Oh, snow! Southwestern Pa. could see first snowfall of season this weekend
Region could see first snowfall of season this weekend
Southwestern Pennsylvania residents can expect a significant drop in temperatures this weekend, with rain, scattered snow showers and potentially chilly wind chills ushering the region’s first real taste of winter weather.
A low pressure system moving through the region will bring periods of rain Thursday before a cold front pushes colder air into the area heading into Friday and Saturday, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Jason Frazier.
As the system moves toward the East Coast, lingering moisture and colder temperatures could produce scattered rain and snow showers, particularly Friday into Saturday morning.
Frazier noted significant snow accumulation is not expected.
“For those who are wanting a good early snowfall accumulation, that’s not going to be expected with this,” he said, “due to a combination of not having enough precipitation and not enough cold air.”
Most of the snow will likely amount to little more than flurries, melting shortly after reaching the ground.
Some isolated accumulation could occur in the higher elevations east of Uniontown, where around an inch of snow may fall overnight. Even there, any accumulation is expected to melt during the daytime hours.
However, the arrival of colder temperatures is expected this weekend.
After experiencing above-normal temperatures earlier in the week, Southwestern Pennsylvania will see highs fall into the lower 40s in the lower elevations and upper 30s in higher elevations Friday and Saturday, Frazier said.
“There will be some windy periods, especially during the morning hours where wind chills will maybe drop down into the lower 20s,” he said.
Frazier noted area residents should prepare for a noticeable change in conditions as the region experiences its first real reminder that winter is coming.
However the cold is not expected to stick around for too long, with the weather returning to more seasonal temperatures next week.
“The temperatures are expected to slowly rise beginning on Sunday,” Frazier said, “with temperatures returning to normal temperature expected for the middle of November.”