Local News

PHOTOS: Heavy snow blankets the Pittsburgh area and western Pennsylvania amid historic winter storm

By Mike Darnay

Updated on: January 26, 2026 / 2:11 AM EST / CBS Pittsburgh

Snow totals in parts of the Pittsburgh as much as 20 inches following winter storm system

A snowplow during a winter storm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A sprawling winter storm has grounded more than 14,500 flights around the US, triggered a grid emergency and knocked out power to thousands, all while threatening to drop a foot of snow on New York City and the rest of the Northeast corridor on Sunday. Justin Merriman / Bloomberg via Getty Images

A massive winter storm system blanketed the Pittsburgh area and all of western Pennsylvania with heavy snow.

Some parts of the region reported seeing as much as 20 inches of snow in their area.

Sunday's snowfall in Pittsburgh was the highest in a single day since "Snowmageddon" in 2010, making it the snowiest day in the city in 16 years,

Here are some photos that show the historic snowstorm throughout the area.

A birds eye view of Downtown Pittsburgh from the KDKA Drone Team shows the city blanketed with snow from a historic snowstorm that moved through western Pennsylvania. KDKA Drone Team

An ambulance was involved in a rollover crash while responding to an emergency in Springhill Township. The Fayette EMS/Greene EMS service said on Facebook that no one was injured in the crash. Fayette EMS / Greene EMS

Parts of Butler County, including Cranberry Township, were blanketed with heavy snow on Sunday as a historic winter storm made its way across western Pennsylvania.Some parts of Butler County reported snow totals as high as 18 and 20 inches of snow. KDKA

Downtown Pittsburgh quickly became snow covered as a historic winter storm system blanketed the region on Sunday.The winter storm was the first under Mayor Corey O'Connor's administration since he was elected in the fall and inaugurated earlier this year. KDKA

Heavy snow covered Pittsburgh's streets and had people working to dig out their vehicles and keep their sidewalks and driveways cleared. KDKA

A command center has been launched for City of Pittsburgh officials who are monitoring the response to the historic snow storm that blanketed all of western Pennsylvania with heavy snow. KDKA

Westmoreland County was among areas that were blanketed by heavy snowfall on Sunday.Greensburg Public Works Director Tom Bell told KDKA's Chris DeRose that crews were sent home after a 16-hour shift and will be back out on Monday morning. KDKA

People throughout the city of Pittsburgh were out taking in the sights after heavy snowfall blanketed the region on Sunday, including along South Negley Avenue where people were skiing down the road. KDKA

A man was seen walking down the middle of Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh on Sunday as the region was blanketed with snow during a historic winter storm. KDKA

A worker pushes a snow blower on a sidewalk in front of the Federal Building during a winter storm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A sprawling winter storm has grounded thousands of flights around the US, triggered grid crises and knocked out power to thousands, while threatening to drop a foot of snow on New York City and the Northeast corridor Sunday. Justin Merriman / Bloomberg via Getty Images

A person cleans snow off a vehicle during a winter storm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A colossal winter storm reached the US East Coast Sunday morning after dropping ice and snow across much of the nation, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power and causing a wave of flight cancellations that may last for days. Justin Merriman / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Snow falls around a statue of former Pittsburgh Pirates player Bill Mazeroski during a winter storm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A colossal winter storm reached the US East Coast Sunday morning after dropping ice and snow across much of the nation, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power and causing a wave of flight cancellations that may last for days. Justin Merriman / Bloomberg via Getty Images

A person snowboards down a snowy street during a winter storm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A colossal winter storm reached the US East Coast Sunday morning after dropping ice and snow across much of the nation, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power and causing a wave of flight cancellations that may last for days. Justin Merriman / Bloomberg via Getty Images

A City of Pittsburgh Public Works employee blows snow off a sidewalk during a winter storm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A colossal winter storm reached the US East Coast Sunday morning after dropping ice and snow across much of the nation, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power and causing a wave of flight cancellations that may last for days. Justin Merriman / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mike Darnay

Mike Darnay is a digital producer and photojournalist at CBS Pittsburgh. Mike has also written and produced content for Vox Media and the Mon Valley Independent. He often covers overnight breaking news, the Pittsburgh Steelers and high school sports.