Brace yourselves, Pittsburgh: Snow and icy conditions are again on the forecast radar. Early this morning, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA, reported that a low-pressure system scooting over the southeastern United States will introduce snow today. Accumulations are anticipated mainly south of I-70. The West Virginia ridges might see the heaviest snowfall.
Snow is predicted to begin later this morning and continue into tonight, with the Pittsburgh metro seeing less than an inch of accumulation. However, places like Tucker and Preston counties in WV may see over an inch. According to the NWS, from I-70 south, seeing probs for > 1 inch ranging from 60 to 100%, with the highest over Tucker and Preston counties in WV. Travelers should note that while some snow may melt in lowland areas due to temperatures inching over 32 degrees, higher elevations will likely see significant accumulations.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the area faces the potential for light freezing rain early in the morning, specifically around the PA/WV ridges, though there's a level of uncertainty there. A subsequent system will likely lead to more mixed precipitation and possibly freezing rain Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday. Particularly, "Confidence in significant ice accumulation is highest across eastern Tucker County, where a Winter Storm Watch has been posted for Wednesday afternoon through the overnight," the National Weather Service explained. Once that system passes, colder air will move in, turning any lingering precipitation into snow.
After a short period of dry weather expected on Friday, the weekend could stir the pot yet again, with another weather system promising potentially impactful mixed precipitation. As the tail end of the week approaches, Another vigorous shortwave potentially takes aim at the Ohio Valley next weekend, according to the NWS forecast.
For aviation concerns, low pressure will lead to a gradient of weather conditions today. Flurries and light snow might cause varying levels of travel disruptions, The gradient of flurries/light snow with lower probabilities (20-40%) of restrictions and heavier snow with higher probabilities of restrictions (60-90%) is likely to be pretty sharp, the NWS forecast discussion noted. Poor visibility and snowfall intensity will likely dictate the timing and extent of airline delays and cancellations. This active weather pattern seems unwilling to grant a lengthy ceasefire, with another weather system set to arrive by Saturday. It's clear, winter in Pittsburgh isn't done with us yet.
