LIVE UPDATES: Record-breaking cold with subzero wind chills; snow on way

PITTSBURGH — Subzero wind chills are likely into Friday morning as arctic air pours into the region. Actual air temperatures were in the single digits Wednesday, and will be again Thursday.

PHOTOS: Pittsburghers brave frigid temps, sub-zero wind chills

UPDATE (5:45 p.m. Thursday): Snow will affect the Friday morning commute.

PennDOT officials told Channel 11 a factor helping them is the salt residue on the roads its the same residue covering our cars right now.

UPDATE (5:15 p.m. Thursday): Local businesses are feeling the big chill during this cold snap.

The cold weather is also impacting some businesses.

UPDATE (12 p.m. Thursday): Temperatures Thursday afternoon will be in the single digits, with wind chills below zero as breezy winds continue.

Grab the sunglasses, as there will be a good deal of sunshine through the day.

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Clouds build in tonight and snow showers will move in as the morning commute wears on. Any snow that falls will stick due to the cold weather. Drive with caution and expect reduced visibility.

Not much snow is expected across northern counties. The heaviest snow will fall across southern counties. Greene County to the ridges of Fayette County may see 2 to 3 inches of snowfall through Friday evening.

UPDATE (4 a.m. Thursday): Record-breaking cold will be in place early Thursday.

Wind chills will once again be at dangerous levels through mid-afternoon. Try to limit time outdoors as wind chills will be close to 20 degrees below zero to start the day. At that point, frostbite is possible on exposed skin within 30 minutes.

SCHOOL/BUSINESS CLOSINGS & DELAYS

Check on neighbors who may struggle keeping their home or apartment heated during this stretch of cold weather, and don't leave pets outdoors.

We'll start the day below zero, then rebound into the plus side of the thermometer by noon, as high temperatures move into the single digits.

A southern storm will bring more clouds late day, with snow developing closer to midnight and continuing Friday.

We're tracking the record cold on WPXI.com, on air on Channel 11, in our mobile apps and in all of our streaming apps.

Cold ground temperatures will allow any snow that falls to stick, creating the threat for icy spots during the Friday morning commute. The latest forecast is for less snow north of Pittsburgh and more snow south.

Severe Weather Team 11 is tracking this system and updating how much snow you could see, and where the impacts will be the greatest.

UPDATE (11:15 p.m. Wednesday): Meals on Wheels chapters, and their recipients, can be negatively affected when severe weather keeps the program from running smoothly.

Watch below to see how organizers make sure the people who need them most are never forgotten:

UPDATE (10 p.m. Wednesday): Record breaking cold will push wind chills to dangerous levels again early Thursday. Try to limit time outdoors as wind chills are expected to drop to -15 F to -20 F. At that point, frostbite is possible on exposed skin within thirty minutes.

We'll start the day below zero, then rebound into the plus side of the thermometer by noon, as high temperatures move into the single digits. A southern storm will bring more clouds late day, with snow developing closer to midnight and continuing Friday.

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Cold ground temperatures will allow any snow that falls to stick, creating the threat for icy spots during the Friday morning commute. The latest forecast is for less snow north of Pittsburgh and more snow south.

Severe Weather Team 11 is tracking this system and updating how much snow you could see, and where the impacts will be the greatest.

UPDATE (7:40 p.m. Wednesday): Hundreds of people are without power in North Versailles.

UPDATE (6 p.m. Wednesday): Channel 11 asked the Pittsburgh fire chief what happens to fire hydrants when temperatures get this low.

Hear more from him below:

UPDATE (5:10 p.m. Wednesday): The U.S. Postal Service has stopped mail delivery in 10 states because of the bitter cold, but Pennsylvania was not one of them.

UPDATE (5 p.m. Wednesday): Nearly 70 PennDOT trucks have been out on Westmoreland County roads, working in 12-hour shifts to try to keep up with Mother Nature's challenges.

UPDATE (4:45 p.m. Wednesday): Firefighters in two communities were forced to put out fires in the frigid temperatures.

Crews were called to a Monroeville apartment building, as well as a Center Township home.

