The National Weather Service says chances are good for a white Christmas in parts of Southwestern Pennsylvania, although most of the snow is expected to fall in the days ahead of Sunday’s holiday and should stick around because of bone-chilling temperatures.

In social media posts Tuesday, the weather service office in Moon predicted between 1 and 3 inches of snow for the area, although it noted those figures had yet to be confirmed.

Greater accumulations are likely in the Allegheny ridges east of Pittsburgh.

“The ridges will definitely see on the order of a couple of inches more than the Pittsburgh area,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Jenna Lake.

“With this storm, the biggest impact is going to be the wind child and high wind speeds,” she added. “We’re probably looking at wind chills below zero mixed with winds of more than 40 mph. That could lead to widespread power outages.”

(1/7) ...so you may have heard that we're going to have a winter storm at the end of the week. How is it going to affect us? Are we going to have a White Christmas? Read below and let's find out. https://t.co/016hOMdQpd

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) December 20, 2022

According to the weather service, a deep freeze is expected to happen quickly Friday morning, with temperatures dropping from the upper 30s and lower 40s before dawn to less than 20 degrees by noon.

That could be the start of up to five days of sub-freezing temperatures, with the thermometer possibly dropping below zero by Saturday morning.

Sustained high winds also are expected to pick up Friday. That could lead to weekend wind chills of between 5 and 20 degrees below zero, the weather service said.

The chilling forecast is the result of an Arctic cold front that is moving across much of the country, according to the weather service.

Frostbite a concern

The predicted severe cold means frostbite will be another concern for those who venture outside without covering exposed skin.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that single-digit temperatures are cold enough to cause frostbite, which can occur in a half hour or less when the wind child is 15 degrees below zero or lower.

Frostbite symptoms can include numbness, swelling, blisters and blackened skin.

Frostnip is the first stage in developing frostbite. Symptoms may include skin that is red or pale white, cold, numb or tingly. According to the Cleveland Clinic, that’s a warning sign to get indoors before skin damage becomes permanent. Frostnip can be treated with warm — but not hot — water.

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