Season's 1st winter snowfall headed to Western Pennsylvania

Just when it seemed like the region was headed for the winter that wasn’t, the first significant snowfall of the season is expected to arrive later this week.

Up to 2-3 inches of accumulation is predicted for Thursday, with 4-6 inches in the higher elevations, according to meteorologist Pat Herald of the National Weather Service office in Moon.

“The main story is the approach of low pressure on Thursday, which is expected to bring snowfall to the Pittsburgh area and the surrounding areas,” he said.

The snow is expected to begin late Thursday afternoon and continue into the evening.

“What we’re under now is what we consider a progressive weather pattern, which is west to east winds aloft,” Herald said. “What that does is bring fast-moving disturbances and highly variable weather to the region.”

Snowfall up to this point has been negligible with an official measurement of just 1.8 inches total at Pittsburgh International Airport. Thursday’s accumulation alone will likely double this season’s snowfall total so far, but it’s well behind the pace of a normal winter, said Herald.

“Overall, we’re about 10 inches below average.”

As for the kind of snow headed for the region, Herald says it will be on the fluffy side as opposed to the heavy, wet variety, thanks to a drastic dip in temperatures.

The low temperature Friday morning will be in the upper teens with the high only expected to reach the mid-20s. Up to now, residents have been relatively spoiled by unseasonably warm weather during the holidays.

“This is seasonal weather for this time of year,” said Herald.