Snow could make Friday morning commute slippery

Didn’t the groundhog say something about an early spring?

Pittsburgh-area residents might be questioning Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction based upon the upcoming weather.

According to the National Weather Service, some snow is expected overnight today into Friday morning, which could make things slippery for the Friday morning commute. More snow is expected on Sunday, followed by a blast of cold and single-digit lows early next week.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory late Thursday predicting accumulations of up to 3 inches in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties by 9 a.m. Friday. Between 2 and 4 inches of snow, along with freezing rain and ice, are in store for the ridges of eastern Westmoreland County, according to the advisory.

Chilly temperatures have returned! Decreasing clouds expected later on, next system tracks to our southeast tonight into Friday. 2-3" possible in the ridges, less elsewhere. Sleet/freezing rain may mix in south of Mason-Dixon Line. pic.twitter.com/uq0rCaEDoU

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) February 28, 2019

The human weather prognosticators are looking ahead to Sunday, when a system is expected to develop over the lower Mississippi Valley and track over the lower Ohio Valley toward the Northeast by Monday morning.

Between 4 and 5 inches will fall in Allegheny County and the surrounding area, according to the weather service’s preliminary projections. Totals could reach up to a foot in the mountain ridges to the east.

Here is a preliminary look at our forecast snowfall totals for Sunday. Stay tuned for updates! pic.twitter.com/GuVMWdjWSP

— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) February 28, 2019

Following Sunday’s snow, temperatures next week are forecast to be below normal, with highs in the low 20s and lows in the single digits.

“That’s pretty cold for early March,” meteorologist Chris Leonardi said.