Snow leads to slick roads, crashes across the area

PITTSBURGH — Several inches of snow fell across the Pittsburgh region Sunday, causing slick conditions on the roads.

Download the WPXI News App for the latest updates from Severe Weather Team 11.

UPDATE Sunday 11:00 p.m.: Channel 11's Erin Clarke was driving around Allegheny County monitoring road conditions Sunday night after hearing about several crashes.

The city and PennDOT are warning drivers and pedestrians that bridges and overpasses freeze up and get slippery faster than the regular roadways, especially when the temperature drops -- which will happen Monday morning.

UPDATE Sunday 10:08 p.m.: Some areas have seen around four inches of snow.

UPDATE Sunday 8:30 p.m.:

• Pittsburgh: 62nd St at Butler St - vehicle into pole, no injuries reported; icy conditions on bridge
• McKeesport: Ohio St at Chester St - vehicle crash, no injuries
• Edgewood: Beech St at Locust St - caller reported blue vehicle slid into and struck a parked SUV and fled scene

UPDATE Sunday 7:30 p.m.: Several crashes are being reported across Allegheny County, according to their Twitter page.

• Penn Hills: McGregor Dr at Hulton Rd - vehicles disabled on roadway due to conditions. McGregor Dr closed.
• Plum: Single vehicle crash with injuries - 100 Logans Ferry Rd.
• Plum: 2 vehicle crash with injuries - Stotler Rd at Ross Hollow Rd
• South Fayette: I 79 northbound at Bridgeville  Exit – single vehicle into median with injuries.
• Penn Hills: single vehicle into yard with injury - 100 block Elias Dr
• Indiana: Church Ln at Saxonburg Blvd - single vehicle slid off roadway.
• Penn Hills: 800 block Cedarwood Dr - vehicle slid into mailboxes on street and fled
• Baldwin Boro: 1400 block Prospect Rd - two vehicle collision, no injuries
• Oakdale: 1900 block Cottonwood Dr at Noblestown Rd - single vehicle crash, no injuries

UPDATE Sunday 6:05 p.m.: Westmoreland County could also get several inches of snow.

PennDOT officials told Channel 11's Shelley Bortz they're ready for whatever comes their way.

We're told they have roughly 200 trucks and plenty of salt and anti-skid ready to go.

"We need to be prepared for the unexpected just like the motorists needs to be prepared for the unexpected. We need to make sure our crews are out there and watching for the changes in the difference in the temperature and changes in the climate," said Valerie Petersen, a spokesperson for PennDOT.

UPDATE Sunday 6:00 p.m.: The city of Pittsburgh has more than 50 plow trucks ready and more on standby.

Some of those trucks headed out on the roads as early as noon today to spread salt on primary and secondary roads.

"We're going to work for a 10 hour shift and we intend to bring our night turn in early, 6 p.m. tonight to supplement that and work until 6 a.m.," said Pittsburgh Public Works Director Mike Gable.

Additionally, crews focused on pedestrian traffic will also be on the job early.

"We're also bringing in crews early, about 4 a.m. to get started on our sidewalks, bridges, sidewalks and steps," Gable said.

With all the preperation and expectation that the snow will end by early Monday morning, city officials think Pittsburgh will be in pretty good shape for the Monday morning commute.

UPDATE Sunday 5:30 p.m.: Route 30 in Beaver County is snow-covered and visibility is limited.

UPDATE Sunday 3:00 p.m.: Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper is getting a better focus on the track of the storm. He'll have the latest toals -- on 11 News at 6 p.m.

UPDATE Sunday 2:00 p.m.: Visibility has dropped across most of the area as snow has started to fall.

UPDATE Sunday 1:03 p.m.: Snow is spreading throughout western Pennsylvania, setting the area up for potentially slick travel conditions later in the afternoon and evening.

STORY: Winter Weather Advisory in effect as snow moves through area Sunday

UPDATE Sunday 12 p.m.: Light snow has started falling, and it's expected to get heavier as the day goes on.

UPDATE Sunday 11:15 a.m.: The city of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works will begin its shifts at noon, with night turn personnel coming in early at 6 p.m. to work a 12-hour shift.

