PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Western Pennsylvania is preparing for its first widespread snow event of the season as a cold system moves in Monday into Tuesday, bringing potential travel disruptions and sharply colder air. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh reports that any precipitation during this period will fall as snow, though the exact placement of heavier snow bands remains uncertain.
According to the NWS, confidence is high that snow will develop across the region, including eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. However, where the most persistent bands set up will determine total accumulations. Areas north of Interstate 80, especially around Mercer, Oil City, and Dubois, have the highest odds of seeing more than 2 inches of snow—with probabilities between 60% and 80%. Isolated higher totals may occur if lake-effect or mesoscale snow bands stall in one area.
In the Pittsburgh metro, light accumulations are expected, generally under 2 inches, but brief bursts could create slick roads during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes. Winds will remain steady out of the northwest, funneling colder air that drops wind chills into the 20s by Tuesday morning.
Drivers should plan for slower travel and monitor updates, as snow band locations could shift significantly within 50 miles. Even minor accumulations on bridges and overpasses could lead to icy spots early Tuesday.
The snow will taper off late Tuesday as drier air moves in, followed by clearing skies and cold overnight lows in the 20s. The next system later in the week appears weaker, with mainly dry conditions expected midweek.
