The Pittsburgh Snow Survival Guide
(Read This Before the City Shuts Down)
Pittsburgh snow isn’t just about inches.
It’s about hills, bridges, narrow streets, and timing — and that’s where people get burned.
Here’s how to actually survive a major snowfall in this city.
1. Understand the Snow Timeline (This Is Where People Mess Up)
In Pittsburgh, storms usually break into three phases:
Phase 1: “It’s not that bad.”
Roads look fine. People are still out. This is your last chance to do anything.
Phase 2: “Why did I come out?”
Snow packs down, temps drop, and traction disappears — especially on hills.
Phase 3: “Citywide pause.”
Plows can’t keep up. Side streets are untouched. Everything slows or stops.
👉 Rule: If you wait until Phase 2, you waited too long.
2. Hills Will Trap You (Both Directions)
Pittsburgh hills are unforgiving in snow.
If you can’t get up, you’re stuck
If you do get up, don’t assume you can get back down
Braking downhill is harder than accelerating uphill
Hard truth:
Some hills become effectively closed until conditions improve — even if they’re technically open.
Ask me how I know?1? I’ve singlehandedly slid down a Mount Washington hillside. I got too far and there was no going back. Couldn’t go back, had to go forward, started sliding, no stopping. I held on and prayed 😂 . Clearly I’m here to tell the story.
👉 If your route involves a steep hill, rethink it early.
3. Plows Prioritize, Not Equalize
Here’s how plowing actually works:
Main arteries
Bus routes
Emergency access roads
Everyone else (eventually)
If you live on:
a side street
a dead end
a steep residential hill
👉 Plan like you won’t see a plow for a while.
Pro move:
Park downhill and facing out if possible. It matters more than you think.
4. Bridges Are Not a Myth (They Will Freeze)
You’ve seen the signs. This is when they matter.
Bridges freeze faster
Overpasses ice invisibly
River crossings become bottlenecks
In Pittsburgh, bridges + hills = chaos.
👉 If your route crosses multiple bridges, assume delays or closures.
5) Salt helps — it doesn’t save you.
In a storm like this, salt is not a solution. It’s a supporting tool.
Don’t throw it down expecting it to beat heavy snow
Don’t rely on it to make hills or driveways “safe”
Don’t assume salted = passable
What salt is good for:
After you shovel
After plows come through
Steps, sidewalks, and flat areas
What it won’t do:
Melt a foot of snow
Prevent sliding on steep hills
Save bad decisions
👉 Use salt strategically, not emotionally.
6. Prepare for the Cold After the Snow
The real problems often come after the storm.
Refreeze turns slush into ice
Pipes are at higher risk
Heating systems work overtime
Checklist:
Drip faucets if temps drop hard
Clear vents and exhaust pipes
Replace furnace filters if needed
7. If You Don’t Need to Be Out — Don’t Be Out
This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s experience.
Most Pittsburgh snow disasters happen because:
someone thought “one quick trip” was fine
conditions changed faster than expected
a hill or bridge became impassable
👉 Staying home is the smartest move more often than not.
8) Slow the f*ck down.
Winter roads in Pittsburgh are deceptive. A lane can look wet but actually be glare ice. A bridge can feel fine… until it isn’t. Conditions can change in one block, especially with hills and crosswinds.
Ask me how I know:
I was driving through the South Side doing about 40 mph, the road looked fine — then I hit a slick patch, slid, and hammered a curb. Bent my rim, wrecked a tie rod (and more), and it turned into about $3,000 in damage.
Never again.
Rule: If the road is questionable, drive like you’re carrying an open pot of chili in the passenger seat.
A Quick Word on Power, Heat & Reality (Worth Skimming)
Duquesne Light isn’t expecting widespread outages — but storms don’t follow expectations. Here’s what actually matters:
Charge your essentials early (phones, battery packs, laptops)
Have basics accessible: water, food, meds, flashlights
Plan for cold after the snow, not just during it
If you have alternate heat, know how to use it safely
Clear snow from vents, meters, and exhausts by hand
Avoid generators near buildings or enclosed spaces
Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors
If power does go out:
Don’t open your fridge/freezer unnecessarily
Use flashlights, not candles
Stay clear of downed lines — report them, don’t investigate
👉 This isn’t about fear. It’s about being mildly prepared so a bad situation doesn’t get worse.
Bottom Line
Pittsburgh snow isn’t about totals — it’s about timing, terrain, and overconfidence.
If you plan early, move slower than you think you need to, and don’t assume salt or plows will save you, you’ll be fine.
If not?
The city has a way of teaching lessons the hard way.
Why This Matters (Context)
The last time Pittsburgh saw snowfall projections like this was Snowmageddon (2010) — over 21 inches, cars buried, citywide disruption.
Before that? The 1993 Storm of the Century.
This isn’t a dusting.
It’s a plan-ahead storm.
