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How much snow will Pittsburgh get? Here are the estimates and timing for Friday's winter storm

KDKA-TV Evening Forecast (1/18)
KDKA-TV Evening Forecast (1/18) 03:58

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Potentially the most snow western Pennsylvania has seen in two years will overspread the area late Thursday night and Friday.  

The snow will start to pick up in intensity around 4 a.m. Friday.  The steadiest and heaviest snow showers will fall through the morning commute then start to lighten during the afternoon hours.

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(Photo: KDKA Weather Center)

Up to an inch of accumulation is possible overnight, with the largest accumulations for this disturbance falling through the morning commute.  During this particular timeframe, 2-4 inches of snow is not out of the question.  

Around lunchtime, winds will begin to blow from the northwest.  This will transition us to lake effect and upsloping snow showers.  This will give the potential for an additional 1-3 inches.

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(Photo: KDKA Weather Center)

By the end of Friday, First Alert Meteorologist Ray Petelin would expect most places to see 3-6 inches of accumulation, with isolated spots seeing up to 8 inches. Another inch or two will be possible Friday night through Saturday where the lake effect and upslope snow persists.

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Since we have been in such a cold setup, the snow will be much fluffier.  The colder the temperatures, the more snow you get out of the moisture in the air. 

The last time we had 3 inches or more of snow was March 12, 2022.  That day, Pittsburgh accumulated 8 inches of snowfall.  We haven't officially had a 3-inch snowfall (or more) in Pittsburgh since!

If you live in the city of Pittsburgh and need help shoveling snow, call the Snow Angles by dialing 311.

Savvy snow shoveling tips ahead of Friday's storm 02:06

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