More snow on way for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day
Karen Mansfield
The last day of 2025 will bring accumulating snowfall to portions of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and New Year’s revelers will ring in 2026 with snow and cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a winter weather advisory for much of the area from 1 p.m. Wednesday through 10 a.m. Thursday, and a winter storm warning has been issued for parts of Fayette County. A total of 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties, and as much as 9 inches of snow is possible in the upper elevations of Fayette County.
The peak window for hazardous travel is roughly 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., according to NWS Pittsburgh, which coincides with many people heading to or returning from celebrations.
NWS Pittsburgh said on a Facebook post that squall conditions likely will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes, and that travel could be “very difficult.”
“We’re expecting light snow showers throughout the day, with a brief break in the afternoon and snow will pick up again later,” said Adam Kienzle, meteorologist at the NWS Pittsburgh.
He said a band of heavy snowfall could move through Washington County between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m., “which is not good timing because that’s when people will be moving about with New Year’s Eve plans.”
He advised those with New Year’s Eve plans to “keep an eye on the weather and don’t head out driving when that squall is moving through.”
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511.
The snow comes after significant snowfall on Tuesday, when accumulations of 8 ½ inches were reported in Canonsburg and 9 inches in Eighty Four, part of a system that dumped 10 inches of snow in Jefferson County, Ohio.
“There was a persistent band of snowfall that really dumped snow from about 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, so there was a good 8 hours of snow in those areas,” said Kienzle.
The weather service advised people heading out to ring in 2026 to “please ensure your plans include a safe – and sober – ride that is equipped for winter conditions.”
For New Year’s Day, temperature will be in the 20s – although it will feel like it’s in the teens – and there will be some sunshine in the afternoon.
With one day to go and more snowfall in the forecast, Pittsburgh is sitting at the 15th snowiest December on record, with 14.9 inches of snow through Dec. 30th.
The region would need 2.3 inches to fall before midnight to move to 10th place overall, according to NWS Pittsburgh. The snowiest December on record was in 1890, when 41.8 inches of snow was recorded. More recently, 27.5 inches of snow in December 2020, helped by two days that totaled over 6 inches themselves.