Winter Arrives In Pittsburgh, Creates Nuisance For Last-Minute Shoppers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Winter has come to Pittsburgh. Cold temperatures, gusty winds and even some snow - it has all arrived just as the holiday weekend gets underway.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Allegheny County and much of the surrounding area. Several counties, including Clarion, Crawford, Jefferson, Mercer, Somerset and Venango, are under a Winter Storm Warning.
KDKA's Jon Burnett says we can expect to see more snow showers Saturday with a high of 33 degrees.
"[Saturday], showers – snow, all snow showers – move off to our east late afternoon and early evening," said Burnett. "We'll still have a few lingering flurries, but no additional accumulation as we head through Saturday night and on into Sunday."
As for snow totals, Burnett says we could see an another inch here in Pittsburgh.
"I don't look for much more in the way of accumulation, another inch or so through [Saturday] night; so for the next 24 hours, this is all we'll see locally," said Burnett. "Another two to four possible in the higher elevations to our east, and one to three [in areas to the north]. This is all now in addition to what's already on the ground through Saturday night, and then just flurries on Sunday."
In addition to those flurries, Sunday is looking mostly cloudy with a high of 37.
"Monday a little wet snow, maybe; and Tuesday, a few flurries flying Christmas Day," Burnett added. "That's it no additional accumulation. But cold is the word for the next 14 days."
But as Pittsburghers get ready for the holidays, the the winter blast is creating a bit of a nuisance.
High winds and snow flurries greeted the shoppers at Grove City Premium Outlets mall Friday afternoon, but near freezing temperatures and a light coating of snow was not enough to stop last-minute shoppers.
"It's the northeast, you know, you've got to expect it," said Bob Graham, a last-minute shopper. "It's about time we get the weather. I'm glad to see snow."
"It is cold and it's really nice here because not too many people came out," added Elaine, another shopper. "I think the weather kept them away, and so we're having a great time here."
With only four shopping days left until Christmas, a major storm is the last thing the mall wanted to see. Fortunately, this storm had more bark than bite.
"We are very pleased to see that the weather wasn't what they said, especially up further north, we didn't get as much snow as we anticipated," said Carmen DeRose, the manager of the Grove City Premium Outlets. "A little bit of snow is nice too because it gets people in the season and gets them in the spirit, so it's good for us."
The good news was that Interstate 79 was clear Friday afternoon, and since there is some snow on the ground, shoppers say it gives them hope for a white Christmas.
"I like the snow," said Chuck Moulaynaris, a shopper. "I'd rather have snow this time of year than heat and rain."
"I think it's the first snow we've gotten," added Dominic Pegley, another shopper. "Hopefully, we'll get some snow on Christmas."
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