When Can Pittsburgh Expect To See Snow?

PITTSBURGH, PA - Until the past few days, it’s been an unusually warm autumn thus far in Pittsburgh. So you’ve probably put off wondering when the inevitable will occur and snow will fall in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Although there’s no immediate risk of nature’s dandruff falling anytime soon, Pittsburgh has seen snow this early in the fall. In fact, Wednesday marks the 45th anniversary of the earliest accumulation on record here: 1.8 inches fell on Oct. 18, 1972, according to National Weather Service records.

Typically, 0.4 inches of snow falls in Pittsburgh during October, although there have been occasions when more than that has fallen on Oct. 31 and we’ve had a White Halloween. As recently as 2011, 1.8 inches of snow fell, making trick-or-treating slippery; in 1993, the ghouls and goblins needed boots when Pittsburgh received 6.6 inches.

So when will Pittsburgh finally see the white stuff? Forecasters have differing opinions:

• AccuWeather doesn’t mention snow in its long-range forecast until Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, with snow at times expected on Black Friday, Nov. 24.

• The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts rain followed by snow showers between Nov. 12 and 17 and then snowy periods between Nov. 18 and 24.

• Neither the National Weather Service nor The Weather Channel have issued daily Pittsburgh forecasts for November yet, but predict near or slightly above average temperatures for the month. By the end of November, normal highs are in the mid-40s while lows are in the upper 20s.

Photo: Associated Press.