat-related illnesses.
What is a heat advisory?
Heat advisories are issued when an area is expected to see a heat index of 100 degrees to 104 degrees, according to NWS. They're issued when an area will experience dangerous heat conditions that won't reach warning criteria.An extreme heat watch is issued when conditions for an extreme heat event are favorable, but the timing of the event and whether or not it will happen is uncertain, while an extreme heat warning is issued when dangerous heat conditions are expected or are actively happening. Both a watch and a warning indicate that the heat index is likely to reach 105 degrees or more.
Is Pittsburgh under a heat advisory?
Pittsburgh was not under a heat advisory as of July 13, but that could change as the city heats up in the coming days. July 15 is the most likely day to see a heat advisory as the temperature peaks around 96 degrees, according to NWS. The area is expected to see a major heat risk on that day, according to the NWS data.
What is a heat dome?
A heat dome forms when a large, stagnant ridge of high pressure traps hot air near the ground and creates extended periods of intense heat and high humidity with little relief, according to AccuWeather.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Does Pittsburgh have a heat advisory? High temps coming under heat dome
Reporting by Finch Walker, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:50 AM.