Pittsburgh, Pa. – Drivers across western Pennsylvania have less than 12 hours before freezing rain turns untreated roads and bridges slick, threatening the Tuesday morning commute with up to one-tenth of an inch of ice by 10 a.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Mercer, Venango, Forest, Lawrence, Butler, Clarion and Armstrong counties until 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 3. Forecasters expect a glaze to 0.10 inches of ice accumulation, enough to freeze overpasses and secondary roads.
PennDOT crews are monitoring interstates including I-79 and I-80, along with Route 422 and Route 8, where elevated surfaces cool first. Communities such as Butler, New Castle, Hermitage, Clarion and Kittanning could see patchy ice before daybreak, especially on untreated sidewalks and rural routes.
Even a light glaze can cause spinouts and slowdowns. Officials urge drivers to reduce speed, allow extra braking distance and avoid unnecessary travel during the early commute. Charge mobile devices and prepare for isolated power flickers if ice clings to tree limbs.
Conditions should gradually improve after 10 a.m., but additional advisories could follow if temperatures hover near freezing into midday.
