Winter Weather: Heavy Snowfall Creates Hazardous Driving Conditions In Southwestern Pa.
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The first major snowstorm of the year caused headaches for drivers.
RELATED STORY: Crews Out Treating Roads With 6 To 9 Inches Of Snow In The Forecast
Multiple crashes and delays were reported on snow-covered roads around the area on Wednesday. Outbound traffic was temporarily stopped at the Fort Pitt Tunnel due to a disabled vehicle and road conditions on Greentree Hill.
The National Weather Service said the roads were a "nightmare" due to crashes on Interstate 70 in Washington County and Interstate 80 in Mercer County.
"Please wait until some of these heavier snow bands pass and salt trucks can get out and treat the road," the NWS Pittsburgh said on Twitter.
Crews were out plowing and treating roads all over the region, including in Butler County. Officials said the biggest challenge was keeping up with the snowfall.
Drivers said the roads were a mess on Wednesday night.
"The roads are horrible," said Gina Strasbaugh. "I had a friend who went into a ditch and it took her three hours to get home."
There was also a crash involving 30 to 60 vehicles in Clinton County, which is about three hours northeast of Pittsburgh.
The Port Authority said Wednesday on Twitter that "due to hazardous road conditions, we have pulled all of our vehicles from side streets and are only able to serve main roads for the remainder of the night."
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but people who do head out will see a reduced speed on some roads. There are also temporary vehicle restrictions on Interstate 80 from the Ohio border to New Jersey.
If you hit ice on the roads, police say to steer into any skid and push the brakes firmly if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. If not, pump the brakes.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parts of the Pittsburgh area from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.
