Weather

LIVE UPDATES: Second round of wintry weather brings rain, freezing rain, snow

By Scott Harbaugh, WPXI-TV
By Scott Harbaugh, WPXI-TV

PITTSBURGH — Freezing rain and rain are heading out. Bitter wind chills are moving in.

UPDATE 11:37 a.m.: Snow showers are moving through the area. Areas of freezing drizzle are also possible.

UPDATE 6:10 a.m.: The winter storm warning that was in effect for the area has been cancelled. An ice storm warning remains in effect for Cambria, Garrett and Somerset counties.

UPDATE 5:40 a.m.: Freezing rain and rain are heading out. Bitter wind chills are moving in.

Overnight rain and freezing rain have left a coating of ice on many trees and powerlines. Power outages are still possible this morning as temperatures plunge back into the 20s.

Winds will gust to 30 mph at times Tuesday, sending wind chills into the single digits during the afternoon.

Wednesday will be a quiet day before our next round of winter weather rolls in for Thursday. Many areas will see accumulating snow Thursday.

Stay with Severe Weather Team 11 as we update the timing of the snow’s arrival and how much you will have in your driveway by Thursday evening.

UPDATE 5:30 a.m.: Speed limit restrictions on roadways in the region have been lifted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

UPDATE 4 a.m.: Ice is the biggest concern Tuesday morning for the Port Authority’s light rail service.

Tracks could be coated, and cables could potentially be pulled down by the weight of ice.

A Port Authority spokesperson said crews would be working throughout the night to fix icing problems on the T system.

On Monday night, riders were forced to wait at the Washington Junction in Bethel Park. Their trip to Beechview was delayed after ice formed on the overhead lines.

A shuttle bus was brought in to help get riders between South Hills Junction and Overbook.

There were also delays on the red line in the Mount Lebanon area.

As of 4 a.m. Tuesday, light rail service appeared to be operating at a normal rate.

UPDATE 10:45 p.m.: Save some time to scrape your windshield early Tuesday, as a wintry mix of freezing rain continues off and on overnight. Untreated surfaces will be icy, and even treated surfaces that are not heavily traveled could be icy as well.

Colder air will sweep in through the morning, pushing temperatures into the 20s through the day. Winds will also pick up, making it feel even colder.

Temperatures will crash into the single digits overnight, so wet roads and sidewalks will turn icy again early Wednesday.

Severe Weather Team 11 is also tracking another wintry system set to move in Thursday, bringing more snow and wintry mix.

Freezing rain causing icy conditions across Pittsburgh area Freezing rain causing icy conditions across Pittsburgh area

UPDATE 10:25 p.m.: There are more than 1,300 Duquesne Light without power -- 532 of them in Bellevue.

First Energy is reporting 1,199 outages, mostly in Greene County.

UPDATE 9 p.m.: The city of Pittsburgh reminded residents of the restrictions implemented by PennDOT during these icy conditions.

UPDATE 8:40 p.m.: Port Authority confirmed a trolley car got stuck on the tracks on Broadway Avenue in Beechview because the overhead lines are getting icy.

The car was moving again within about 15 minutes, but you can see sparks flying in the air.

Officials told us they anticipate having similar issues throughout the night.

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Snow moves back into the area this evening, changing to sleet and freezing rain for many areas from I-70 north. Travel will be difficult, and freezing rain will create dangerous conditions where it falls.

Areas north of Pittsburgh will see more snow before changing to a wintry mix tonight.

A transition to rain is also possible as temperatures slowly climb this evening; however, ground temperatures will still be cold enough for icy spots.

Trees and power lines may become ice covered in some areas, leading to power outages.

UPDATE 8 p.m.: Due to the winter weather, PennDOT announced more Tier 1 vehicle restrictions on interstates and highways, effective now:

  • The entire length of Route 22
  • The entire length of Route 33
  • The entire length of Interstate 70
  • The entire length of Interstate 78
  • Interstate 80 from Route 11/15 to the New Jersey border
  • The entire length of Interstate 81
  • The entire length of Interstate 83
  • The entire length of Interstate 84
  • Interstate 99 from the PA Turnpike to Interstate 80
  • The entire length of Interstate 180
  • The entire length of Interstate 380

UPDATE 7:15 p.m.: We have had about two consecutive hours of freezing rain in the Pittsburgh area.

Elevated surfaces are iced over, so driving conditions will be very difficult over the next few hours.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: PennDOT is now reducing speed limits to 45 miles per hour on multiple major roadways.

Allegheny County

  • Interstates 79, 376 (Parkways East and West), 279 (Parkway North), and 579
  • State Route 28

Beaver County

  • Interstate 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway)

Lawrence County

  • Interstates 79 and 376
  • State Route 422

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: The freezing rain is starting to mix in with snow in western Pa., creating slippery conditions on roadways throughout the region.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: Freezing rain is starting to fall across the area, including Beaver and Washington counties.

It will move north into Allegheny soon.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: A teen fell through the ice into Lake Elizabeth while playing hockey with his friends -- near Allegheny General Hospital.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: Earlier today, snow plows were out in force at the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Crews have been preparing in advance and coordinating snow and ice removal with the airlines. They’re taking no chances after the Delta flight slid off a taxiway and almost into a ravine last week.

The FAA is investigating that accident to determine what caused the plane to skid off the runway -- and if snow removal could have been an issue.

There have been a few canceled or delayed flights Monday, mostly because of weather in other parts of the country -- like Texas.

You can check your flight status HERE.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: The winter storm has crossed into Pennsylvania. It will quickly move through the region over the next several hours.

