10 Wintertime Struggles Only True Pittsburghers Can Fully Appreciate
By Beth Price-Williams|Published December 12, 2018
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Hey, Pittsburgh! Winter’s right on our doorstep, whether we’re ready for it or not. And, those of us who have survived a Pittsburgh winter a time or two (or even more) know a little something about what to expect. We have plenty of fun things to look forward to – from vigorous snowball fights to sledding down steep hills. But, we also have our fair share of wintertime struggles…like the 10 below. (What else would you add?)
Pittsburgh winters and severe weather warnings go hand-in-hand. In fact, we’re often warned of impending doom and gloom – in the form of several inches or more of snow – multiple times a week during the longest days of winter. And, we have to decide how to respond: Is the impending storm panic-worthy or not?
So, whether we panicked or just rolled our eyes at the warnings, we also have to deal with the inevitable letdown. That predicted foot of snow turned out to be only a few flurries and some slick spots on the road.
Sometimes we really do get snow. And, that predicted snowstorm always seems to occur when we were planning to do our weekly grocery shopping, right? Now we’re faced with packed stores – with everyone filling up their carts with the necessary bread, milk, and toilet paper.
Parking spaces are a premium, especially in the winter. We’ve worked hard to shovel our cars out of our coveted parking spot, and that chair means the spot belongs to us. Don’t you dare try to take it away.
Let’s all just admit it. Pittsburghers forget how to drive when it rains and when it snows. Still, we’re not afraid to venture out when the weather is bad. We just have to deal with longer-than-normal commutes, especially on roads that haven’t yet been salted.
Schools in Western Pennsylvania tend to call delays and cancellations pretty early in the evening. But, some of them? Well, there’s nothing better than the alarm going off to see that 4 a.m. text or email, telling you that school has been delayed.
And, there it goes again. Wintertime is just downright gloomy in the Burgh, sometimes making it hard to make it through those long winter days. Many of us start counting down the days until spring before winter even officially begins.
Sure, we have plenty to do in Pittsburgh during the wintertime – sledding, skiing, and snowball fights. But, on those days when it’s so cold going outdoors is dangerous, the hours can just drag by. How many days until spring again?
Please don’t snow. Please don’t snow. You have plans. Maybe you’re hosting a birthday party for your little one. Or, perhaps you’re scheduled to fly out of town when the weather forecast calls for snow. Of course, it happens every time, right? It snows.
We sure do get a lot of practice in patience, whether we want to or not. But, at least we can comfort ourselves with the fact that we're yet another day closer to spring.
What others would you add to these 10 wintertime struggles only true Pittsburghers can appreciate? Join the conversation in the comments! Then, take a peek at the type of winter the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts we’ll have this year. Click here to read more.
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