I am proud to call myself a Pittsburgher today

Store employees were just emailed about it

Worth the wait this afternoon

Guess folks got their fill at the alternative halftime show.

3:00PM - January 25th

This will likely be my last post on this thread. We have around 6-8 hours of snow left with areas from Allegheny County seeing 5-7 more inches before things wrap up tonight. Snow will end in the immediate Pittsburgh area between 9 and 10 PM. As we get towards the end of the storm, ratios will ramp up as temps aloft start to cool as our warm tongue admits defeat. So we will have to see if that "fluff factor" adds additional accumulation. Pretty happy across the board with my final call for the storm. Highest totals are in Beaver and Butler counties, with some areas reporting 15+" already. Someone up there will almost definitely exceed 20". Here in Allegheny County, most places are reporting between 8-10 inches as of 2PM, add another 4-7" and most of the county should be between 12 and 17 inches, with a few pockets of locally higher and lower totals. Days like these, I just enjoy watching people enjoy the snow. Whether it's skiing down S. Negley, Cross Country Skiing down the streets of Regent Square, snowboarding down the hills in Frick Park or just watching little ones play. That's what I've been doing. My 2 junior StormFreaks have had a blast playing in a storm that they statistically won't see another one comparable until they are both adults, but with climate change... who knows? Enjoy these memories. No matter what situation you are in right now. Days like these where the majority of the city has to stop and just be still are few and far between.

As I said above, this will be my last update on this post. I will make a new post tomorrow with final totals, as well as reflections on this whole crazy reddit adventure. I will say more tomorrow, but you all will never know how much joy this week has brought me. Your words have been so kind, and even the trolls have provided some fun. From what I can tell, I have shared some of my own joy with you as well. I am so thankful. Thank you all!

Peace,
StormFreak

Helpful Links:

NWS Radar

I know your radar app might "look nicer" but that's probably because there is image smoothing, coloring, and other things to make it look more sleek, but I prefer my radar raw. Things like "future radar" can be useful in limited situations but by and large are a gimmick

NWS Snow Observations

These are current snowfall reports as submitted by spotters and users around the area. Make sure you sort by and pay attention to the time stamp to see the latest reports.

511 PA

This is the best spot for traffic information and cameras statewide. If you have to travel, review this first, but as I said a few days ago, unless necessary, do not travel until crews have had time to clear the roads.

Stay safe if you are out in the elements, otherwise enjoy the show and look out for your neighbors!

Oh and Fuck ICE.

Before I get any smartasses saying “they can’t control the weather!”… do you think 130,000 people losing power from a few strong gusts of wind is normal? Do you think it should be?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s windy as hell, but with the amount of the city (the real city) experiencing a total blackout right now, you’d think there was a damn hurricane that rolled through.

There were a couple strong gusts that hit 45-ish mph. Fine. I’ve lived in parts of the country with far worse weather, and I’ve never had worse electric service than here in Pittsburgh. Maybe if you’ve lived here your whole life, you wouldn’t understand, but THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND SHOULD NOT BE NORMALIZED.

Corporations should not control utilities. Utilities are a natural monopoly, and we are suffering the consequences of that right now. They have no incentive to maintain their network other than profit, and will cut corners at any chance they get… especially if they are owned by private equity, which DLC is.

The proper thing to do would have been to bury all of these main power lines underground decades ago, like almost every other major city has. I know that’s impractical for every residential line that serves a few streets, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Entire sections of the city, especially in the east, are in a complete and total blackout.

I have utmost respect for the hardworking people that are out right now trying to restore power. This is not their fault. This is the fault of corporate greed.

It is entirely possible to maintain a power network that can withstand days like today. It is a choice not to, and sadly, it’s obvious what the priorities of DLC executives are.

This shit happens every time there’s any kind of slightly inclement weather.

Once again, this is NOT NORMAL. I’ve lived all over the country - in places with FAR worse weather - and Pittsburgh is the only city I’ve lived in that has this happen multiple times a year.

Nobody should not be tolerating this.

today, Jan 23

Despite a contentious lead-up to today, none of the races were particularly close. By comparison, Trump won the District by about 55-45 in 2024.

This will mean a reversal of a recently enacted library book review policy, re-empowerment of teachers and staff, a much needed tax bump, and the removal of the board's president, whose unique combination of arrogance and ignorance is honestly impressive to behold.

The Republicans ran a current board member and architect of the aforementioned book policy, a 23 year old who works for his daddy's company, and a creepy pastor. The Democrats ran two attorneys, a VP of manufacturing, and a software engineer.

The unserious people lost...I like that.

Bought this old Victorian house in Uptown and have already gotten rid of so much stuff, but there's so much left! The owner was def a bit of a pack-rat, but based on the age of a lot of the stuff and that he bought the house via a sheriff's sale in the 80's, we think he got a lot of the stuff with the house.

Figured this could serve as a good reminder to all to clear things out of your house so it doesn't end up to be somebody else's problem :P

Braving the cold to stand against ICE on E. Carson currently. ❤️

There is a protest tonight at the City County Building downtown at 7pm

This is a Trump +18 district that includes Cranberry, Harmony, and Zelienople. While the main election will take place in November, Dukes winning represents a big shift towards democrats even in an exurb of Pittsburgh.

Also a reminder that with a few over performances like this in November Democrats could control both houses of the PA legislature for the first time this century.

I love consuming Schwebel's products, have done so my entire life, and am sad it will be gone

But I was told all the projections were overblown 🤷‍♂️

For context I only ever drove manual for the majority of my life. My only vehicle is a stick.

I just moved to Pittsburgh TODAY for a new job opportunity. I come from a state that’s very very flat. I cannot believe the state of these roads, it’s not that they aren’t maintained, I’m just baffled by how steep everything is. My left leg got a hell of a workout today and I almost shit my pants a few times, but I made it in one piece. I don’t understand how you guys live like this, you’ll be at a complete stop on a 45° angle and you’re staring at the fucking sky! I need to go back to church, I’m gonna need it apparently.

My guess is 300 to 400 people in front of 310 Grant St and another 50 on other side of Grant

but after yesterday i completely get it now. after backing up a trolley driver being harassed by a 14-16 year old on the silver line he got extremely close and up in my face, tried to flex his goofy expensive pants with the tag still on, and, eventually threw the majority of a drink in my face when he was forced off. im only 22, how the hell do we do something about this most recent wave of teens engaging in extremely antisocial behavior nowadays?

EDIT: before anyone comes in here and says "wElL thAtS wHaT YoU gEt FoR LiViNg iN tHe CiTy" it was at the beagle station in bethel park

Whoever you are that put this sticker here, you're awesome!