Heavy Rain, Snow, Ice To Pummel Pittsburgh, Western PA

PITTSBURGH, PA — A complex winter storm will deliver heavy rain to the Pittsburgh area overnight, snow and ice north of the city and a significant ice storm east of the city. The impending storm has caused PennDOT and the Pennsyvlania Turnpike to issue road restrictions throughout the entire state.

The National Weather Service says as much as 1.5 inches of rain could fall in the Pittsburgh metro area until 7 p.m. Friday. A flood advisory has been issued for the Ohio River at Pittsburgh and could result in the closure of the Monongahela Wharf, Downtown.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Butler County until 10 a.m. on Friday. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to 3 inches and ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch. Counties north of Butler also are under an advisory.

In portions of Westmoreland County including Ligonier and Donegal, and to areas further east, an ice storm warning is in effect until 7 a.m. on Friday. As much as four-tenths of an inch of ice could accumulate; power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice and travel could be nearly impossible.

As the storm approaches, PennDOT and the turnpike commission have issued road restrictions and barred the following vehicles from the affected roadways:

• Tractors without trailers;
• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers;
• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;
• Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV;
• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;
• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes;
• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches not carrying chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATD’s); and
• Motorcycles.

The restrictions will go into effect at the following times:

Thursday, 7 p.m.

• PA Turnpike I-76 (Mainline) from New Stanton (Exit 75) to Breezewood (Exit 161).

• The entire length of Interstate 99.

Friday, 10 p.m.

• I-80 from I-99 to the Ohio border; and
• I-79 from I-80 to I-90.

Midnight

• U.S. 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border;
• The entire length of I-78;
• I-80 from I-99 to the New Jersey border;
• I-81 from I-78 to the New York border;
• The entire length of I-84;
• The entire length of I-180;
• The entire length of I-380; and
• The entire length of Route 33.

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