Is summer weather in Pittsburgh oppressive? (Washington, California: live in, relocating, cities)

[lynnlabe]

We live in DC and are considering relocating for a few reasons, one of which is the awful summer. I know it is humid in Pittsburgh, but am wondering if locals find the summers difficult.
Also, is it really as cloudy as everyone has joked? I've looked up this stuff on-line but that doesn't really give a flavor of it's like to be there. I'm wondering if it feels as dark as Seattle or if the cloudiness is broken up over the year and that makes a difference.
Obviously these are personal opinions, but your input is so helpful. Thanks!

[North Beach Person]

You're going to start a **** storm.

Note my location now.
Note also that I grew up 80-150 miles north of Pittsburgh.

There is absolutely no comparison to summer humidity in DC to Pittsburgh. After being here you will hardly notice it there except for the rare days in the summer. The sky is rarely that white haze you get here. Also recall all those 90+ days we have here, which are a rarity in that part of PA.

Winter there is much different than here. It's not unusual for it to snow a little bit everyday in the winter there. Locals (except for the whiners) ignore it. Things don't grind to a halt in PA because of a 1/2 inch of snow. SAD can be an issue in PA. You'll notice the cold.

[YtownGuy]

As you say, it's all a matter of opinion. Pittsburgh can be muggy in the summer but not as bad as DC seemed to me at that time of year. There can be cloudy stretches, but sooner or later the sun will come out.

[escilade18]

Pittsburgh is usually cooler in the summer than Washington DC due to being west of the mountains. It is humid, but I don't find it impossible to handle (save for a week or so after coming back from California). It really isn't super cloudy in the spring, summer and autumn, the winter time is when it can get cloudy. Usually the longest it will stay cloudy for is 2-3 days,not for weeks or months at a time. I would say that on average, Pittsburgh has a slightly colder winter with more snow than DC, but we are not overly cloudy like Seattle or get a ton of snow like Cleveland or Buffalo. I suggest visiting over February for a day or two to see what winters are like for yourself, then do the same in the summer. If you have any questions, feel free to ask

[Craziaskowboi]

Ask some Pittsburghers and they'll tell you that the weather in general is oppressive, regardless of the conditions.

[hinsey86]

I lived In Virginia (on the coast) for 30 years years. I love the summers here. I laugh when folks talk about how hot or humid it gets here.

[Hopes]

The cloudy part helps break the heat even when it's humid.

I hate humidity. I wouldn't be able to handle it if it were humid and full sun.

Even with clouds, it's not dark and gloomy in the summer.

[lynnlabe]

PP here. Thanks! I always find all of you so helpful. We visited in Jan. It was pretty gloomy, which was fine with me. I think stretches of several weeks/months like that would be tough. But I'd take that over humid sunny summer days any time.

[bradjl2009]

You'll probably find Pittsburgh summers to be nowhere near as bad as they are in DC. I think we average 7-8 90 degree days a year, 1 day above 95 every few years and Pittsburgh hasn't had a 100 degree day since about 1995. I always notice DC is 5-15 degrees warmer than Pittsburgh most days which I like since I hate hot weather. Didn't we have a summer thread with a final tally of 90 degree days for Pittsburgh and other cities gnutella?

[sparrowmint]

I find it oppressively humid, but I'm not a native to the area. I am from somewhere that is also horribly humid in the summer, and it's just not something I've ever gotten used to.