People across the Pittsburgh area will ring in 2026 amid cold temperatures and heavy snow. 

Weather forecasts for New Year's Eve call for snow on Wednesday night. For most areas near Pittsburgh, the snow will start wrapping up before sunrise on New Year's Day, with only light snow left over as Thursday goes on. 

The snowstorm moved in as people began getting ready to celebrate New Year's Eve, including First Night in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh New Year's Eve forecast

It's going to be a cold New Year's Eve in the Pittsburgh area, with heavy snowfall expected throughout the region. 

A winter weather advisory for the entire region and a winter storm warning for Somerset County and the ridges of Westmoreland and Fayette counties started at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and goes until 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Map shows forecasted snowfall totals

As it gets closer to midnight, expect windy conditions and heavy snow. The heaviest precipitation is likely to occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

The warning areas can expect 3 to 6 inches of snow, though some of the highest ridges could even pick up more than that, while the rest of the region can expect 2 to 4 inches of snow. 

The snowfall is expected to ease up around 3 a.m. on Thursday, but roads will still be slick, especially on untreated surfaces.

PennDOT reduces speed limit on major roads 

PennDOT said in a news release on Wednesday night that, due to the winter storm, the speed limit has been temporarily reduced to 45 mph on the following roadways:

• Interstates 79, 376, 279 and 579 in Allegheny County
• Route 28 in Allegheny County
• Interstate 376 in Beaver County
• Interstate 376 in Lawrence Cunty
• Interstate 79 in Lawrence County
• Interstate 70 in Washington and Westmoreland counties
• Interstate 79 in Greene and Washington counties 

In a news release, PennDOT urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel on Wednesday night. 

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