Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for parts of southwest Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, with heavy snow and strong winds expected to impact travel from Friday morning through early Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches are possible, with isolated higher totals along ridgelines. Winds may gust up to 45 mph, creating blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
The watch includes higher elevations of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Indiana counties in Pennsylvania, along with the ridges of eastern Monongalia, Preston, and Tucker counties in West Virginia. Communities named in the alert include Ligonier, Champion, Ohiopyle, Kingwood, Davis, Terra Alta, Parsons, and Canaan Valley, among others.
Forecasters warn that travel could become very difficult, particularly during the Friday evening commute, as snowfall rates increase and winds intensify. Visibility may drop to below one-quarter mile at times due to falling and blowing snow.
While a Winter Storm Watch does not guarantee severe conditions, it signals that hazardous winter weather is possible and that residents should begin preparing for potential disruptions. Officials urge motorists in affected higher-elevation areas to monitor forecasts closely and plan for slower travel or changing conditions.
Commuters, students, and workers traveling through mountain corridors and ridge-top roadways may face the greatest impacts if snow bands intensify as expected late Friday.
Additional updates are expected as the system approaches and forecast confidence increases.
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