The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh changed its status from winter weather watch to the more intense winter weather warning due to an expected combination of snow and ice.

The warning was issued at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The warning said impacts from snow and ice will likely be seen on Thursday afternoon into Friday, with higher snow totals north of Interstate 80.

Ice accumulation will be the primary threat for most of the area, according to the NWS.

A map that accompanied the warning showed the north and northwestern section of the county receiving 6 to 8 inches of snow, 4 to 6 inches in a diagonal line through the middle of the county, 3 to 4 inches for most of the southern half of the county, and a small section of the far southeastern communities at 2 to 3 inches of snow.

Regarding ice accumulation, the NWS predicted up to a quarter-inch of ice across the entire county.

The forecast shows the storm will begin Wednesday night, but Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with NWS Pittsburgh, said conditions at that time will mostly be wet rain.

“We’re looking more so Thursday night into Friday for these impacts to be seen.”

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