Initially, the DPW will concentrate on pre-treating secondary streets until the snow begins to fall. There is residual salt already on main roads from last week, officials said.

STORY: Winter Weather Advisory in effect as snow moves through area Sunday

With temperatures falling early Monday, officials said the DPW will be using its blue tinted Magnesium Chloride Rock Salt.

Crews will switch to plow mode once multiple inches of snow fall.

Parks maintenance crews will be called in at 4 a.m. Monday to attend to sidewalks, parking lots, bridge sidewalks and steps.

UPDATE Sunday 10:50 a.m.: The city of Pittsburgh has declared a snow level 2, meaning all Department of Public Works vehicles and equipment will be put into plow mode, and salting and plowing will be done as needed. It is recommended that residents move vehicles from side streets and alleys.

UPDATE Sunday 10 a.m.: A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for the entire area after an earlier warning was downgraded.

STORY: Winter Weather Advisory in effect as snow moves through area Sunday

UPDATE Sunday 9 a.m.: PennDOT crews in Allegheny County will pre-treat ramps, bridges and overpasses as needed. Roads, however, will not be pre-treated because they are already treated from the last storm.

UPDATE Sunday 7:30 a.m.: Some snow is falling in southern communities.

UPDATE Sunday 7 a.m.: A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect across the area at 10 a.m. Sunday, remaining in effect through 1 a.m. Monday.

STORY: Winter Weather Advisory issued ahead of several inches of snow Sunday

A Winter Storm Warning that had been issued for parts of the area has been downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory.

Snow will move in during the early afternoon Sunday and will be moderate to heavy at times by the late afternoon and evening hours.

UPDATE Saturday 11 p.m.:

According to Meterologist Stephen Cropper, the heaviest snow is expected to fall in points south of Allegheny County.

Since Friday, PennDOT has been preparing for several inches of snow in Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette and Greene counties.

Utlility companies are doing the same.

A West Penn Power spokesperson told Channel 11 that the comapny's biggest concern is wet, heavy snow bringing down limbs already weak and hanging after last week's strong winds.

Click here to watch a full report from Erin Clarke.

UPDATE Saturday 6 p.m.:

The snow will hit one week after a powerful storm left thousands of customers without power for days.

In fact, some of those customers finally has their power stored Friday night.

Channel 11's Erin Clarke talked to representatives from West Penn Power and Duquesne Light about the plans they have in place ahead of Sunday's storm. Click here to watch her full report.

UPDATE Saturday 5:11 p.m.:

Meterologist Danielle Dozier says snow will be begin to fall early afternoon. Moderate to heavy snow looks to develop as the evening wears on.

UPDATE Saturday 3:30 p.m.:

The National Weather Service issued Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories for the entire viewing area.

UPDATE Saturday 9 a.m.: 

Temperatures will be in the upper 20s and low 30s Saturday morning. Light rain or snow is possible south and east of Pittsburgh later this afternoon.

Snow will move in Sunday and will be moderate to heavy at times. Snow could begin as soon as Noon in Pittsburgh.

Friday, 11 p.m. -

Schools around Western Pa. are starting to use up their snow days, including the Butler Area School District.

Right now, there's proposed legislation that would allow students to do work at home if school is canceled and still meet the required 180 days per year.

Friday, 9:37 p.m.

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike announced plans for vehicle restrictions during Sunday's snow storm.

Friday, 6:00 p.m.

PennDOT told Channel 11's Damany Lewis there have been several meetings already as they prepare for half a foot of snow. Leaders said the Incident Command Center will be activated on Sunday and all 65 crews will be on the road operating.

Because of recent storms, the roads will not be pretreated

"We have enough supplies and hopefully this will be the last one of the season," Carl Hays from PennDOT told Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz.

Friday, 4 p.m.

The snowstorm is still two days away, but PennDOT and other road crews are already preparing.

Pittsburgh's Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper says this has potential to be the highest snowfall for Pittsburgh so far this winter. His forecast is for 3-5 inches in the city, with 5-7 inches expected through Washington County and other southern areas.

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