Rain Turns to Snow, Winter Storm Warning in Effect

The National Weather service confirmed what people were lamenting throughout much of Thursday's soggy afternoon: That a storm from Eastern Ohio will make its way into Allegheny County around midnight, bringing with it a "band of heavy, wet snow."

While the area had been operating under a flood warning throughout most of Thursday, the report added another alert to the list: a winter storm warning.

The report also stated that snow could fall at a rate of an inch an hour – and that showers would persist through 2 p.m. Friday. Four to eight inches of snow accumulation is expected.

What about the ride to work and school tomorrow?

“Rush hour will likely be extremely hazardous,” the National Weather Service report confirmed.

The state Department of Transportation also sent out alerts Thursday urging motorists to be cognizant of the upcoming storm and the possible road conditions it will create.

“PennDOT crews will plow and treat roadways but their goal is to keep roads passable not completely free of ice and snow,” a press release from the department stated. “Crews treat interstates and other high-volume expressways first during winter storms, so motorists may find deeper snow accumulations on secondary routes.”

To stay in the know, the department urges motorists to check road conditions on state roads by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com. That website is free and available 24 hours a day, and provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, color-coded road condition maps, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 500 traffic cameras.