Another Spring Snowfall Prompts Winter Weather Advisory For Region
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Many people had to clean a small amount of snow off their car Friday morning. The bad news is, more will fall overnight tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for much of our area.
The alert remains in effect until 5 p.m. Saturday for the following counties:
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Forest, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, and Westmoreland
Watch the latest forecast:
According to KDKA Chief Meteorologist Jeff Verszyla, there will be a few rain showers first, and after that we'll start to see snow showers.
"So, at least initially, after 10 o'clock [Friday night], we're going to see a period of some rain showers eventually mixing over to some snow showers overnight with the main period for snowfall between about 2 o'clock in the morning and 10 o'clock [Saturday] morning," Verszyla said.
As for how much will see, Verszyla says northern areas will see more than local areas. In and around Pittsburgh will see between one to two inches.
"I think between those hours we may see an inch or two locally. A slushy accumulation mainly on the non-paved surfaces; otherwise, likely just wet. Perhaps two or three inches along I-80 and over in the Laurel Highlands," Verszyla said. "We should be wrapped up by lunchtime [Saturday] or so, and then the rest if the weekend [is] free of precipitation and moderating temperatures, too."
Verszyla says because of the above freezing temperatures through about 3 a.m., snow-covered roads won't be possible until very late.
Still, the Pittsburgh Public Works Department issued a Level 1 Snow Alert. Officials say they have about 50 vehicles out throughout the city to monitor conditions and treat the roads.
The crews began working 12-hour shifts beginning at 10 p.m. Friday.
"Level 1 is basically a storm where we expect less than two inches of snow," said Pittsburgh Chief Operations Officer Guy Costa. "Basically, we'll be in a salting mode overnight into [Saturday]. If we get more snow than anticipated plows will be added to the trucks."
You can track the progress of the city's snow plows, by visiting the Public Works Department's website here.
PennDOT will also be monitoring the conditions overnight and into the morning.
"We'll have crews out tonight. We'll be monitoring the forecast to see how it's going to come in. We'll pre-treat the roadways if it doesn't come in as rain and we'll have crews on all night till the storm ends," said PennDOT's Steve Cowan. "Please drive safely, slow down, know that especially bridges and overpasses and ramps can be very slick."
After the snow showers end around 10 a.m., Verszyla says Saturday will remain mostly cloudy with brisk conditions. But there could be some sun later in the day.
Then, but early next week, we'll see more moderate temperatures near 60.
Stay With KDKA.com for the latest on the weather conditions.
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