As Pittsburghers gird themselves against the biting cold, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has updated its snowfall forecast, cautioning that the Laurel Highlands and the higher terrain of West Virginia could now see 3-5 inches of snow accumulation. Lower elevation areas are expected to get about an inch, but isolated spots may see more, as detailed in an update from the National Weather Service Pittsburgh.
Today's weather is not just about the snow; gusty winds are also part of the mix, with the National Weather Service forecasting wind gusts reaching up to 35 mph for most areas and peaking around 55 mph in eastern Tucker county West Virginia, snow showers may also intensify into squalls, so both drivers and pedestrians should prepare for potentially treacherous conditions a result of the swift change in weather following on the heels of a cold front and a reinforcing front expected to bring more than just a frosty blanket down upon the Pittsburgh area.
A warmup is on the horizon for the early part of the week, but don't put away those snow boots just yet, as rain is set to shift back to snow by midweek. This comes ahead of a forecasted deepening trough and associated cold front, with the potential for continuous snowfall into Thursday evening, though uncertainties still loom around this developing system, the National Weather Service advises that trends will be monitored closely.
Travelers taking to the skies can expect widespread initial restrictions early Sunday morning due to snow showers, with breezy conditions setting in by the afternoon. Visibility may drop to as low as LIFR during the heaviest snowfalls, while VFR conditions are likely to resume come Monday and last until the next low-pressure system affects the region later in the upcoming week, as reported by the National Weather Service.
For those within the advisory zones, such as for PAZ074-076 and parts of West Virginia, the Winter Weather Advisory stands from 8 AM this morning to 1 AM EST Monday, with a Wind Advisory in place for WVZ514 during the same time period. Staying updated with the latest weather information and preparing for a mix of snow and strong winds is recommended.
