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Published on January 19, 2025
Pittsburgh Braces for Extreme Cold, NWS Issues Warning of Sub-Zero Wind Chills and Frostbite RiskSource: Nick Amoscato, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brace yourselves, Pittsburgh, and surrounding regions as a spell of frigid temperatures looms. Following today's snow deposit, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a stern warning for a significant cold outbreak. Beginning Monday and extending through Wednesday, extreme cold is forecast to grip the area, causing concern for burst pipes and frostbite risks.

Before the chill, snow will continue through tonight, with the heaviest accumulations expected along the ridges and southeast of Pittsburgh. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are now in effect, with temperatures predicted to plunge and wind chills to tumble below zero tonight. "Temperatures continue to fall, with wind chills eventually dropping below zero tonight," the National Weather Service emphasized.

This impending cold snap isn’t just another drop in the thermometer but a plunge into potentially record-breaking territory. Forecasted lows could range from the high negative single digits to the teens, with wind chills hitting shivering -15°F to -20°F through at least Tuesday morning and possibly worsening by Wednesday. Arctic air will dip down out of far northern Canada across the eastern United States starting tomorrow morning, detailing the nationwide impact of the deep freeze.

Residents are advised to take preventative steps now, such as insulating pipes and caring for pets and vulnerable plants in anticipation of the bitter cold. Communal concerns rise as the extreme weather conditions may also lead to hypothermia or frostbite, which can occur rapidly on exposed skin. Prolonged exposure to the cold may lead to hypothermia. The advisory warned that frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes for exposed skin, prompting calls for rescheduling outdoor activities where possible.

The cold front is expected to ease somewhat after Wednesday, with predictions of a slight warming trend by the weekend.