Western Pennsylvania could get 1 to 5 inches of snow early Friday

A storm set to strike Western Pennsylvania early Friday could bring as little as 1 inch and as much as 5 inches of snow, making for potentially difficult travel conditions during rush-hour commutes, officials warned Thursday.

“The snow (Friday) might be heavy at times, especially during the morning rush hour, and there might be limited visibility,” Allegheny County officials said in a statement. “We encourage drivers to slow down, plan additional time for their commute, and leave extra space between their vehicle and the ones in front of them.”

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory from midnight through Friday afternoon, with the bulk of snow expected to blanket the region between 5 to 9 a.m. Thursday’s rains will transition into freezing rain, sleet and snow overnight.

For most of Pittsburgh, the Alle-Kiski Valley and Butler up through Clarion, snow is set to begin falling between 4 to 6 a.m., when temperatures are expected to hover in the high-20s up to 31 degrees.

Farther to the south and east, from Uniontown up through Latrobe, Indiana and Punxsutawney, most of the snow will happen from 6 to 8 a.m., officials said. The storm will first hit eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia between 8 p.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday.

Rain falling now will gradually changeover to snow tonight through Friday morning. Here is the latest timing for the changeover across the region: pic.twitter.com/0N9gNMNF7l

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) February 6, 2020

Meteorologists predict the most snow will accumulate near Interstate 80 and along the tri-state region’s ridges.

Allegheny County plans to deploy 26 salt trucks with plows starting at 2 a.m.

“Public Works drivers will be kept over the end of their shifts and more will be brought in, as needed, to provide constant coverage until the snow stops and county roads are clear,” county officials said in a statement.

PennDOT and Turnpike officials urged drivers to reduce travel speeds and prepare for potentially slippery roads.

Friday’s temperature is expected to reach a high of 32 degrees and fall closer to 21 degrees by Saturday morning. Wind chills could make temperatures feel like the teens.

For the latest conditions and traffic cameras, go to 511PA.com/.

Public Works is expecting rain to transition to snow overnight with possible accumulation through tomorrow of 3 to 5 inches in the area. We will deploy 26 salt trucks installed with plows starting at 2 a.m. tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/xcFuyOhDV2

— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) February 6, 2020