Revelers planning to partake in New Year’s celebrations Tuesday night can expect a chilly but dry end to 2019.
High temperatures on the last day of the year will only reach the mid-30s and could fall into the 20s as the sun sets for the final time this decade.
The Pittsburgh region may see some flurries on New Year’s Eve, but it’s unlikely that there will be more than a dusting of snow on the ground.
“Worst case there could be up to an inch or so,” said Matthew Kramar, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, although it is “relatively on the low probability side of things.”
That forecast could bode well for those who plan to participate in New Year’s Eve festivities such as First Night, where city officials anticipate 50,000 to 75,000 people will join the party.
Police from the Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Port Authority and the state will monitor the Downtown celebrations.
Snow continues to expand across much of the Upper Ohio River Valley. Occasional bands of heavy snow accompanied by winds up to 30 mph may rapidly reduce visibility. Please stay weather aware and use extra caution if traveling today! #PAwx #OHwx #WVwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/XWLrWmONvF
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) December 31, 2019
First Night will begin on Seventh Street at 6 p.m. with the Dollar Bank Children's Fireworks. Studio Capezzuti's giant puppets will highlight the New Year’s Eve Parade that rolls along Penn Avenue at 8 p.m.
Musical acts are headlined by The Shadowboxers, an R&B/pop/soul trio from Atlanta. Most of the music, though, will come from Pittsburghers, including former Rusted Root singer Jenn Wertz, the sax-powered rock/fusion band Feralcat, neosoul singer Sierra Sellers, and Hugo Cruz and Caminos, led by the Cuban-born drummer.
Most major streets leading into and out of the Downtown Cultural District will remain open to traffic before, during and following First Night events on Tuesday, and all Pittsburgh Parking Authority and most other nearby parking garages remain open, according to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
First Night programming also includes improv comedy at Arcade Comedy Theater, Zuzu African Acrobats, magicians Jon Tai and Robert Ramirez at Liberty Magic, author talks, face painting, tarot card readings and Puppet Karaoke.
First Night Pittsburgh admission buttons are $10 each (children 5 and under are free) and grant access to all attractions. The First Night Friend VIP experience ($40) provides priority access to seating, parking, a private lounge sponsored by Citizens Bank and more.
Most major streets leading into and out of the Downtown Cultural District will remain open to traffic before, during and following First Night events on Tuesday, and all Pittsburgh Parking Authority and most other nearby parking garages remain open, according to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Some garages will have limited accessibility. The closures, from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, are the EQT Plaza garage and the Sixth & Penn Garage at 542 Penn Ave. Also, you can access 11 Stanwix Street Garage, operated by Alco Parking Corp., only from the Fort Duquesne Boulevard entrance.
The following roads are closed beginning at noon Tuesday and reopen at 1 a.m. Wednesday, unless otherwise noted:
- Penn Avenue at Stanwix Street to Sixth Street will be closed starting at 10 a.m. At noon, Penn Avenue will be closed from Stanwix Street to 10th Street.
- Sixth Street will be closed from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for the First Night Pittsburgh Parade, but will otherwise remain open throughout the event.
- 10th Street will be closed from Fort Duquesne Boulevard to Penn Avenue for the duration of the parade, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
- Stanwix Street from Liberty Avenue to Fort Duquesne Boulevard will be closed at 10 a.m. Tuesday through 2 a.m. Wednesday.
- Fifth Avenue Extension will be closed from Fifth Avenue Place to Fort Duquesne Boulevard (the Fifth Avenue Place garage is still accessible from Liberty Avenue).
- Seventh Street will be closed from Liberty Avenue to the entrance of Theatre Square Parking Garage (accessible only from Fort Duquesne Boulevard).
- Maddock Place will be closed from Penn Avenue to Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
- Eighth Street will be closed from Liberty Avenue at Tito Way to Fort Duquesne Boulevard (parking lot accessible only from Fort Duquesne Boulevard).
- Ninth Street will be closed from Liberty Avenue to French Street.
- Garrison Place will be closed from Exchange Way to French Way, and Exchange Way will be closed from Garrison Place to Eighth Street.
From 10 a.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, Uber/Pittsburgh transportation drop off and pick up points will be at the corners of Liberty Avenue at Stanwix Street; Liberty Avenue at Sixth Street; Liberty Avenue at Tito Way; Liberty Avenue at 10th Street; and Fort Duquesne Boulevard at Sixth and Ninth streets.
For information on Port Authority bus stops that may be affected by the street closures, call the Port Authority Customer Service center at 412-442-2000.
First Published: December 30, 2019, 7:25 p.m.
