Winter storm warning issued for Pittsburgh region as massive weather system moves across U.S.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for a cold front expected to bring the dreaded “wintry mix” of snow and sleet to the Pittsburgh region Thursday.

Freezing rain is expected to begin in Pittsburgh by 4 p.m. and in points east by 6 p.m. on Thursday, according to weather service officials. Snow and sleet accumulation is forecast between 1 and 3 inches, with ice accumulation between one- and three-tenths of an inch.

That storm warning — which includes Butler, Beaver, Allegheny, Greene and Washington counties — will remain in effect until 10 a.m. Friday as the front moves toward Pittsburgh. As shown on NWS radar, it stretches all the way from Montreal to Baja California on Mexico’s western coast.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued due to a combination of snow and ice.

Thursday afternoon to Friday will be the most likely period where impacts are seen, and that ice accumulation is the primary threat for most of the area (with snow the higher impact north of I-80). pic.twitter.com/eun8jMZvW3

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) February 2, 2022

The potential storm has caused many Pittsburgh area schools and businesses to close or be delayed.

Armstrong, Westmoreland and Fayette counties will be under a winter weather advisory, with mixed precipitation and total snow accumulation up to 3 inches expected.

That advisory runs from until 10 a.m. on Friday.

The disruptive storm currently unloading snow and a wintry mix across the Central states will make its presence felt in the Northeast on Thursday: https://t.co/ilfxoGpjoA pic.twitter.com/NBizXRwigK

— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) February 2, 2022

The National Weather Service also has issued a flood watch for portions of Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. The watch is in effect through late Thursday night.

The weather service cautions that excessive rainfall on top of packed snow and resulting runoff could result in flooding of rivers and streams and other low-lying and flood-prone areas.

In preparation for the coming weather, PennDOT issued these vehicle and roadway restrictions:

• As of noon on Thursday, Tier 1 restrictions (see below) will go into effect for: I-79 from I-80 northward; I-80 from the Ohio border to I-99; and the entire length of I-86 and I-90.

• As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Tier 1 restrictions will go into effect for: The entire length of Interstates 70, 79, 80, 84, 99, 180, 279, 376, 380 and all of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Routes 43, 66, 376 and 576. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be under restrictions from the Ohio line to the Breezewood exit.

Tier 1 restrictions mean these vehicles will not be allowed on the affected roads:

• Tractors without trailers;

• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers;

• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;

• Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle;

• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;

• Recreational vehicles and motor homes;

• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches not carrying chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs);

• Motorcycles.

PennDOT is urging drivers not to travel during the storm if possible. Drivers can monitor and check conditions on more than 2,900 miles of roads at 511PA.com.

Follow PennDOT’s southwestern Pennsylvania Twitter feed at Twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh.