As you dig out yet again today, take cold comfort in knowing this winter is one for the record books.
February has eclipsed the record for the snowiest month ever in Pittsburgh since records began being kept in 1876, National Weather Service meteorologist Lee Hendricks said.
The latest snowstorm has pushed the count to 41.8 inches — and counting — beating January 1978's total of 40.2 inches, Hendricks said.
"Normal February snowfall is 8.5 inches, for what that's worth," Hendricks said, adding that the average snowfall in a year is 40.6 inches. "We exceeded the normal annual snowfall amount in one month."
The snow and windy conditions overnight prompted more than 325 closings or delays to be called in to Tribune-Review news partner WTAE-TV. Pittsburgh Public Schools closed for the day.
Port Authority bus service was "significantly delayed" on most routes because of the snow, spokesman Jim Ritchie said.
The majority of the main roads were wet, but PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi cautioned that drivers should be careful on bridges and ramps because they can freeze first.
"People really need to think about minimizing unnecessary trips this afternoon and evening," he said. "With winds at speeds like this, (snow) can drift over very quickly."
This is the eighth-snowiest season on record with 70 inches, Hendricks said.
And the region is in store for more — today's forecast calls for 2 to 4 inches of snow, with another 1 to 2 inches by morning, he said.
Additional Information:Snowiest seasons in Pittsburgh
82 inches in 1950-51
78.5 inches in 1913-14
76.8 inches in 1993-94
76 inches in 1960-61
74.5 inches in 1995-96
72.1 inches in 1992-93
70.7 inches in 1969-70
70 inches in 2009-10*
*as of 7 a.m. today
Source: National Weather Service
Additional Information:Snowiest months in Pittsburgh
41.8 inches in February 2010*
40.2 inches in January 1978
36.3 inches in December 1890
34.1 inches in March 1993
32.2 inches in November 1950
*as of 7 a.m. today
Source: National Weather Service
