Frost on the pumpkin? Try snow.

Two wintry weather systems are moving toward the Pittsburgh area, with the slim possibility of snow accumulation by week's end.

"You don't want to think it's a sure thing, because it's not," said Tom Kines, a meteorologist with AccuWeather in State College, Centre County. "It will more likely be a cold rain, with some wet snowflakes mixed in."

Still -- snow?

"Well, the possibility is there," said Bob Coblentz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. "There's a pretty strong cold front moving through here, and this time of year is pretty fickle.

"It's one of those things where, yes, it can happen, but it will probably be a few flakes at elevation if it does happen," Mr. Coblentz said.

AccuWeather's report leans more toward a cold, rainy episode beginning tomorrow, although Mr. Kines said the Laurel Highlands might see a crippling wet snow if the worst-case scenario plays out.

"In the mountains, the leaves are still on the trees. If it snows and the leaves catch the snow, it adds more weight onto the tree limbs and that's when you get downed power lines."

This October has been slightly below average in terms of precipitation, with 94/100ths of an inch, Mr. Kines said. Temperatures have been running almost four degrees below normal, with a cold front expected to move in yesterday.

Highs in the area normally are 64 degrees with a low of 44. Temperatures are expected to dip to the mid-30s and might not break 50 until Sunday, according to Mr. Coblentz. But the National Weather Service predicts a brief Indian summer early next week.

"It's just going to be gloomy fall Western Pennsylvania weather until then," Mr. Coblentz said.

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