Folks,

We/ve been receiving and forwarding snowfall total reports all day on the W8MWA and the K8MCR two-meter repeaters. Thanks to those who have provided snowfall reports. The Pittsburgh National Weather service has acknowledged and expressed sincere appreciation for these reports. In addition, the TV Meteorologists at KDKA and WTAE in Pittsburgh have also expressed their appreciation for our reports.

If you haven't yet submitted a snow total report, it isn't too late to do so. All that you need to do is stick a ruler in the snow and report the measurement that you see. I am monitoring both of the above repeaters simultaneously and will be glad to take your reports and forward them to the NWS.

Now, here is where we stand at 1600 EST.

The W8MWA SKYWARN Net is operating in Standby Mode. That means that the SKYWARN net is operating and being monitored but the W8MWA two-meter is open for normal repeater traffic. This will remain the case until the NWS cancels the current winter weather advisories and warnings.

The concern at this time is a series of what the NWS calls "training snow showers." These are lake effect snow showers lined up one right after the other. Any area that they hit can see a considerable amount of snowfall, so heads up.

The official report from the Pittsburgh NWS follows below.

73,

Jeff, WB1AAL

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There is the potential for some training snow showers and/or snow banding on an area extending northwest to southeast just south of the PIT metro this afternoon/evening. Snowfall rates within showers have been increasing over the last couple of hours with visibility reports between 1/2 and 1/4 miles have been observed in the heaviest showers. This will remain a concern as we head into the evening commute.