Pittsburgh Prepares For Winter's Punch: Updated Snowfall Predictions

PITTSBURGH, PA — A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and the National Weather Service is advising that it could be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.

Counties south and east of Pittsburgh, including Washington, Westmoreland, Greene and Fayette already have the warning in place.

However, "there is slightly more uncertainty in the forecast decision just north of that area depending on the extract low track and areas where the heaviest banding is expected, the weather service stated in a social media post.

Currently, the Pittsburgh area is expected to receive three to five inches of snow.

When will the precipitation arrive?

Snow is expected to overspread the area between 1 p.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, declining between 1 a.m.-7 a.m. on Sunday. Most of the area is expected to see accumulations of as much as an inch an hour, with the highest accumulations occurring south of Interstate 70.

The highest snowfall rates are expected to arrive between 5 p.m.-7 p.m. and depart from 11 p.m.-2 a.m.

The city Department of Public Works Division is planning on around-the-clock coverage from 10 a.m. on Saturday until 6 a.m. on Monday. Residents are to expect trucks outfitted with equipment on the road at any given time and encouraged to allow them space to operate.

People are advised to avoid parking on the streets, if possible, to facilitate the swift treatment of roadways. Priority will be given to streets providing access to hospitals, emergency routes, and public safety facilities.

“We are fully prepared for this weekend’s winter storm, with crews deployed, ample salt on hand, and a comprehensive plan to treat city streets throughout the event," public works director Chris Hornstein said.

"But safety is a shared responsibility. We ask residents to make smart decisions on the roadways and, when possible, stay home until conditions improve.”

Allegheny County officials say they will deploy 24 salt trucks installed with plows beginning Saturday morning. The county has 9,387 tons of salt and 2,615 gallons of liquid calcium chloride in stock, more than enough to handle the forecasted snowfall.

It typically takes our drivers about one to two hours to complete their routes and then about an hour to return to the nearest maintenance garage, reload with salt, and restart their routes. So, when the snowfall is heaviest tomorrow, there will be accumulation and slick spots on our roadways.