Region braces for bitter cold after digging out from snowstorm
Southwestern Pennsylvanians who dug out Monday from Winter Storm Fern now find themselves facing a stretch of dangerously cold temperatures.
“It’s no secret now that we will be looking at an extended period of temperatures below freezing,” the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh posted early Tuesday on Facebook.
On the heels of nearly a foot of snowfall across the region throughout the day Sunday – making it the most accumulation over a single day in nearly 16 years – the weather service issued a cold weather advisory from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 11 a.m. Wednesday in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties.
Wind chills as low as 10 to 20 degrees below zero are expected Wednesday morning. Temperatures in many areas are expected to dip to below zero throughout the week.
Those wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, the weather service cautioned. Additionally, the extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes.
The weather service recommends dressing in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you have to go outside.
To prevent water pipes from freezing, wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.
Also, NWS advises keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Libre’s Law – signed into law in Pennsylvania in 2017 – is designed to prevent pets from being left outside in the extreme cold (32 degrees or below) for more than 30 minutes. Violators could face fines and even prison time, depending on the circumstances.
If you see a pet out in the cold and deep snow and fear it’s being left there, you can report it to local law enforcement.
And keep in mind that drivers in Pennsylvania are required to clear off all the snow and ice from their vehicles before driving.
“Christine’s Law,” named for Christine Lambert, was enacted in 2022. On Christmas Day 2005, Lambert died while traveling when an icy projectile dislodged from a tractor-trailer, went through her windshield and struck her in the head.
Drivers could face a $50 fine or more if snow or ice on their vehicle causes injury or death to another driver.