This cold stretch is the kind that sneaks up on plans. The snow may be done, but the deep freeze isn’t — which means what looks fine outside at noon can turn uncomfortable (or unsafe) fast after dark.

Weekend plans need a tighter window than usual. Short outings are fine; long “let’s just wander” days aren’t. Pick one or two stops, then head home before the temperature really drops.

Side streets and sidewalks are still the wildcard. Main roads are mostly fine, but neighborhood hills, shaded sidewalks, and untreated steps haven’t magically fixed themselves — especially in the morning and after sunset.

If you’ve got kids or pets, bundle like you’ll be standing still. The issue isn’t walking — it’s waiting. Bus stops, playgrounds, and dog walks feel colder than the forecast suggests.

This is peak ‘old Pittsburgh house’ weather. Drafts, cold floors, and cranky furnaces show up during stretches like this. If something’s been barely holding on, this is when you’ll notice.

Indoor plans are having a moment for a reason. Museums, movies, early dinners, and afternoon plans make way more sense than late-night anything this weekend.

What to do: plan daytime outings, layer more than you think you need, keep trips short, and check sidewalks before committing to a route.
What to skip: late-night wandering, assuming conditions improved just because it didn’t snow, and pretending this cold will “break tomorrow.”

Local truth: This is the kind of Pittsburgh weekend where you still go out — you just do it earlier, smarter, and with better gloves.

The deep freeze isn’t letting up. The snow may be done, but Pittsburgh is settling into a multi-day stretch where ice, wind, and snowpack matter more than totals — and everyday plans quietly get more complicated because of it.

Snow routes are telling the real story. Main roads are mostly fine, but side streets and hill neighborhoods are still hit-or-miss, which is why “did my street get plowed?” remains the most Pittsburgh question of the week.

The Steelers’ reset is officially in motion. With Mike McCarthy in place and early staff decisions taking shape, the city is already doing what it does best — reading between the lines and debating what kind of team this is about to become.

Price reductions picked up noticeably. More sellers adjusted this week, which usually means expectations are recalibrating rather than collapsing.

Inventory kept growing — even in the cold. New listings continued to hit the market despite winter weather, giving buyers more choice than a few weeks ago.

Homes are still selling, just with less urgency. Contracts are happening, but fewer rush decisions and more deliberate pacing.

Mortgage rates stayed steady instead of moving the goalposts. With rates holding, pricing and condition mattered more than financing headlines.

Sidewalks are the real test right now. The gap between treated streets and untreated walks is obvious in this cold, which is why a short trip can still feel like an obstacle course.

Older homes are showing their personality. Drafts, cold floors, slow drains, and overworked furnaces have a way of revealing themselves during a prolonged freeze like this.

Small businesses are quietly adjusting. Shorter hours, earlier closings, and fewer dine-in crowds aren’t random — they’re how winter actually plays out on the ground.

Dog walks have become a negotiation. Paw protection, shorter loops, and “let’s just go back inside” moments are happening citywide.

This is peak ‘indoor Pittsburgh’ season. Museums, movies, early dinners, and afternoon plans are winning out over late-night anything — and no one’s complaining much.