Jan 3, 2008 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

A thick blanket of snow covered part of the region Wednesday after steady snow Tuesday night and Wednesday morning closed some area schools and hampered travel.

Fayette County 911 reported numerous disabled vehicles and minor collisions across the county. According to Susan Kozak-Griffith, public information officer for Fayette County 911, road crews worked throughout the night to try and keep roads clear of blowing and drifting snow as the snow began to pile up.

Valerie Petersen, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation District 12 in Uniontown, said that the storm was typical for the region, with more snow falling in the Laurel Mountains and only a few inches falling in the river valleys.

“We had a few fender-benders but our crews got an early start treating roads and just put more people on as they needed them,” Petersen said.

She said that some drifting snow was reported in several areas across Fayette County but noted that crews were continuing to clear roads throughout the day Wednesday.

Uniontown Area School District and Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy were forced to close because of poor road conditions.

According to Jason Craig, spokesman for Greene County Emergency Management Agency, the county received about an inch of snow and caused no traffic problems.

Washington County officials reported around two inches of snow fell overnight, with a few minor weather-related accidents.

Bob Reed, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, said Fayette County received heavier snowfall totals than Washington, Westmoreland and Greene counties, with 15 inches reported in Farmington and several areas around Uniontown reporting 10 inches of snow.

Reed said that the region is near average snowfall totals for the season so far, with 10 inches of snow reported in Pittsburgh, just one inch below the seasonal average.

According to Reed, snow showers are not likely today but temperatures will remain in the mid-20s.