Weather Warnings & Advisories Issued As Wintry Mix Approaches
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - An overnight system heading our way from the northwest will bring with it a chance for snow, sleet and freezing rain.
Parts of the area, including Pittsburgh, could see up to a quarter of an inch of ice on roads, power lines and tree limbs.
The only good news is that with our crazy Pennsylvania weather, highs tomorrow will hit the 50 degree mark in the afternoon. With a light mist continuing to fall and strong winds from the south, all ice and most of the snow should melt off by the time the sun goes down.
The local National Weather Service office has issued Winter Storm Warnings for Allegheny, Butler, Beaver Lawrence and Westmoreland counties with a smorgasbord of other warnings and advisories issued for western Pennsylvania and surrounding area.
LATEST FORECAST:
The Winter Storm Warning is due to an expected 0.1"-0.25" of accumulated ice being possible overnight. The warning goes into effect at 11 p.m. Friday and goes through 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Temperatures will surge to the 50 degree mark in the afternoon with it turning cooler by the evening hours.Snow could arrive as early as 10 p.m. tonight with light accumulations likely on top of the snow already on the ground. Freezing rain and a sleet mixture arrives after 1 a.m. with freezing rain lasting through at least 6 a.m. By 9 a.m., temperatures return to over 32 degrees and the rest of the day will have a light rain chance mainly from Allegheny County to the south.
Another round of rain and snow is expected on Sunday morning, but snow accumulations will be small, if anything for the day.
The National Weather Center along with the KDKA Weather Team is advising patience on Saturday morning.
If you do not have to travel, it will be best to stay at home. Also, be prepared and make sure cell phones and any electronics are charged in case power is lost.
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works has issued a Snow Level 1 Alert effective 12:00 a.m. Saturday. Overnight crews will being working 12-hour shifts starting at 10:00 p.m. Approximately 50-60 vehicles will be deployed throughout the city to monitor conditions and treat streets overnight.
"It gets that residual salt on the road so the initial snow doesn't bond and it will help to also prevent some of the freezing of the rain tomorrow morning," said Assistant District Executive Angelo Pampena.
Pampena urged people who will be shopping on Saturday to try and wait until temperatures get above freezing.
Due to the hazardous conditions that result from freezing rain, city officials encourage all residents to stay indoors and off of the roads, if possible.
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