Pittsburgh, PA – A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for parts of western Pennsylvania as a low-pressure system brings a wintry mix Friday into Friday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, the system is expected to produce a combination of snow and freezing rain, with the greatest concern focused on ice accumulation. Forecast guidance shows the potential for up to one inch of snow, along with one-quarter inch or more of ice from freezing rain in portions of the watch area.
The highest probabilities for icing are centered east and northeast of Pittsburgh, where freezing rain may persist longer before changing to plain rain. Forecasters noted there is still uncertainty in the exact placement of the heaviest icing, highlighted as an area of greatest uncertainty on probability maps.
Ice accumulation probabilities show a moderate to high chance of at least a tenth of an inch of ice in parts of western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and northern West Virginia. Even small amounts of ice can make untreated roads hazardous and lead to tree damage or isolated power outages.
Elsewhere across the region, precipitation may begin as a wintry mix before transitioning to rain as temperatures rise. Travel conditions could deteriorate quickly Friday morning and remain hazardous into Friday night, especially during peak commuting hours.
The Winter Storm Watch is currently in effect from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service cautioned that forecast details may change, and additional advisories or warnings could be issued as confidence increases.
This system may particularly affect commuters, holiday travelers, and overnight workers traveling during changing road conditions.
Residents are urged to monitor updated forecasts and prepare for possible travel disruptions late Friday.
