Frigid temperatures, wind chills sticking around through weekend

PITTSBURGH — Very cold temperatures and wind chills will stick around through the weekend, with highs generally in the teens, lows in the single digits and wind chills dropping below zero Friday night and Saturday night.

11 ALERT: School, business closings and delays for Friday, Jan. 6

Most of the area picked up 1 to 3 inches of snow Thursday afternoon and Thursday night, with some higher amounts along and south of I-70 and in the Laurel Highlands.

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Skies cleared out early Friday morning, allowing temperatures to fall into the single digits in much of the area including Pittsburgh.

Wind chills dropped below zero in areas from Pittsburgh and north.

With temperatures remaining below freezing, untreated roads, bridges and sidewalks were icy for Friday’s morning commute.

The steadiest snow developed during the afternoon commute on Thursday, making it difficult for road crews to treat. Motorists were advised to plan for delays and disruptions and to allow extra time for travel. Bumper-to-bumper traffic was reported across the area.

said areas south of Pittsburgh would see the most snow.

PennDOT told Channel 11 News that workers were out ahead of Thursday’s evening commute pre-treating the roadways, especially in Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

VIDEO: Heavy snowfall in Fayette County

VIDEO: PennDOT preps ahead of time to keep roads clear

"We're out getting the plows and trucks ready, spreaders ready, and loading material up and pretreating some roadways,” said Robb Dean, PennDOT’s Westmoreland County maintenance manager.

City officials said Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works crews were also called in early Thursday evening. As many as 70 trucks were sent out to pretreat major roads throughout the city.

While the snow will be gone Friday morning, the concern transitions to a refreeze.

"The roadways can be slick even though they look wet,” Steve Cowan, with PennDOT, said. “We ask motorists if you come across some patches of ice, please call 1-800-FIX-ROAD."

Cox Media Group