The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh warns of dangerously cold temperatures as a deep trough ushers in arctic air from northern Canada. According to the service, we're expecting nearly a week of frigid conditions,, with daytime highs barely clawing out of the single digits and wind chills plummeting into negative territory—a stark contrast to what is typical this time of year.
This morning brought a transition to scattered snow showers, making for a tricky commute across western PA and into the higher terrain, where a Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Warning were in place. The weather service stresses that continuous cold advection, gusty winds, and wind chills could feel significantly harsher than the actual air temperature. Road accessibility could also fluctuate quickly due to the blowing snow, posing risks to the unsuspecting motorist on untreated roadways.
By this evening, the situation intensified. The National Weather Service reports an "Arctic outbreak with dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills. " Extreme Cold Warnings and Advisories are in full effect, with temperatures poised to dive as low as -10 degrees Tuesday night and wind chill values potentially hitting a bitter -25 degrees in some areas. This forecast signifies temperatures 20 to 25 degrees below what's standard for late January.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the week, a reprieve from the subzero assault seems distant. The National Weather Service anticipates a gradual uptick in temperatures by the weekend, but temperatures remain below normal through at least Saturday. Even as the term 'warming' is used, it's relative, with daytime temperatures only rebounding into the 20s and 30s. And there's more cold comfort on the way as another upper trough may bring a fresh round of precipitation by the weekend.
With records potentially at stake, Pittsburgh could be rewriting its winter history if the mercury drops below the lows last seen decades ago. The weather service reports that Pittsburgh has not seen a daytime high below 4F since January of 1994. Beyond bracing for the biting cold, residents are advised to prepare for the possible freeze of unprotected pipes, check on vulnerable neighbors, and ensure animals are adequately sheltered during this harsh spell.
