Up to 6 inches of snow blankets the Mon Valley

The storm was followed by bitter cold, but a warmup is in the forecast for later this week.

Snow from a weekend winter storm tapered off early Sunday morning, but not before dropping several inches across the Mon Valley. Forecasters said the bigger concern following the weekend snowfall was the bitter cold settling in behind it.

Sunday morning began with light traffic on plowed roads as residents across the Mon Valley started clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways. By mid-morning, activity increased in residential neighborhoods as people bundled up to dig out. Community social media groups filled with offers of snow removal assistance, children went door to door offering to shovel, and in Donora, police officers on patrol stopped to help residents along their routes.

That same spirit was evident Saturday during the height of the snowfall. The Fallowfield Volunteer Fire Company said that while responding to a medical call, crews remained on scene after the call concluded to help clear snow from the property.

“Community service is what it’s all about,” the department wrote in a social media post. “When responding to a medical incident, the crew spent a little extra time on scene to shovel the driveway of the home to ensure a safe passage to and from the house for when the homeowner returned home.”

The storm also disrupted weekend business across the region. Some locally owned shops and restaurants closed entirely on Saturday as snow moved in, while others shut their doors early in anticipation of worsening conditions. Several businesses used social media to notify customers of adjusted hours, citing safety concerns for employees and hazardous travel conditions.

Motorists and residents across the region reported seeing multiple crashes while traveling Saturday, sharing accounts and photos in local social media groups as conditions deteriorated. On Sunday, the Rostraver Township Fire Department responded to a vehicle accident near Cedarbrook Golf Course and The Clubhouse Grille along Route 981. One patient was evaluated at the scene by Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services, and no further information was immediately released before press time.

Widespread light snow ended overnight Sunday, with most areas picking up between 3 and 5 inches. South of Interstate 70, some locations saw higher totals where snow bands lingered longer. A winter storm warning remained in effect through 1 p.m. Sunday for Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette, Westmoreland, Monongalia, Preston and Garrett counties, while a winter weather advisory covered Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Forest, Indiana, Lawrence, Venango and parts of Garrett counties.

Snowfall totals from Saturday’s storm varied across the Mon Valley, with higher amounts north and east of the Monongahela River and increasing farther south into Fayette County, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Totals ranged from about 3.5 inches in parts of Washington County to 6 inches in river communities in Allegheny County, with 5 to 6 inches common in Westmoreland County and up to 8 inches reported in Fayette County’s higher elevations.

While the snow ended, meteorologists warned that a blast of arctic air would follow. Temperatures started Sunday morning in the low teens, with wind chills near zero. Afternoon highs reached around 20 degrees, with wind chills remaining in the low teens.

Those temperatures are well below seasonal norms. According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, average mid-December highs typically reach the mid to upper 30s, with overnight lows in the mid-20s. Forecast highs near 20 degrees on Sunday and today, along with overnight lows in the teens, are roughly 15 to 20 degrees colder than normal. The NWS said wind chills near zero Sunday morning and single-digit wind chills early today are more typical of late January conditions.

The cold is expected to continue into today, with morning temperatures in the mid-teens and afternoon highs in the low 20s. Wind chills are forecast to dip into the single digits early in the day.

In response to the dangerous cold, the city of Pittsburgh announced that five CitiParks Healthy Active Living Centers will be activated as warming centers today. The Beechview, Greenfield, Homewood, Sheraden and South Side HAL Senior Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. City recreation centers will also be open, with hours varying by location.

Locally, the Charleroi Fire Department said it prepared for the cold and lingering winter impacts by inspecting vehicles and stocking them with heat packs, salt and shovels. The department’s warming center was made available for anyone needing assistance. Residents can arrange accommodations by calling 724-483-7311 or sending a message through the department’s Facebook page. Officials also urged residents to stay home unless travel is essential and to check on family, friends and neighbors during the prolonged cold stretch.

Officials across the region advised anyone needing assistance to call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898-211 for real-time information on available resources.

Cold temperatures also affected school schedules across the region today. As of press time, the following school districts and schools within the coverage area announced two-hour delays: Avella, Belle Vernon, Bentworth, Beth-Center, Brownsville, California Area, Canon-McMillan, Charleroi Area, Elizabeth Forward, Ft. Cherry, Madonna Catholic, McGuffey, Mon Valley CTC, Monessen, Peters Township, Ringgold, South Fayette, St. Sebastian, Trinity, Washington and Yough.

Relief from the cold is expected to be gradual. Today’s forecast calls for cloudy conditions with a high near 22 degrees and a low around 15.

Looking ahead, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh said temperatures are expected to moderate through the week. Highs are forecast to climb into the low 30s by Tuesday, with readings reaching the upper 30s to low 40s by midweek. By late week, highs are expected to push into the 40s and possibly near 50, with no significant snow systems currently forecast for the region.