Between the rains, the ice and intense snow squalls, the Pittsburgh region was hit with a heavy dose of Mother Nature late Friday and early Saturday.
Parts of three interstates in Downtown Pittsburgh were closed Friday evening because of anticipated flooding, PennDOT said. By Saturday morning, the rivers had risen enough to cover the tip of Point State Park at the confluence. According to the National Weather Service, the Ohio River at Pittsburgh crested at 22.93 feet at 5:30 a.m. Flood stage is reached at 25 feet.
Snow squalls affected visibility conditions, with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission issuing warnings to drivers, urging everyone to use caution while traveling and follow guidelines when traveling on a highway in such conditions.
Snow squalls will impact the #paturnpike today. Use caution while traveling and follow the guidance below from @PEMAHQ when traveling on a highway during a snow squall. https://t.co/MX8YkFLC7b
— PA Turnpike Alerts (@PATurnpikeAlert) February 19, 2022
A ramp leading from the Fort Duquesne Bridge to the Parkway East, as well as the “bathtub” section of the Parkway East closed around 10 p.m. as impacts are still felt from rain and warm temperatures that moved through the region Thursday. In addition, the 10th Street Bypass closed around 4 p.m. due to flooding.
The ramp, commonly referred to as the Interstate Connector, leads traffic traveling south on Interstate 279 over the Fort Duquesne Bridge to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 376.
In addition, the 10th Street Bypass between I-279 Parkway North/Fort Duquesne Bridge and Fort Duquesne Boulevard was also closed. A detour was not provided.
This is the 10th Street bypass in @Pittsburgh It is covered with water and ice...lots of it. #WPXI @WPXIWeather pic.twitter.com/dImzctGPjB
— Gigi (@wpxigigi) February 19, 2022
Traffic traveling through the “bathtub” area of the Parkway East, between Grant Street and the Fort Pitt Bridge, was detoured for a while.
As of 10:15 a.m. Saturday, all roads except the 10th Street Bypass appeared to be open and traffic flowing freely.
According to the National Weather Service in Moon, the Ohio River at Pittsburgh and the Allegheny River at the Sharpsburg/Highland Park lock and dam were near flood stage Friday evening because of rain and snow melt.
Now that the rain is over and light snow showers linger, we are keeping a close eye on district river levels across the region.
The latest river rise forecasts are in and be accessed here: https://t.co/DM2B5bekvB pic.twitter.com/rnK6Vc0cLu
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) February 18, 2022