Another blast of winter on the way

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh is monitoring an incoming winter weather system that will bring snow and a chance for a wintry mix to the area.

But don’t worry. Although it’s cold outside, there’s still time to run to the store for milk, bread and eggs.

“A winter storm is likely to move through the area Saturday night through early next week with mixed precipitation, followed by rounds of lake enhanced snow showers,” NWS Pittsburgh in issuing a Hazardous Weather Outlook Friday evening.

The chances for snow are 70% tonight, 80% Sunday and 70% Sunday night and Monday. Some areas could see freezing rain as well.

NWS predictions as of Friday evening showed most of Allegheny, Fayette and Westmoreland counties will likely see 2 to 3 inches and parts of Washington County would likely see 3 to 4 inches. Accuweather predicted the Mon Valley would get 3 to 6 inches.

Pat Herald, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Moon, said the timing of the storm will determine the amount of snow accumulation for the area.

“There could be areas of heavy snow, most likely in the ridge areas. What happens with these is a low pressure system will spread warm air northward. What that does primarily is degrade snowfall efficiency,” Herald said. “So the system will start out as snow, then it becomes sleet and possibly freezing rain.”

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