Deep freeze descends on Mon Valley
Warming shelters are open as dangerously cold temperatures remain in the forecast for today.
A blast of Arctic air moved into Southwestern Pennsylvania on Monday, bringing bitter cold and dangerous wind chills that are expected to stick around through today.
The National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory for Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland and Fayette counties. The advisory took effect at 9 p.m. Monday and remains in place until noon today.
As the cold front passed through, wind chills dropped fast. In Washington County, temperatures that felt like about 7 degrees early Monday fell to around 1 below zero by midday and roughly 8 below by the evening.
The coldest conditions were expected overnight into this morning, with wind chills forecast to dip to between 11 and 12 below zero before slowly improving.
In the Pittsburgh area, wind chills were expected to bottom out near 10 below zero Monday night, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Brudy. Higher elevations and areas closer to Interstate 80 were expected to feel even colder, with wind chills between 15 and 20 below zero.
Actual temperatures were well below normal. Monday’s high reached about 27 degrees, compared with an average high of 36. Overnight lows were expected to drop to around 7 degrees, far colder than the normal low of 21. While the cold was extreme, the record low of 22 below zero set in 1994 was expected to hold.
The cold won’t be letting up much today. Wind chills were forecast to stay below zero through the morning, with afternoon highs only climbing into the teens. Even then, it was expected to feel like just a few degrees above zero at best.
The frigid weather led to delays and cancellations across the region. Several school districts announced closures or remote learning plans. The Belle Vernon Area, California Area, Charleroi Area, Elizabeth Forward, South Allegheny, Clairton and McKeesport school districts are closed today and will operate on flexible instruction days.
Charleroi Area Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich said a celebration planned with third-grade students during tonight’s school board meeting will be held instead at the next regular meeting Feb. 17. School directors will still meet tonight as scheduled.
Some community services were also affected. Bethel- St. Clair Meals on Wheels will be closed this morning, according to news partner WTAE.
To help residents stay warm, the City of Pittsburgh will open five Healthy Active Living Centers as warming centers from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Locations are Beechview on Broadway Avenue, Greenfield on Greenfield Avenue, Homewood on Frankstown Road, Sheraden on Sherwood Avenue, and the South Side Market House at 12th and Bingham streets.
Outside the city, the Charleroi Fire Department is available as a warming center as needed through Thursday. Residents can call 724-4837311 for more information. People can also dial 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898211 to find nearby warming centers and other local resources.
West Mifflin Emergency Management has coordinated with the borough’s volunteer fire departments to serve as warming centers if needed. They are Homeville Volunteer Fire Company, Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Company, West Mifflin #3 Volunteer Fire Company and Skyview Volunteer Fire Company.
Residents in need of a warming center between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. are asked to contact the West Mifflin Police Department at 412461-3125 or West Mifflin Emergency Management at 412-913-7683.
White Oak police Chief Jason Binder said the area does not have any known warming centers for the next few days. He encourages residents to go to McKeesport area warming centers.
Emergency officials urge residents to take the cold seriously and prepare ahead of time. The Federal Emergency Management Agency encouraged people to focus on the “four Ps” — people, pets, pipes and plants.
That means dressing in warm layers, wearing waterproof outerwear, hats and mittens and covering exposed skin. Wet clothing should be changed right away, and time outdoors should be kept to a minimum.
Residents are also reminded to watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, including numbness, pale skin, heavy shivering, confusion and extreme fatigue. FEMA recommends staying home when possible and being ready for power outages with several days of food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries and a weather radio.
Heating safety is also critical during extreme cold. Grills, camp stoves and ovens should never be used indoors because of fire and carbon monoxide risks. Space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything flammable, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked to make sure they’re working.
Homeowners are encouraged to seal drafts, insulate exposed pipes and allow faucets to drip during the coldest periods to prevent freezing.
Temperatures are expected to slowly moderate later this week.
