Arctic Blast Forces School Closures, Delays Across Western Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A brutal arctic blast has gripped western Pennsylvania, forcing multiple school districts to announce delays and closures as temperatures plummeted to single digits and wind chills dipped below zero Wednesday morning.

Chief Meteorologist Mike Harvey of Pittsburgh's Action Weather warned residents of the extreme cold, with temperatures expected to hover near 10 degrees and wind chills making it feel even colder. “A lot of locations will be below 10 degrees, and the wind will be blowing,” Harvey said. “We’ll have a wind chill in many areas on Wednesday and Thursday mornings that will be below zero.”

Wednesday marked the second consecutive day of dangerously cold weather in the region. Temperatures in Pittsburgh officially dropped to 10 degrees, but many areas reported single-digit lows. Wind chills exacerbated the frigid conditions, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and students alike.

Several school districts, including those in Youngstown, Sharon, and Farrell, opted for remote learning or canceled classes altogether. As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, at least eight public and private schools in Youngstown had announced closures. In Pennsylvania, Sharon and Farrell Schools shifted to remote learning to ensure student safety.

Harvey also warned of additional weather challenges later in the week. “Thursday will bring some snow, possibly one to two inches, as another system moves through,” he said. While Friday is expected to bring slightly warmer temperatures, Saturday will see a mix of rain and snow showers, further complicating travel and outdoor activities.

Residents are advised to monitor local weather updates and school district announcements for the latest information. The WTAE app provides real-time severe weather alerts and breaking news for those in the Pittsburgh area.