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: Severe Weather Team 11 provided a few things you should know about ice, as the winter storm fast approaches:

  • One-half inch of ice on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight
  • Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times
  • One-quarter to one-half inch of ice can start to damage trees and power lines
  • High winds can cause power lines to sway, furthering the problem

UPDATE 3:00 p.m.: Snow moves back into the area this evening, changing to sleet and freezing rain for many areas from I-70 north. Travel will be difficult, and freezing rain will create dangerous conditions where it falls. Areas north of Pittsburgh will see more snow before changing to a wintry mix tonight.

A transition to rain is also possible as temperatures slowly climb this evening, however, ground temperatures will still be cold enough for icy spots. Trees and power lines may become ice covered in some areas, leading to power outages.

Charge portable devices and stay with Severe Weather Team 11 and Chanel 11 News for the latest.

UPDATE 1:55 p.m.: Speed reductions on some area roads have been lifted.

UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: Allegheny County Public Works deployed 27 salt trucks at midnight Monday. The snow accumulation across the county was on the lower end of predictions. Crews did not receive any reports this morning of problem areas on the roadways in which the county is responsible.

With more snow and ice on the way, Allegheny County Public Works will continue to have at least 27 salt trucks out on county roads and bridges until the storm ends tomorrow. If needed, more drivers will be brought in to make sure there is complete coverage of the roadways.

During the freezing rain, crews will be laying down salt covered with liquid calcium chloride to manage the possible ice accumulation.

It takes crews between one and two hours to complete their routes and another hour to return to the garage to refill with salt. People are encouraged to stay home, if possible.

If you need to be on the road, plan extra time for your commute and leave enough room for salt truck drivers.

UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is urging Pennsylvanians to be aware of winter weather and avoid travel.

The snow and ice could make for treacherous travel, especially this evening and overnight. As a result, Gov. Wolf is asking people to consider avoiding or reducing their travel.

“Safety is paramount during these ongoing winter storms,” Gov. Wolf said. “State agencies, including PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and local municipalities are working to prepare roads and clear snow and melt ice to allow for necessary travel, but the more we stay off the roads, the easier their jobs will be and the safer we will make our state.”

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: Pittsburgh officials said public works is “adequately staffed” with enough salt.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: We’re starting to get a look at some of the snow totals across the area after round one.


UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: Interstate 79 northbound remains closed between Route 422 in New Castle to Route 108 in Slippery Rock.

The 7-mile stretch of the highway is closed because a tractor-trailer jackknifed earlier in the morning.

No one was hurt.

Pennsylvania State Police are at the scene. PennDOT crews are also there to help with traffic control.

A tow truck is being brought in to remove the tractor-trailer from the roadway.

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has temporarily reduced the speed limit on Interstate 80 from the Ohio state line through Clearfield County.

PennDOT is urging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph.

UPDATE 10:45 a.m.: In just a few hours, precipitation in Pittsburgh’s North Side went from nothing to freezing drizzle and then snow.

As the snow picked up, it began sticking to sidewalks and streets. There were whiteout conditions at times.

People walking and driving quickly noticed the changing conditions, which slowed things down.

“The roads are kind of sketchy. I was actually supposed to have a meeting in the office downtown, but we actually opted to cancel that. Obviously, it’s a little treacherous for people who have to travel,” Letha Mills, who lives in the North Side, said.

The city of Pittsburgh said its crews are prepared with roughly 70 trucks that will be out salting and plowing throughout the day.

Allegheny County has more than 25 trucks deployed.

UPDATE 10:20 a.m.: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in the region.

PennDOT is urging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

Allegheny County

  • Interstates 79, 376 (Parkways East and West), 279 (Parkway North), and 579
  • State Route 28

Beaver County

  • Interstate 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway)

Lawrence County

  • Interstates 79 and 376
  • State Route 422

UPDATE 10:05 a.m.: Interstate 79 northbound is closed between exit 99 (US 422 - NEW CASTLE/BUTLER) to exit 105 (PA 108 - SLIPPERY ROCK), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: Road conditions are deteriorating as snow picks up across the area.

UPDATE 8:40 a.m.: There are heavy delays on Interstate 79 southbound coming from Warrendale after an accident involving a car that spun into the median. There is also a jackknifed tractor-trailer.

ORIGINAL STORY: Snow, freezing rain and plain rain -- it will be a kitchen sink event with something for everyone through early Tuesday morning.

A winter storm warning is in effect for much of the area until 1 p.m. Tuesday. The warning is in effect for the combination of ice and snow that will come in two different rounds.

A winter weather advisory will go into effect at the same time for Monongalia, Preston and Fayette counties.

Snow will start early Monday morning. There could be a band of moderate to heavy snow that sets up through the area, which will limit visibility and make driving dangerous as snow sticks to untreated surfaces. Overall, up to two inches of snow will be possible by noon Monday.

If you want to receive alerts about weather, download our Severe Weather Team 11 app.

There will be isolated spots of snow Monday afternoon, but the second round of steadier snowfall will start Monday evening. Snow will mix with freezing rain or sleet.

Right now, the heaviest snow totals will fall across our northwest counties, with lesser amounts in our far southeast counties. Significant icing will be possible over Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Butler, Armstrong and Indiana counties, encasing trees and powerlines.

Continue to check in with Severe Weather Team 11 as the forecast evolves.

Team Coverage of conditions as winter storm moves into western Pa. Team Coverage of conditions as winter storm moves into western Pa.

Cox Media Group

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