Winter weather approaching Friday night in parts of Westmoreland County
Drivers are advised to use caution tonight as an increase in snowfall is expected overnight in the higher elevation of Westmoreland, Fayette, and Indiana counties, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
A winter weather advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday on the eastern edges of the three counties, where total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches are expected. Wind gusts as high as 40 mph may also occur as cooler air moves in from the northwest.
Remnant moisture from the passing low pressure system (which is currently center in Forest County) and lake enhanced moisture encased in cooler air aloft will change precipitation south of I-80 into snow showers. Accumulation will likely be confided to the ridges overnight. pic.twitter.com/5i0dcMhZlR
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 10, 2023
Lower-elevation parts of the counties and the whole of Allegheny County may receive a dusting of snow, but not much will accumulate, said meteorologist Jared Rackley.
“Definitely, we’ll see some snow falling, but the ground is kind of warm,” Rackley said. “It is not going to accumulate that quickly at all.”
He noted the higher-elevation areas under the advisory could see some slick roads overnight.
“It is not a substantial amount of snow, but enough that it might make travel difficult,” he said.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the higher terrain south and east of Pittsburgh for tonight through 6am Saturday, where 2-5" of snow may fall after a cold front passes.
Find more details for your location here: https://t.co/cxojC57G75 pic.twitter.com/sZV8DvqSXZ
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) March 10, 2023
Heading into Saturday, temperatures are forecast to start out just below freezing and warm up slightly to the mid-to-upper 30s by afternoon.
“Some of those highest ridge towns might remain at or right below freezing through the day, but we are in March now, so the sun has some power to melt anything that is on the ground,” Rackley said. “There could be some lingering light snow showers in the early morning after dawn, but it should be tapering off pretty quickly after that.”
Julia Maruca is a TribLive reporter covering health and the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She joined the Trib in 2022 after working at the Butler Eagle covering southwestern Butler County. She can be reached at jmaruca@triblive.com.
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