UPDATE (2:45 p.m. Wednesday): It's official -- this is the coldest Jan. 30 in the recorded history of Pittsburgh.

The city hit -2 degrees this afternoon, breaking the record of -1 set in 1934.

UPDATE (11:45 a.m. Wednesday): Dangerously-cold air will stick around through Friday morning as an arctic high pressure builds in and locks in the cold.

SCHOOL/BUSINESS CLOSINGS & DELAYS

Air temperatures on Wednesday will be in the lower single digits, with wind chills as low as 25 degrees below zero. Winds could gust to 40 mph, making for areas of blowing snow. Sun glare may also be an issue.

We're tracking when temperatures and wind chills will be at their lowest -- for Channel 11 News, starting at 5 p.m.

Low temperatures will drop below zero early Thursday and Pittsburgh may break a record low for the day.

Another round of accumulating snowfall is on the way Friday, with temperatures only in the 20s for highs.

Check on neighbors who may struggle keeping their home or apartment heated during this stretch of cold weather, and don't leave your pets outdoors.

Our team of meteorologists will be tracking this cold blast hour-by-hour, bringing you the latest updates.

UPDATE (9:45 a.m. Wednesday): Wind chills are expected to fall to as low as 22 degrees below zero Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE (8 a.m. Wednesday): We could set two record lows in two minutes Monday night.

Temperatures will continue to drop through the single digits Wednesday and below zero Wednesday evening. The record low for Wednesday, January 30, is one degree below zero. If the temperature drops below -1 we'll set a record low for Wednesday. Thursday's record low is -3 degrees.

We are currently forecasting a low of -6 which would easily set a record for January 31.  That's two potential record lows in two days, but there is a chance the record low for today is set at 11:59 p.m. Monday night, and the 12:00 a.m. (Thursday) temperature is already colder than -3 meaning we would set two record lows in two minutes.

UPDATE (7 a.m. Wednesday): Moderate to heavy snow continues to work its way east as wind chills drop into the negative double digits.

UPDATE (6:15 a.m. Wednesday): A Snow Squall Warning has been canceled, but heavy snow continues to push east.

UPDATE (5:50 a.m. Wednesday): A Snow Squall Warning is in effect as a heavy band of snow moves through the area.

UPDATE (5 a.m. Wednesday): A snow squall could drop a quick inch or two of snow on parts of the area.

UPDATE (4:30 a.m. Wednesday): A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of the area until 10 a.m. as a band of heavy snow moves through.

UPDATE (3 a.m. Wednesday): Dropping wind chills and bands of snow as you get going this morning.

UPDATE (2 a.m. Wednesday): Wind chills will be dropping to double digits below zero to start the day Wednesday.  Snow showers could quickly coat area roads with a half inch or so of snow possible in some spots.

Download the WPXI News App for the latest forecast updates.

Dangerously cold wind chills will grip the area late Wednesday morning through Thursday. Wind chills as low as -25 F will be possible which can lead to frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.  Dress properly in several layers and cover as much of your body as possible if you're going to be outside for any length of time.

Low temperatures will drop below zero early Thursday leading to another day of dangerously cold wind chills and possible school delays or cancellations.

Check on neighbors who may struggle to keep their home or apartment heated during this stretch of cold weather, and don't leave pets outdoors.

Our team of meteorologists will be tracking this cold blast hour by hour, bringing you the latest updates.

UPDATE (11 p.m. Tuesday): A PennDOT spokesperson told Channel 11 that salt won't work on its own when temperatures at this cold, so if it starts snowing, crews will also be mixing in an anti-skid material on neighborhood roads.

Trucks will be out starting at 4 a.m. patrolling for icy spots.

UPDATE (9:15 p.m. Tuesday): Firefighters are busy preparing to respond to cold-related emergencies.

“I’m very concerned because within a half hour a firefighter can be frost bitten,” said Nicholas Turner, a lieutenant with the Pitcairn Fire Department.

They use about 50 pounds of gear to keep warm, as well as tents and a bus.

The fire department is also serving as a warming shelter.

UPDATE (8:30 p.m. Tuesday): More than 550 schools and businesses have issued either delays or closings for Wednesday.

