According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA, the Steel City is bracing for a winter bite as the weather rapidly turns from rain to snow. Pittsburgh residents should expect the wintry mix starting today as a cold front sweeps east of the region, transitioning the wet conditions to snowy blankets by evening. As if the snow wasn't enough, wind gusts are on the rise, too, with some areas in the ridges getting a blustery slap with speeds up to 55 mph.

The immediate forecast doesn't hold back on the chill factor, as temperatures plummet with the onslaught of the cold front. Single-digit wind chill values are anticipated late into the night, becoming frigid Thursday morning. Given the issuance of a Winter Weather Advisory, Pittsburghers in the WV higher terrain should mainly take note that parts of eastern Preston and Tucker counties in WV could witness snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches before the day is out.

The snowy conditions could cause some inconvenience for those on the ground. Less than an inch of snow is expected for most lower-elevation areas through late afternoon, while advisory areas can see 2 to 5 inches. The wintry weather and climbing winds are projected to spill into the following night but should simmer down by Thursday afternoon. As the skies clear, the region might also get a sneak peek at the sun by the end of Thursday.

By Friday, the cityscape might be looking up, as Pittsburgh is forecasted for a warming trend and, believe it or not, some dry skies as high-pressure moves in. A new trough encroaching from the central United States hints at rainfall by the weekend, alongside a possible mix of precipitations in the area north of I-80 and the ridges. But the certainty of this wintry mix is about as low as the temperatures earlier this week.

Those flying in or out of Pittsburgh can expect some disturbances as well. Morning flights could face restricted visibility and ceiling heights due to the front's crawl across the skies. NBM probs are giving a 50% to 80% chance of cigs AOB <1kft through the morning. IFR vis restrictions look likely after rain changes over to snow and winds pick up(gusts around 25kts) late morning through the afternoon as cold advection increases, the National Weather Service Pittsburgh. VFR conditions might return by Thursday as the turbulence tapers off.