Ligonier, Pa. – Drivers in the Laurel Highlands and northern West Virginia have less than 12 hours to prepare before heavy snow begins falling by 1 a.m. Sunday, threatening to shut down mountain roads and snarl the Monday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 1 a.m. Sunday until 1 a.m. Tuesday for the higher elevations of Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties in Pennsylvania, along with Preston, Tucker and eastern Monongalia counties in West Virginia. Snow totals are projected between 6 and 12 inches across the ridges, with 5 to 10 inches in the higher terrain of Indiana County. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph, creating blowing snow and reduced visibility.
In Pennsylvania, communities including Ligonier, Donegal, Ohiopyle and Champion could see the heaviest bands Sunday night into Monday. PennDOT crews are expected to treat priority routes, but steep stretches along Route 30 and Route 381 may become snow-covered quickly.
Across northern West Virginia, Kingwood, Terra Alta, Davis and Canaan Valley sit in the zone for locally higher totals, especially above 2,500 feet. Gusty winds may drift snow across exposed roadways, including portions of U.S. 219 and Route 32.
Officials urge residents to avoid non-essential travel, charge devices and keep emergency kits in vehicles. Conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly overnight Sunday and remain hazardous through both Monday commutes. Additional advisories could follow if snowfall rates intensify.
