Pittsburgh Winter Storm Aftermath: Cleanup Will Take Time

PITTSBURGH, PA — The snow has stopped and the winter storm warning for southwestern Pennsylvania has expired. Now for the difficult part: Cleaning up after the fifth-largest December snowfall since records began being kept in the 1800s.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto tweeted early this morning that the storm passed Pittsburgh at 3:20 a.m. He said crews will be treating city streets around the clock Thursday.

"Roads will require multiple plowing and salting," Peduto said. "Please give our crews 24 hours to complete over 1,500 miles (of roads)."

Peduto said snowfall in the city ranged from nine to 13 inches from the storm that arrived shortly before noon on Wednesday. The official total for the day, measured at Pittsburgh International Airport, was 9.3 inches - the most snow recorded for a December day this century and the most since World War II.

No major additions to that total are expected Thursday. The weather service calls for a slight chance of snow showers and freezing drizzle before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Total daytime snow accumulation will be less than half an inch. The high temperature Thursday will be near 34.

The lack of significant additional accumulations should make it easier to clear the roads. City residents can track the location of public works trucks and see if their street has been treated by clicking on the link.

Outside of the city, there often is confusion about whether treating streets is the responsibility of Allegheny County or a local municipality. Click here to find out who is responsible for clearing streets in suburban locations.

Although many roads in the area remain snow-covered and treacherous, PennDOT has lifted the speed limit restrictions that were in place on several state roadways in the region. Speed limits were reduced yesterday to 45 mph on all interstates and several other routes in the region. All speeds are restored to their usual posted limits.

A PennDOT spokesman said the department is continuing to treat roadways in the area.

Most school districts that have in-person instruction are either closed or delayed. Many senior centers and day care facilities are closed or have different operating hours, and many Meals on Wheels deliveries will not be made today because of the inclement weather.

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