Snow causes slippery morning commute

The first storm of the season made some area roads treacherous and left behind up to 5 inches of snow.

This year’s first real burst of winter arrived just after midnight and stayed through the early morning hours Tuesday, laying down a quick, slick coating across the Mon Valley.

Numerous traffic incidents were reported during Tuesday morning’s snowstorm, including this two-vehicle accident around 7 a.m. on Interstate 70 west near Exit 42A in Rostraver Township. No injuries were reported. Traffic was restricted to one lane while the scene was cleared. Rostraver Township Fire Department

Von Dawes of California shovels snow along a sidewalk on Union Street in California Borough on Tuesday. Jeff Helsel / MVI

PennWest California student Antwain Oliver rides his electric bicycle past the Manderino Library and the snow-covered Robert Eberly sculpture on Tuesday. Jeff Helsel / MVI

A snowman built by students sits near the main entrance of PennWest California on Tuesday morning. Jeff Helsel / MVI

By 8 a.m., the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh said the last of the heavier bands had moved east, and only light snow and flurries lingered.

The storm was out of the region by late morning, but its effects remained as crews continued clearing roads and officials warned of refreezing overnight.

Police and fire departments spent the morning handling the season’s first snow-related calls. Port Vue police posted a notice around 4 a.m. urging drivers to slow down, increase their following distance and expect delays.

Charleroi firefighters reported multiple incidents around 8 a.m.

Fire Chief Robert Whiten Jr. said Tuesday his department did not respond to any weather-related accidents.

Instead, firefighters assisted EMS crews by using their ATV to help paramedics reach medical calls and to transport patients safely to the ambulance on snow-covered roads.

They also helped free a large truck that became stuck while trying to navigate a borough street as snow came down.

Fallowfield Township crews responded to seven crashes between 7:30 and 9 a.m.

Fire Chief Anthony Fleming said all those accidents were minor and none resulted in injuries.

Rostraver Township firefighters responded to a crash on Interstate 70 near Exit 42A around 7 a.m., restricting westbound traffic to one lane until the scene was cleared. No injuries were reported.

Stockdale First Assistant Chief Adam Wilkinson said firefighters responded to one accident on Route 88 near Allenport Marina around 8:40 a.m. when a car slid off the road. No injuries were reported.

Plow operations continued across the region throughout the day, even after snow stopped falling.

Allegheny County Department of Public Works said its drivers were “out in full force” plowing and salting county- maintained roads.

Each run takes about two hours plus time to reload salt, meaning accumulation can still appear while crews make their rounds.

Officials urged drivers to give plow trucks plenty of space, call 911 for emergencies and use the county’s “Who Plows My Road” tool for non-emergency issues.

Snowfall totals across Southwestern Pennsylvania generally ranged between 3 and 4 inches.

Allegheny County saw widespread reports in that range, with Gibsonia and McCandless topping out at 4.5 inches and communities closer to Pittsburgh landing closer to 2 or 3. Fayette County recorded some of the highest totals, including 5 inches in Dunbar and around 3 to 4 inches in Brownsville, Point Marion, Farmington and Ohiopyle.

Washington County picked up between 3 and 5 inches, led by Venetia with 4.8 inches, while Monongahela and neighboring Mon Valley towns reported just over 3.

Westmoreland County communities largely fell between 3 and 4 inches, with slightly lower amounts closer to Latrobe.

Temperatures were expected to fall into the mid 20s overnight, creating the potential for refreezing on untreated roads.

The NWS in Pittsburgh calls for a high near 34 degrees today, along with a chance of light snow after 1 a.m.

Forecasters say any new accumulation should be minimal.

Another weak disturbance could bring scattered snow showers late today into Thursday, mainly north of the Pittsburgh area, but no significant accumulation is expected.