A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for areas along and south of Interstate 70 this afternoon into Sunday, with the heaviest snowfall expected in those locations, according to a morning update from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Forecast totals in the warning zone are most likely to range from 6 to 8 inches, with localized amounts approaching 12 inches possible in higher terrain or within stronger snow bands.
Elsewhere across the region, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect with expected snowfall between 3 and 6 inches. The Weather Service notes that the greatest uncertainty within the advisory area is the potential north or south shift of the peak snow axis. Counties with a 30 to 50 percent chance of reaching 6 inches include Muskingum, Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson in Ohio, as well as Brooke, Allegheny and Indiana counties.
Snow is expected to begin this afternoon, with most areas seeing accumulation start between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The heaviest snowfall is forecast to occur late this afternoon through early Sunday, with most locations tapering off between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday. Forecast maps highlight a narrow corridor of heavier totals near and just south of the I-70 corridor, where snowfall rates may briefly exceed one inch per hour.
Probabilities indicate high confidence in snow as the only precipitation type, as well as confidence in a focused band of heavy accumulation. The Weather Service notes that band placement will determine which communities receive the highest totals.
Travel conditions may become hazardous during the peak of the storm due to reduced visibility and snow-covered roads.
