A winter storm impacted the Pittsburgh area and broader region from late Saturday through Monday, bringing substantial snowfall and an arctic cold front. Forecasts predicted significant accumulation, with many areas receiving over 10 inches of snow by Sunday afternoon and evening. The system resulted in challenging travel conditions and plummeting temperatures across the affected counties.
Forecasts predicted significant accumulation, with many areas receiving over 10 inches of snow by Sunday afternoon and evening.
Storm Watch and Forecast Update
A winter storm watch was active for the Pittsburgh area, set to expire at 1 p.m. Monday. The system was projected to affect regions from the East Coast to areas east of the Rockies. Historically, Pittsburgh has recorded only two winter storms with over 12 inches of snow since 2000, and this event had the potential to be a third.
As of Thursday afternoon, total snowfall forecasts for most counties between the Interstate 70 and Interstate 80 corridors, including the Pittsburgh metro area, ranged from 6 to 12 inches. Forecasts indicated potential for these amounts to be adjusted upwards. Areas south of I-70, extending into northern West Virginia, were predicted to receive 4 to 8 inches, with the possibility of sleet. Regions north of I-80 were expected to see 5 to 10 inches.
Storm Timeline and Arctic Front
An arctic cold front arrived on Friday morning, moving across the area between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. High temperatures on Friday occurred early in the day, followed by a steady drop through the afternoon, with evening lows reaching single digits. Saturday morning temperatures were near or below zero, with wind chills reaching as low as -10 degrees in some locations despite light winds. Little temperature increase was expected on Saturday, with most areas reaching upper single digits to low teens.
Light snow began late Saturday evening, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., initiating in southern counties and gradually spreading northeast into Sunday morning. The heaviest snowfall rates were anticipated from 7 a.m. Sunday through 10 p.m. Sunday evening. A brief mix of sleet was possible in southern counties, particularly south of I-70, due to warmer air at lower-middle atmospheric levels.
While the main portion of the system concluded Sunday night into Monday morning, lingering snow showers and gusty winds were expected to continue throughout most of Monday, potentially causing blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Reported Snow Totals Across the Region
The winter storm delivered several inches of snow across the Pittsburgh area and surrounding counties on Sunday. Snowfall was projected to continue through Sunday night, with some communities in western Pennsylvania experiencing snow until Monday morning.
Overall, the storm was expected to deposit over 10 inches of snow across most of the area, with some counties potentially receiving up to 16 inches.
County-by-County Snowfall (as of Sunday afternoon/evening)
- Allegheny County:
- Ross Township: 12 inches (3:15 p.m. Sunday)
- Pittsburgh: 10.2 inches (5 p.m. Sunday)
- Armstrong County:
- Kittanning: 12 inches (1:28 p.m. Sunday)
- Beaver County:
- Midland: 15 inches (12:38 p.m. Sunday)
- Butler County:
- Butler: 14 inches (2:39 p.m. Sunday)
- Fayette County:
- Fayette City: 7.5 inches (12:41 p.m. Sunday)
- Greene County:
- Waynesburg: 6 inches (12:47 p.m. Sunday)
- Indiana County:
- Shelocta: 10.3 inches (1:42 p.m. Sunday)
- Washington County:
- Roscoe: 10.3 inches (12:20 p.m. Sunday)
- Westmoreland County:
- Monessen: 14 inches (3 p.m. Sunday)
Travel Advisories and Lingering Cold
Travel conditions were anticipated to be difficult across the affected region, with snowfall rates on Sunday potentially challenging road maintenance efforts. Residents were advised to modify travel plans during the peak of the system. Isolated power outages were also identified as a possibility.
Waves of cold air were expected to continue impacting the Pittsburgh area through much of the following week, with additional mornings experiencing low wind chill values, particularly on Tuesday morning.