Pittsburgh’s certainly been feeling that bitter cold of winter lately. Are you ready for it? Or, would you rather hibernate until spring? Whether you feel excitement or dread for the impending winter days, take heed. You have plenty of ways of surviving a Pittsburgh winter.

1. You can never have too much toilet paper.
Flickr/Bart
You can live without milk. You can survive for a few days without bread. But, toilet paper? Don’t even risk finding out what getting stuck in a snowstorm without toilet paper is like. Just stay stocked up – all winter long.
2. The mere mention of snow means a run on milk and bread at all the stores.
Dan Keck / Flickr
Toilet paper’s not the only thing at a premium when the local meteorologists mention the dreaded "s" word. Milk and bread flies off of the shelves, too. So, just be prepared for the elbowing and long lines that come along with stocking up on the essentials when snow’s on its way.
3. You think driving is bad the rest of the year? Just wait for the snow.
Flickr/Via Tsuji
You’ve got a few kinds of winter drivers in the Burgh. Those drivers who are overly confident will drive with snow on the road as though it’s a sunny summer day. Then, there are the nervous and inexperienced drivers, going extra slow. Everyone else tends to fall somewhere in between. But, it just emphasizes the importance of staying alert during the winter.
4. Setting the alarm extra early is just a part of winter.
Zeev Barkan / Flickr
Rush hour stinks any time of the year. But, add some snow and ice to the mix, and you’re looking at extra time on the road just to get where you’re going. Save yourself the stress by getting up and leaving early.
5. You don’t have to count on the scrolling school delays on TV screens anymore.
Flickr/Jason Pratt
Whew. Remember how annoying it was (and still is, if you watch the news) to watch the scrolling school delays for your school district on TV? If you sneeze or glance away for even a second, you might miss your school and have to wait until it rolls around again. Thankfully, schools now have text and email alerts to make your life easier.

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6. Keep that ice scraper handy in your car.
Flickr/Scott Butner
We’re usually forewarned when it comes to nasty impending weather. But, you never know when you’ll walk out of your front door or out of work to find icy and snowy windshields.
7. Save your parking spot with a chair.
Flickr/Romona Klee
That chair we love to sit on to watch the sunset in the summer? That’s our "this is MY parking spot" chair in the winter.
8. If you see a parking spot saved with a chair, keep on driving by.
Flickr/Christopher Amrich
Don’t even dare moving that chair. It’s saving the parking space of the person who worked really hard to dig out their car.
9. Expect the unexpected.
Flickr/Ken Sutton
Weather in Pittsburgh is finicky all year around. But, it can get downright crazy in the winter. You might wake up to mild temperatures, only to drive home during a snowstorm. You’ve got to learn to just go with the flow in the Burgh. That really is key to surviving a Pittsburgh winter.
10. Just have some fun!
Flickr/Via Tsuji
Remember how fun snow was when we were kids? Sled riding? Making snowmen? Just watching the snow fall from inside our cozy homes? Recapture some of that childhood magic by having fun during those snowy, wintry days.

Did we have you laughing, nodding in agreement or just shaking your head with these survival tips? What are some other tips you have for fellow yinzers on surviving a Pittsburgh winter? Leave a note in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you.

If you’re still not intimidated by a Pittsburgh winter, check out this article to read about the five worst winter storms in Pittsburgh.

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More to Explore

Winter in Pittsburgh

Katie Feldkamp | November 29, 2022

What are some of the best activities to do during winter in Pittsburgh?

There is no shortage of activities to do during winter in Pittsburgh. This year, write these on your winter bucket list then go out and get busy crossing them off!

You can read more about these activities, and more, in this article.

Where are some places to visit during winter in Pittsburgh?

When the temperatures drop and you find yourself indoors more and more, fight off cabin fever by checking out some of these amazing places during winter in Pittsburgh:

  • Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink
  • Seven Springs Mountain Resort
  • Boyce Park
  • Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
  • Moraine State Park
  • Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
  • Pittsburgh Zoo

For more information on these places and more, check out this article on top winter destinations near Pittsburgh.

What are some winter day trips to take near Pittsburgh?

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house, and a day trip is the perfect amount of time to do just that. If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some of the best winter day trips to take near Pittsburgh:

  • Hidden Valley Resort in Somerset
  • Moraine State Park
  • Cook Forest State Park
  • Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
  • Seven Springs Mountain Resort
  • Keystone State Park
  • Laurel Mountain Resort

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