Pittsburgh Cold Snap Reaches Historic Levels

PITTSBURGH, PA — If you think this has been one of the most severe winters in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in many years, you are correct - and statistics from the National Weather Service confirm it.

The weather service on Monday released information that clearly states the region is going through its worst winter in decades. Take a look at these numbers:

• As of Feb. 8, there have been 17 consecutive days of temperatures below freezing. That's the longest streak since 2003 and is tied for the 12th-most of all time.

• This is the coldest 25-day stretch of cold weather since 1979, with the average temperature topping out at 15.

• There have been 25 consecutive days where the minimum temperature has been 15 degrees or lower. That's the most since 1981 and tied for the second-most of all time.

• There have 14 consecutive days with snow depths of seven or more inches, the longest stretch since 2010.

• This has been the coldest start to a year since 1994, with the temperature averaging 21.9 degrees.

Thankfully, relief is on the way and will arrive as soon as tomorrow.

Temperatures are expected to finally climb above freezing on Tuesday, with an expected high of 47. After many recent nights where the low is near or below zero, the low Tuesday night is anticipated to be 28.

High temperatures for the remainder of the week are expected to be above or near freezing.