This story was updated at 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
The local National Weather Service office on Wednesday changed its winter storm watch for the latter part of the week to a warning, as the forecasts for the approaching storm come into sharper focus. The winter storm warning takes effect at 4 a.m. Thursday and runs through 10 a.m. Friday.
The warning includes Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Washington counties in the immediate region. Counties to the north and west are also included in the warning area, while counties to the east are under a winter weather advisory.
The weather system is expected to primarily affect the Pittsburgh region beginning overnight Wednesday into Thursday, with snow accumulation and ice forming, particularly Thursday evening into Friday. Allegheny County could see up to 3 inches of snow, sleet or both. In addition, between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch of ice is in the forecast, which will make for hazardous driving conditions and potentially could lead to power outages.
Areas closer to Lake Erie — especially those north of Interstate 80 — can expect snowfall to reach up to 6 inches, the weather service said, in addition to ice accumulations.
The National Weather Service’s winter weather message calls for “heavy mixed precipitation,” with the potential for 3 to 6 inches of snow and sleet and up to two-tenths of an inch of ice. Travel could be “very difficult,” the advisory warns, especially during the Thursday morning and evening commutes.
“Even though there are a lot of details that are still up in the air, Thursday evening and Friday morning are definitely going to be hazardous driving conditions,” NWS meteorologist Jenna Lake said earlier in the week. “No matter what part of the area you’re in, if you can avoid traveling Thursday evening or Friday morning, you should.”
The major problem expected to impact roads is the heavy rainfall that’s forecast begin tonight. As of Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service was forecasting a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain Wednesday night and another half-inch to three-quarters of an inch Thursday.
Temperatures should hover between the mid-30s and low 40s before dipping into the low 20s Thursday night, the National Weather Service said. That’s when things could get dangerous, as the rainwater begins to freeze.
If crews treat roads prior to the rain, much of the salt will be washed away before it freezes, forcing trucks to react to the ice rather than getting ahead of it, Ms. Lake said.
While the potential for ice is greatest in regions northwest of Pittsburgh, other parts of southwestern Pennsylvania should still be wary of hazardous driving conditions Thursday night.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey also announced Tuesday that he and Councilman Anthony Coghill would introduce legislation to purchase and rent new snow removal trucks.
Using more than $470,000 identified in capital budget funding, the bill would seek the “immediate” purchase of six new snow trucks and the rental of six more.
These additional vehicles would try to improve the city’s winter weather response while older trucks receive maintenance, according to release from the city Tuesday. Pittsburgh previously purchased 17 new trucks to respond to winter weather, but their arrival has been delayed amid supply-chain issues.
Mr. Gainey also announced the Department of Public Works hired nine truck drivers and four additional laborers for the rest of winter.
Allegheny County Public Works also said it was preparing for the freezing rain and would deploy 32 salt trucks Thursday, continuing coverage until the roads are clear. Extra salt will be placed while freezing rain and sleet falls, but like the National Weather Service, the county also noted that pretreating the roads is not an option.
The county predicted snow would accumulate while trucks were working and recommended residents try to stay home when the roads are slick.
Mick Stinelli: mstinelli@post-gazette.com; 412-263-1869; and on Twitter: @MickStinelli
First Published: February 1, 2022, 2:29 p.m.
Updated: February 2, 2022, 11:43 a.m.
