Pennsylvania Digs Out From Under Heavy Snowfall, Travel Disrupted
A powerful winter storm blanketed western Pennsylvania with significant snowfall on Saturday, December 13th, causing treacherous travel conditions and widespread disruptions. As of Sunday, December 14th, many communities are grappling with substantial accumulations, with some areas reporting over a foot of snow.
Widespread Impacts and Travel Woes
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the region, predicting 3-5 inches of snow for most areas, with the Laurel Highlands and locations south of Pittsburgh potentially receiving 5 to 8 inches. The storm delivered on that forecast, and then some. According to reports, crews worked tirelessly throughout Saturday evening to salt and plow roads, but the relentless snowfall proved challenging.
“I looked outside, I mean, holy –, the snow would not let up,” one resident recounted, highlighting the intensity of the storm.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) responded by lowering speed limits to 45 mph on Interstates 79 and 70, but driving remained hazardous. Public transportation was also significantly impacted, with delays reported across the region. The Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) experienced hour-long delays, and some buses were simply unable to complete their routes.
“There was a bus that we were supposed to take, but then it just didn’t come. It didn’t come,” a frustrated commuter shared, adding, “Downtown, dozens of riders were standing in the snow waiting for a ride. It’s just been delayed so much.”
Community Response and Preparations
Beyond travel disruptions, the storm prompted proactive measures from residents and organizations. In Canonsburg, the pastor at Grace Baptist Church canceled Sunday school in anticipation of hazardous conditions. “This side of the building does not get any sun at all, and so all this will turn to ice and it can get 3 to 4 inches thick,” he explained, emphasizing the need to clear snow to prevent dangerous ice buildup.
Many residents opted to stay home altogether, heeding PennDOT’s advice to avoid unnecessary travel. Public works departments are aiming to clear all snow within 24 hours of the last snowflake, with residents encouraged to contact 311 for assistance after that timeframe.
Snowfall Totals Across Western Pennsylvania
The National Weather Service compiled the following snowfall totals as of Saturday evening. These numbers are subject to change as the storm continues to move through the region:
Allegheny County:
- White Oak – 8.0″
- Baldwin – 7.8″
- Dormont – 7.0″
- South Park Township – 6.8″
- North Churchill – 6.8″
- Mount Lebanon – 6.8″
- Imperial-Enlow – 6.5″
- Versailles – 6.5″
- Pennsbury Villa – 6.5″
- Robinson Township – 6.5″
- Pleasant Hills – 6.5″
- Springdale – 6.5″
- Upper Saint Clair – 6.5″
- Ross Township – 6.5″
- Pittsburgh – 6.4″
- Jefferson – 6.3″
- Lawrenceville – 6.3″
- Municipality of – 6.3″
- Imperial-Enlow – 6.3″
- Brentwood – 6.3″
- Kennedy Township – 6.2″
- Pleasant Hills – 6.0″
- Bridgeville – 6.0″
- Elizabeth – 6.0″
- Ross Township – 6.0″
- West Homestead – 6.0″
- Mcdonald – 6.0″
- Bridgeville – 6.0″
- Mount Oliver – 6.0″
- South Park Township – 6.0″
- Pittsburgh – 6.0″
- Shaler Township – 6.0″
- Pittsburgh – 6.0″
- Castle Shannon – 6.0″
- Hampton Township – 6.0″
- Plum – 6.0″
- Oakdale – 6.0″
- Acmetonia – 6.0″
- Shaler Township – 6.0″
- Crafton – 6.0″
- Municipality of – 6.0″
- Russellton – 5.8″
- McCandless Township – 5.8″
- Upper Saint Clair – 5.8″
- Pitcairn – 5.7″
- South Fayette – 5.6″
- Pittsburgh – 5.5″
- Castle Shannon – 5.5″
- Pittsburgh – 5.5″
- Carnot-Moon – 5.4″
- Carnot-Moon – 5.4″
- Moon – 5.4″
- Hampton Township – 5.3″
- Mccandless Township – 5.2″
- Mount Lebanon – 5.0″
- Dormont – 5.0″
- Penn Hills – 5.0″
- Bethel Park – 5.0″
- Bellevue – 5.0″
- Imperial-Enlow – 4.8″
- Shaler Township – 4.8″
- Aspinwall – 4.7″
- Forest Hills – 4.7″
- Harrison Township – 4.5″
- Mount Oliver – 4.5″
- Curtisville – 4.5″
- Edgewood – 4.5″
- Braddock Lock And Dam – 4.5″
- Harrison Township – 4.3″
- Wexford – 4.2″
- Wexford – 4.1″
- Gibsonia – 4.0″
- Harrison Township – 3.0″
- Brackenridge – 3.0″
- Freeport – 3.0″
Armstrong County:
- Orchard Hills – 6.0″
- Shelocta – 4.8″
- Kittanning – 4.5″
- Freeport – 4.5″
- Ford City – 4.0″
- Lenape Heights – 3.9″
- Kittanning – 3.5″
- Dayton – 2.0″
Beaver County:
- Harshaville – 6.0″
- Economy – 6.0″
- West Mayfield – 5.3″
- Aliquippa – 5.0″
- Beaver – 4.5″
- Beaver – 4.4″
- Beaver – 4.1″
- Eastvale – 4.0″
- Aliquippa – 3.3″
- Ohioville – 2.5″
Butler County:
- Fernway – 5.3″
- Meadowood – 5.2″
- Zelienople – 5.0″
- Chicora – 5.0″
- Shanor-Northvue – 5.0″
- Mars – 5.0″
- Harmony – 4.6″
- Harrisville – 4.5″
- Nixon – 4.5″
- Cabot – 4.5″
- Meridian – 4.5″
- Nixon – 4.5″
- Saxonburg – 4.0″
- West Sunbury – 4.0″
- Freeport – 4.0″
- Homeacre-Lyndo – 4.0″
- Fox Run – 3.9″
- Sarver – 3.5″
Clarion County:
- South Bethlehem – 4.2″
- Shippenville – 2.5″
- Clarion – 2.3″
Fayette County:
- Champion – 11.0″
- Donegal – 11.0″
- Ohiopyle – 10.5″
- Ohiopyle – 10.0″
- Ohiopyle – 8.1″
- Connellsville – 8.0″
- Markleysburg – 8.0″
- Hopwood – 7.0″
- South Connellsville – 7.0″
- Hopwood – 7.0″
- Grindstone-Rowes Run – 6.5″
- New Salem – 6.1″
- Smithfield – 6.0″
Greene County:
- Waynesburg – 5.0″
Indiana County:
- Black Lick – 11.0″
- Black Lick – 11.0″
- Brush Valley – 9.0″
- Vintondale – 8.5″
- Homer City – 7.5″
- Blairsville – 6.5″
- Belsano – 6.0″
- Blairsville – 5.5″
- Ernest – 5.5″
- Clymer – 5.2″
- Indiana – 5.0″
- Indiana – 5.0″
- Homer City – 4.6″
- Chevy Chase Heights – 4.0″
Lawrence County:
- New Castle – 3.5″
- South New Castle – 3.0″
Mercer County:
- Jamestown – 4.0″
- Hermitage – 3.0″
- Sharpsville – 2.3″
Venango County:
- Franklin – 6.0″
- Pleasantville – 3.5″
- Seneca – 3.5″
- Titusville – 3.2″
- Franklin – 3.0″
- Hasson Heights – 2.0″
Washington County:
- Avella – 8.0″
- Cecil-Bishop – 7.5″
- Mcmurray – 7.5″
- Gastonville – 7.5″
- Canonsburg – 7.5″
- Avella – 7.0″
- Mcmurray – 7.0″
- Washington – 7.0″
- Canonsburg – 7.0″
- Baidland – 7.0″
- West Middletown – 7.0″
- Washington – 6.8″
- Claysville – 6.7″
- Marianna – 6.7″
- Finleyville – 6.5″
- Thompsonville – 6.5″
- Mcmurray – 6.3″
- Mcmurray – 6.1″
- Marianna – 6.0″
- Wolfdale – 6.0″
- Claysville – 6.0″
- Mcdonald – 6.0″
- Mcdonald – 6.0″
- Canonsburg – 6.0″
- West Finley – 6.0″
- Thompsonville – 6.0″
- Finleyville – 5.8″
- Canonsburg – 5.5″
- West Finley – 5.5″
- Hiller – 5.0″
- Dunlevy – 5.0″
- Canonsburg – 5.0″
- Burgettstown – 4.0″
Westmoreland County:
- Youngstown – 10.0″
- Hunker – 10.0″
- Laurel Mountain – 9.5″
- Ligonier – 8.5″
- Derry – 8.5″
- South Greensburg – 8.0″
- Laurel Mountain – 8.0″
- New Florence – 8.0″
- Jeannette – 7.9″
- Southwest Greensburg – 7.8″
- Greensburg – 7.6″
- Donegal – 7.5″
- Ligonier – 7.1″
- Monessen – 7.0″
- South Greensburg – 7.0″
- South Greensburg – 7.0″
- Delmont – 7.0″
- South Greensburg – 7.0″
- Southwest Greensburg – 7.0″
- New Florence – 7.0″
- Manor – 6.9″
- West Newton – 6.8″
- Plum – 6.5″
- Latrobe – 6.5″
- North Washington – 6.5″
- Lawson Heights – 6.5″
- North Irwin – 6.2″
- Lynnwood-Pricedale – 6.0″
- Smithton – 6.0″
- West Leechburg – 6.0″
- Smithton – 6.0″
- North Irwin – 6.0″
- Latrobe – 5.8″
- Arona – 5.4″
- New Kensington – 5.3″
- Hyde Park – 5.0″
- Lynnwood-Pricedale – 5.0″
- Leechburg – 5.0″
- Lynnwood-Pricedale – 5.0″
- North Washington – 4.9″
- Trafford – 4.5″
- Lower Burrell – 4.0″
- Lower Burrell – 3.9″
- Lower Burrell – 3.8″
As the region begins the recovery process, residents are urged to exercise caution and heed the advice of local authorities. The combination of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures will continue to pose challenges in the coming days.
