PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The season’s first widespread frost will blanket much of western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and the northern panhandle of West Virginia late Wednesday night into early Thursday, marking a sharp turn toward mid-October chill.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, a Frost Advisory will be in effect from midnight tonight through 9 a.m. EDT Thursday. Temperatures are expected to drop to near or just below 32 degrees, allowing frost to form across valleys, suburbs, and rural communities from Pittsburgh and Beaver County to Morgantown and Carrollton, Ohio.
Cold air pooling under clear skies and light winds will lead to prime frost conditions across Allegheny, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland counties, with similar chill spreading into Tuscarawas, Jefferson, and Columbiana counties in Ohio. Areas along I-70, I-79, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike may see light windshield frost before sunrise.
The NWS urges residents to cover tender plants, bring potted vegetation indoors, and protect outdoor plumbing ahead of the cold snap. Pet owners should ensure outdoor animals have warm shelter overnight. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for morning defrosting and to watch for slick bridges in rural spots.
Temperatures will rebound into the upper 50s and lower 60s Thursday afternoon, but another frosty morning could follow Friday as high pressure remains in place. Longer-range outlooks suggest continued crisp, dry fall conditions into the weekend before clouds return early next week.
