Jan 13, 2018 2 min read

A cold front moving through the area Friday evening turned heavy rains into freezing rain and ice pellets and then snow, and blanketed the region with anywhere from 2-6″ of snow. 

National Weather Service meteorologist John Darnley says we should be done with snow for the rest of the weekend. 

According to Darnley, an extended cold front swept in from eastern Ohio through Western Pennsylvania, changing Friday evening’s heavy rainfall to freezing rain and ice pellets, and then transitioning into snow. Expected snow fall totals for Washington and Greene counties is 2-4″, although some areas have experienced more snow.

At this time, PennDOT is reporting that all state roads are passable, however there is a 45 mph speed limit restriction on state highways and major roads until noon Saturday. 

PennDOT spokesman Valerie Petersen said that while most roads have been plowed, drivers should still use caution and expect travel to be slower than normal.

“If you don’t need to go anywhere, don’t go.”

Petersen said that if you do travel today, make sure your vehicle has good tread on your tires and that your windshield wipers are woring. She also suggests you pack some emergency supplies as a precaution, like gloves, bottled water, a snack, and blankets. 

Of all the state roads PennDOT maintains, only one road in Washington County and three in Greene County are closed due to flooding as of Saturday morning. A mudslide closed a fourth road in Greene. At one point Friday, 28 roads were closed due to flooding in Washington County alone.

While roads were hazardous with ice and snow accumulation, Washington County 911 Dispatch reported that Friday night into Saturday morning was fairly uneventful. A dispatcher attributed it to people listening to the weather warnings and staying indoors. Even their call load was lower than normal. 

A flood warning is still in affect for parts of Washington County until 11:15AM Saturday. Friday’s heavy rains caused some flooding in the area, with Chartiers Creek rising above its banks from Canonsburg into South Fayette. Ten Mile Creek came close to cresting its banks, as well as other unnamed creeks throughout the area. Flooding was reported in Cecil, Houston, and other parts of Washington County. 

While the snow won’t be an issue for the rest of the weekend, temperatures will still be low. Saturday’s high is 16 degrees, and Sunday’s high will be 17 degrees.