Motorists Warned of Dangerous Road Conditions Because of Heavy Snow, Sleet

Snow, sleet or ice will make travel hazardous or impossible today (Wednesday) as a winter storm warning remains in effect for western Pennsylvania as well as parts of Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland, according to the National Weather Service.

In other words, it's a good day to stay inside and roast chestnuts on an open fire, as "The Christmas Song" says.

Reports of icy roads and vehicle accidents were coming across the scanner steadily Wednesday morning.

The storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Pittsburgh International Airport spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said runways have been cleared of snow at the airport, though dozens of arriving flights have been cancelled. 

"At this point our runways are clear," Jenny said. "But we have had a number of cancellations. We always recommend that people check their flights before coming to the airport." 

Heavy snow—3 to 6 inches from Wheeling, WV, to Pittsburgh to Greensburg and 4 to 8 inches from Zanesville, OH, to Butler to Indiana—is forecast

Sleet and freezing rain may mix in at times, the weather service said.

Farther south, 2 to 4 inches of snow are likely where sleet and freezing rain are more likely to mix in.

Up to one-tenth inch accumulation of ice is possible where freezing rain persists, particularly in the ridges of Fayette and Westmoreland counties, the weather service reports.

Heavy snow is expected through early afternoon; precipitation will taper to very light snow or freezing drizzle this evening, NWS said.

Hazardous travel conditions are expected because of reduced visibility and snow and ice accumulation. Downed trees and power lines are possible where the most freezing rain occurs in the ridges of Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

The National Weather Service warns that visibility could be as low as a quarter mile or less during heavy snow.

Please tell us in the comments section about any travel problems you see in your area. Also, please upload snow photos.

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