Snow, yes. But cold could set record; freeze warning issued

Pittsburgh could break a nearly 150-year-old weather record for this day but not because of the late April snow being seen this morning.

The record for the lowest high temperature has stood since 1875, when the high was only 41 degrees. Today’s high is expected to be colder, at just 39, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Kennedy said.

Normally, it should be about 64 degrees, he said. The record high is 85. Today’s high is also colder than the normal low of 42.

But factor in the wind and, “It’s going to feel like it’s freezing or below all day,” Kennedy said.

Snow began falling just before 6 a.m. at the weather service’s offices in Moon and was working its way east. As of 7:55 a.m., the weather service had measured 1.6 inches there, with only a couple more tenths expected as it begins tapering off.

The most snow measured in Pittsburgh on April 21 was 3 inches in 1922.

Snow was not expected to affect roads for the morning commute because of warmer ground temperatures, Kennedy said. The only impact could be brief reductions in visibility to below a mile.

The widespread snow should be east of the city by 9 a.m. Only scattered flurries are expected after this morning.

With the growing season started, a freeze warning will be in effect from 1 to 10 a.m. Thursday, when the temperature is expected to be in the mid- to upper 20s. The record low is 22, Kennedy said.

A Freeze Warning has been issued for late tonight through Thursday morning for all areas where the growing season has begun. Those outside the Freeze Warning should still protect any tender outdoor plants as the entire area will experience freezing temperatures. pic.twitter.com/SeS94zJm1L

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) April 21, 2021

A warming trend is expected to begin Friday, when the high will be around 60. By Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, highs close to 80 are expected, Kennedy said.