Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper's Winter Weather Forecast

PITTSBURGH — This year WPXI-TV Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper is forecasting above-average snowfall for the months of December through March.

Cropper predicts 41.5 inches of snow during that period – about 3 more than the average.

Cropper said Pittsburgh will get about three dozen accumulating snow events this year – the kind you'll need a shovel to clean up.

Cropper is also looking ahead to big temperature swings – bitter cold shots followed by winter warm-ups, and that means a number of rain showers and wintry mixes this winter season.

Month by month:

December:

December will start on a mild note, but quick shots of cold air will help snow totals jump to 10 inches.

January:

January will also include mild spells, but by the middle of the month, Cropper is forecasting arctic cold.  You'll need the shovels and snow blowers as a foot of snow is in the forecast.

February:

February will be the coldest month of the season and another snowy one, too. Cropper is forecasting 12 or more inches. 

March:

By March, Pittsburgh will see a shift to spring, but cold air will be tough to move out. That means another 8 inches of snow is in the forecast.  The roller coaster ride of temperatures will set up the recipe for a few more ice or freezing rain storms as well.