Josh Imhof | features editor

As the sun set on Tuesday evening, Paul Miller, an associate professor of musicianship at Duquesne and computer science student, stood on the snow-covered McCloskey Field and dodged chunks of slush hurled at him by his son.

Miller, a former New York and Colorado resident, said he is no stranger to snowy weather, but has mixed feelings about it.

“I don’t really like this, but I’m used to it. This is what it is, and that’s where we are,” Miller said.

On early Tuesday morning, a winter storm blanketed Pittsburgh in almost 4 inches of heavy, slushy snow, to both the dismay and enjoyment of students and faculty.

This marked the season’s first substantial snowfall.

Western Pennsylvania has seen a total of about 4.3 inches of snow since November and can expect to see more, especially compared to the past few years, said Bill Modzelewski, a forecaster at the Pittsburgh National Weather Service.

“It does look like more of an active pattern, a little bit colder than what we’ve had the last couple of years and last couple of seasons … and slightly above normal precipitation,” he said.

Still, residents can expect to have the occasional sunny day as the heart of winter approaches.

“We’ll get a day or two where we can warm up ahead of a strong cold front, and we’ll get a cold outbreak behind that. So those types of things are still possible through the winter,” Modzelewski said.

The 2024-2025 season saw the sixth-lowest amount of snowfall on record with only 16.3 total inches, according to the National Weather Service. This year, Modzelewski predicts at least double that, which could pose a challenge to Duquesne’s almost 4,800 commuter students.

“My neighborhood is a little more of a rural area, so it was kind of chaotic,” said Vanessa Miller, a freshman who commutes from Cranberry.

Last year, a few slippery close calls at stop signs made her more cautious when driving in dangerous conditions.

“Today I knew going in [to] make sure I have enough time to slow down,” she said.

Despite this, Miller said she ended up in a neighbor’s yard after sliding down a hill because the street was not yet treated. She said she wouldn’t have come to school if the main roads had not been treated in time for her commute.

“For me, it’s not worth risking my safety,” she said.

Other students had a more peaceful journey to school, like Kayla Naumann, a freshman commuter student from Whitehall.

Naumann lives near Caste Village, a large shopping plaza in the South Hills, so she said most of the roads around her were clear.

“I feel pretty good getting to school,” she said.

On campus, members of the grounds crew arrived as early as 3 a.m. to prepare for the incoming storm.

Kristen Spirl, supervisor of the grounds department, said that it is all about coordination when getting campus ready for a snow day.

“Some folks handle roads, others tackle parking lots and sidewalks, and new team members often shadow experienced staff to learn the ropes,” she said. “It’s a true team effort.”

Spirl, who has two different weather apps on her phone, begins planning for snow days in advance by monitoring forecasts.

“It’s hard work, but honestly, it’s rewarding. Every storm teaches us something new and strengthens the camaraderie among the facilities team,” she said. “It’s worth it to keep everyone safe.”

Despite a snow-covered campus, students found ways to adapt their routines.

Tony Perrotta, an offensive lineman on the Duquesne football team, braved the cold to complete his workout. He grabbed a shovel and cleared a 30-yard path in the snow on McCloskey, so he could run sprints.

“Our season just ended so I’m trying to stay in shape,” he said.

The snow also didn’t disrupt freshman Ella Mansfield from running 3 miles around campus either.

“It’s fun to have the extra challenge,” she said.

Other students took the opportunity to enjoy canceled classes outside.

By nightfall, over a dozen snowmen populated campus fields and green spaces.

Freshmen Riley George and Colleen Jerry built one on Rooney Field after their classes had either been canceled or switched to zoom because their teachers could not make it onto campus.

A Pittsburgh native, Jerry said she enjoyed the white landscape, but that she wished she could change one thing.

“I wish I remembered to bring snow gloves,” she said.

Josh Imhof can be reached at imhofj@duq.edu