The Pittsburgh area is in the grip of an intense cold snap, one that has prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) Pittsburgh to issue a Cold Weather Advisory for the region. Residents can brace themselves for bitter cold with wind chills expected to drop as low as 10 to 20 degrees below zero tonight, according to the NWS. The advisory is in effect from 7 PM today until 11 AM Saturday, underscoring the severity of the cold. The forecast, accessible on the NWS website, highlights that this could be one of the top ten coldest stretches in Pittsburgh's history, with the average temperature potentially recording at or below 15 degrees Fahrenheit for eight consecutive days.
The dip in temperature is triggering record-breaking cold, with previous daily lows set to be shattered. In Pittsburgh, the existing record of -5°F set in 2019 for today’s date is at risk, notes the NWS discussion. The expected continuation of the freeze through the weekend means that travel on back roads, where snow removal may not be as efficient, could become treacherous with any unshoveled snow becoming solidly frozen. The temperature forecast for next week still falls below the average, and river ice growth is slated to continue accordingly.
While the cold stands as the foremost concern, Pittsburghers should also be aware of potential, yet low-impact, snow flurries over the next few days. The trend of 'if you see a cloud, it might be snowing' continues, explains the National Weather Service statement. Opportunities for accumulations of snow are predicted for the middle of next week, with light snow ceiling restrictions caused by periodic rounds of light snow through the coming weekend.
Aviation in the region will also face challenges due to the weather conditions. Patchy IFR/LIFR ceilings are impacting flights northeast of Pittsburgh this morning. The NWS forecast anticipates VFR ceilings to prevail after late morning at Morgantown, WV, and flurries could potentially reduce visibility to MVFR levels intermittently. While widespread restrictions are less likely today, a developing disturbance is expected to cause widespread issues mid-week.
The extreme cold has also put climatic records on the line. For January 30th, the daily low minimum temperature record and daily low maximum temperature record in Pittsburgh are both at risk of being broken, with records going back as far as 1977 potentially set to topple. Historical data shows that the current weather pattern could be making its way into Pittsburgh’s list for most consecutive days with temperatures remaining at or below the 25-degree mark – a record currently held by 15 days ending on February 3rd, 1961.
