Lead
On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, a historic winter storm struck the Pittsburgh area, coating roads and neighborhoods with heavy snow and disrupting travel across western Pennsylvania. The storm remained active into Sunday night, with some communities forecast to see snowfall continue into Monday morning. Forecasts called for more than 10 inches across much of the region and local reports showed pockets of double-digit accumulations up to 15 inches so far. Local meteorologists and the National Weather Service issued ongoing updates as crews and residents assessed conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Most of the Pittsburgh region was forecast to receive more than 10 inches of snow on Jan. 25, 2026, with forecasts mentioning locally higher amounts up to 16 inches in places.
- Observed official and media-verified totals include Ross Township at 12.0 inches (3:15 p.m.), Pittsburgh city at 10.2 inches (5:00 p.m.) and Midland at 15.0 inches (12:38 p.m.).
- Other measured totals: Kittanning 12.0 inches (1:28 p.m.), Butler 14.0 inches (2:39 p.m.), Monessen 14.0 inches (3:00 p.m.), Shelocta 10.3 inches (1:42 p.m.), Roscoe 10.3 inches (12:20 p.m.).
- Smaller accumulations were reported in some counties: Fayette City 7.5 inches (12:41 p.m.) and Waynesburg 6.0 inches (12:47 p.m.).
- Snow continued to fall Sunday night across the region; western Pennsylvania communities were most likely to see the storm extend into Monday morning.
- Roads and driveways were widely described as blanketed and travel conditions hazardous; local authorities urged caution and followed National Weather Service guidance.
Background
Western Pennsylvania frequently experiences intense winter storms in January, and the Jan. 25 event followed a typical pattern of a strong low-pressure system tracking across the Great Lakes and Appalachians. Moisture-laden air combined with cold surface temperatures led to widespread snow rather than mixed precipitation across Pittsburgh and nearby counties. Local emergency management and road crews prepare annually for multi-inch snowfall events, but accumulations above a foot strain removal operations and slow commutes.
National Weather Service forecasts and local TV weather teams routinely coordinate to provide near-real-time snowfall tallies during significant storms. Media partners and volunteer observers submit measured totals from towns and boroughs, which supplement official station observations. Those combined reports help municipal officials decide on plowing priorities, school closures, and travel advisories during and after a storm.
Main Event
The storm intensified through Sunday morning and into the afternoon on Jan. 25, producing steady snow across Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Washington, Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette and Indiana counties. By midday and into the afternoon local crews and observers began reporting double-digit totals in several communities, with the highest reported by local teams reaching 15.0 inches in Midland as of 12:38 p.m.
In Allegheny County, Ross Township reported 12.0 inches as of 3:15 p.m., while Pittsburgh recorded 10.2 inches as of 5:00 p.m. Across neighboring counties, Kittanning in Armstrong County logged 12.0 inches at 1:28 p.m., and Butler borough reported 14.0 inches at 2:39 p.m. Westmoreland County’s Monessen and Beaver County’s Midland were among the heaviest-hit communities in the region.
Snowfall rates and visibility varied through the afternoon, with local meteorologists noting heavier bands that produced faster accumulation where they set up. The KDKA Weather Team and National Weather Service issued regular updates and advisories; observers were asked to report measured totals to help refine maps and forecasts. Officials stressed that totals were preliminary and subject to revision as more observations arrived and as snow continued overnight.
Analysis & Implications
This storm underscores how even routine winter systems can cause outsized disruption when snowfall rates are sustained and accumulate into double digits. For municipalities, sustained hourly snow removal is expensive and labor-intensive: crews must prioritize major arteries first, which often leaves residential streets uncleared for longer periods. If additional snow falls Monday in western parts of the region, municipalities will face extended plow rotations and increased salt usage.
Transportation impacts extend beyond local roads: bus and commuter schedules can be delayed or suspended, and longer travel times raise the risk of secondary collisions. Schools and employers commonly respond to such events with closures or remote options; in regions where totals exceeded a foot, districts typically move to a snow day until roads are passable. The economic cost of a single major snow event includes lost work hours, delayed deliveries and added municipal expense for overtime and equipment operations.
From a forecasting perspective, the observed totals help validate model output and improve short-range guidance for residents and decision-makers. Continued monitoring is important because even modest additional accumulation overnight can raise totals into higher categories that trigger different municipal responses. Finally, heavy snow load on infrastructure and trees increases the risk for localized power outages, though verified outage counts remained unclear as reports were still being compiled.
Comparison & Data
| Location | Reported Total (inches) | Observation Time (local) |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Township (Allegheny County) | 12.0 | 3:15 p.m. |
| Pittsburgh (city) | 10.2 | 5:00 p.m. |
| Kittanning (Armstrong County) | 12.0 | 1:28 p.m. |
| Midland (Beaver County) | 15.0 | 12:38 p.m. |
| Butler (Butler County) | 14.0 | 2:39 p.m. |
| Fayette City (Fayette County) | 7.5 | 12:41 p.m. |
| Waynesburg (Greene County) | 6.0 | 12:47 p.m. |
| Shelocta (Indiana County) | 10.3 | 1:42 p.m. |
| Roscoe (Washington County) | 10.3 | 12:20 p.m. |
| Monessen (Westmoreland County) | 14.0 | 3:00 p.m. |
The table above consolidates locally reported totals gathered by media and weather observers during Jan. 25. These figures are preliminary snapshots tied to the listed observation times and may be updated as additional measurements are verified.
Reactions & Quotes
“Periods of heavy snow will continue through Sunday night across parts of western Pennsylvania.”
National Weather Service (forecast update)
The National Weather Service emphasized continued snowfall into the overnight period for western parts of the state, noting that accumulations could increase and conditions would remain hazardous for travel.
“Crews are working to clear primary routes, but residents should expect slippery secondary roads and limited visibility in heavier bands.”
KDKA Weather Team (local forecast and reporting)
Local meteorologists highlighted plow priorities and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel while significant accumulation persisted. Media outlets continued to gather spot totals from volunteers and municipal sources to update maps.
Unconfirmed
- Some higher totals reported anecdotally on social media have not yet been verified by official observers or the National Weather Service.
- The full extent and location of any power outages or road closures remain incomplete pending consolidated reports from utilities and municipal agencies.
Bottom Line
The Jan. 25, 2026 storm produced widespread double-digit snowfall across much of the Pittsburgh region, with locally higher pockets—Midland reported 15.0 inches—while forecasts suggested some areas could see up to 16 inches. Residents should treat reported totals as preliminary until further verification, and take standard winter safety precautions as municipalities continue clearing prioritized routes.
Follow updates from the National Weather Service and local weather teams overnight and into Monday morning for revised totals and any travel or safety advisories. For municipalities, the next 24–48 hours will determine cleanup timelines and whether additional municipal resources are required to restore normal travel conditions.