The Allegheny County Controller's Office will also be closed Wednesday.

UPDATE (6:40 p.m. Tuesday): Dangerously cold wind chills will grip the area through Thursday.

Wind chills as low as -25 degrees will be possible, which could lead to frostbite within 30 minutes. Snow showers will move through the area early Wednesday, and could create icy spots for the morning commute.

Low temperatures will drop below zero early Thursday, leading to another day of dangerously cold wind chills and possible school delays or cancellations.

Check on neighbors who may struggle keeping their homes or apartments heated during this stretch of cold weather, and don't leave pets outdoors.

UPDATE (6 p.m. Tuesday): Every division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas will be closed Wednesday.

The closure includes the Allegheny County Magisterial district courts, as well as the Pittsburgh Municipal Court.

The district attorney's office will be closed. If anyone is scheduled to appear tomorrow, they will be notified by the assistant district attorney or deputy district attorney who is assigned to their case.

Arraignment court won't be effected by the closure and will remain open.

UPDATE (4:15 p.m. Tuesday): The Boyce Park Ski Slopes and the North Park and South Park ice rinks will all be closed on Wednesday, according to Allegheny County.

Watch Pittsburgh's Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper's updated forecast HERE.

UPDATE (3:10 p.m. Tuesday): Allegheny County Common Pleas President Judge Kim Clark ordered the courts closed Wednesday because of severe cold weather expected to move into the area.

UPDATE (3 p.m. Tuesday): The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to the extreme cold weather.

UPDATE (2 p.m. Tuesday): Pittsburgh's Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper gives an updated forecast on the arctic blast:

SCHOOL/BUSINESS CLOSINGS & DELAYS

UPDATE (11:57 a.m. Tuesday): A Wind Chill Warning will go into effect at 1 a.m. Wednesday for our northern counties and continue until 11 a.m. Friday as wind chill values dip as low as -25 degrees.

A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for Pittsburgh from 5 a.m. Wednesday until 5 p.m. Thursday.

Temperatures will fall through the day today with teens by the afternoon. Wind chills will start dipping below zero toward midnight. Strong winds will continue overnight with gusts to 30 mph. A few snow showers are also possible through the afternoon and night. Wednesday morning will bring some snow showers with wind chills at -10 to -20 degrees. Gusts to 40 mph are possible through the day.

Make sure to wear layers and a winter coat. Protect your head and your hands. The coldest air will move in by Thursday morning with wind chills dipping to -15 to -25 degrees.

Stay with Severe Weather Team 11 for updates as we track the dangerous cold into our area.

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• 11 things to know about the Arctic blast moving into Pittsburgh area

UPDATE (10 a.m. Tuesday): A Winter Weather Advisory has been allowed to expire after a flash freeze was possible Tuesday morning.

SCHOOL/BUSINESS CLOSINGS & DELAYS

A Wind Chill Advisory will go into effect at 5 a.m. Wednesday and continue until 5 p.m. Thursday for Allegheny, Washington and Greene counties, as well as parts of Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

Wind Chill Warnings will go into effect starting early Wednesday for the Westmoreland and Fayette ridges, as well as Butler, Beaver, Indiana, Armstrong and other northern counties.

ORIGINAL STORY: Flash freeze is possible Tuesday morning as quickly falling temperatures are expected to ice up wet roads across the area.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. for much of the area.

Download the WPXI News App for the latest forecast updates.

Overnight rain can quickly ice up on untreated surfaces as temperatures fall into the 20s through the morning.

Rain showers will change to scattered snow showers that will continue on and off through the day Tuesday. Most areas will see well under an inch of snow by Tuesday evening.

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Temperatures will continue to fall through the 20s during the day Tuesday, with wind chills falling to near zero by late Tuesday evening.

Subzero wind chills are likely late Tuesday night into Friday morning as arctic air pours into the region. Actual air temperatures will be in the single digits Wednesday and Thursday, with record lows possible Thursday morning across the area.

Wind chill advisories and warnings have been issued from 1 a.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. Friday.

Is the polar vortex to blame for Arctic blast moving in?

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