Snow Expected To Impact Western Pa. Over Weekend

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The coldest weather of the season so far arrives in Pittsburgh over the back half of the weekend with snow showers and light accumulating snow possible in the city.

At this point, it appears the hardest hit areas will be in the Laurel Highlands, where more than an inch of snow will be possible.

It's always tricky to determine accurate snow totals, but it is especially tricky to forecast snow totals early in the season. This is due to a couple of reasons, including much of the snow likely melting on contact, a mix of rain at times in the snow, along with the difference that comes from snow falling and accumulating being greatest early in the season.

At this point, I am calling for light accumulations on grassy areas with the Laurel Highlands likely seeing around an inch of snow.

The forecast for the weekend calls for rain Saturday afternoon into the evening hours, when it will change over to snow. Most of the snow will fall overnight through Sunday morning. I fully expect a light dusting as folks are waking up on Sunday morning for grassy areas.

After that, we should see some minor accumulations before the snow melts off again Sunday evening, when snow is expected to come to an end. Lake effect snow could play a role in increasing snow totals along and mainly north of Interstate 80.

At this point, the Laurel Highlands should expect to see between 1-2 inches of snow. Places along and north of I-80, including Mercer and Venango counties should expect to see half an inch of snow on grassy areas.

Places south of I-80 through Interstate 70 should expect to see a little over a dusting, with places south of I-70 seeing scattered snow showers and likely no accumulation.

Before we get to Sunday and even Saturday's rainy forecast, we have a couple of nice days ahead.

Today's highs should be near 60 degrees with highs in the mid to upper 60s for Friday and Light Up Night in downtown Pittsburgh.

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