NYE storm drops up to 5 inches of snow across region

Dry air is expected through the weekend with warmer temperatures predicted for next week.

By the MVI

The new year rang in with high winds and heavy snow that put a damper on New Year’s Eve festivities around the Valley and the First Night turnout in Pittsburgh.

While sunshine returned Thursday morning to kick off 2026, a round of isolated, light snow was expected late Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Pittsburgh police said there were no issues during the First Night celebration as there were light crowds, likely because of the weather, according to Cara Cruz, public safety spokeswoman.

At the National Weather Service station in Moon, the official measurement was 5 inches of snow.

“Closer to the city center of Pittsburgh, we had about three-and-a-half inches,” said NWS Meteorologist Adam Kienzel. “Across the region we got a range of 3 to 5 inches.”

A weak wave of energy was expected to brush over the Great Lakes on Thursday night and into early today, increasing the chance for scattered light snow showers in the region.

Snow is expected to be light, with a coating to a halfinch, but a light coating on the roads could create some impacts for today’s morning commute.

Winds are expected to die down as we head into the weekend. Some peeks of sunshine are expected.

Those going to the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Sunday night will need to bundle up, but no snow is expected.

Temperatures will finally break freezing to start the first full week of 2026.