Pennsylvania wakes to a gray, tense sky this morning as moisture thickens over the region and colder air presses in from the northwest. The pavement already holds a dull, damp sheen — a hint of the heavy, all-snow event expected to intensify late today and peak through early Sunday.
Residents south of I-70 should prepare first. Meteorologists now track a strengthening band of snow with the highest confidence of exceeding 6 inches, especially in the elevated terrain east and southeast of the Pittsburgh metro. Localized banding could push totals higher in favored ridges, creating fast-changing depths from one neighborhood to the next. Snow rates may spike between 5 PM Saturday and 3 AM Sunday, the stretch most likely to produce rapid visibility drops and hazardous roads.
Drivers on the PA Turnpike, I-79, Route 119, and I-70 should expect accumulating snow within minutes once the heaviest band locks in. Plan extra time and keep an emergency kit on hand; to be fair, these early December systems often tighten their gradient sharply, meaning a north-south shift of only a few miles could drastically change totals.
Farther north, confidence in 6”+ totals decreases, but travel will still be slick. By Sunday, lake-effect snow ramps up along the I-80 corridor, possibly extending southward within a narrow band and adding fresh coatings even after the main storm exits.
Winds stay manageable, but cold air keeps surfaces icy. Keep shovels ready, check tire pressure, and watch for drifting snow along open fields.
