Pittsburghers most likely to have enjoyed this week's weather are either avid skiers, or owners of companies who distribute windshield washer fluid. After a week of above average temperatures, Mother Nature gripped the area with another blast of frigid air and heavy snow. Just a week earlier, Western Pennsylvania saw the mercury reach 70 degrees for the first time of the year, prompting long lines at the car wash.

The most recent storm dropped an additional 4-6 inches of snow on the Pittsburgh area, bringing the total snowfall for the winter to 65.7 inches. That makes the '95-'96 winter the sixth snowiest on record.

Aside from the traffic tie-ups and fender benders, the snow raised additional concerns. Some communities have nearly depleted their allotment of road salt for the year, and school officials in many communities may resort to holding Saturday sessions to make up missed days. The state mandates that public school students must receive the equivalent of 180 days of instruction.

Pittsburgh residents can take heart in knowing they didn't get hit with the worst storms this winter had to offer. Many cities along the east coast broke all-time records. Boston, for example, has seen 99.6 inches of snow, the most since record-keeping began 105 years ago.