The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a lake-effect snow warning for several counties in Northeast Ohio, effective through early Monday. This advisory impacts Summit, Portage, Medina, and Cuyahoga counties until 7 a.m. on Monday.
Lake-Effect Snow Forecast
Residents can expect additional snowfall, with Summit and Medina counties anticipating 1 to 3 inches, and Portage County expecting 2 to 4 inches. The NWS has warned that snowfall rates could reach up to 1 inch per hour through this evening.
Areas Most Affected
The snowfall will primarily influence the following regions:
- Northeastern Lorain
- Northern Medina
- Northern and western Portage County
- Central Summit County
As a result of the snowfall, road conditions could become slick and hazardous, especially on bridges and overpasses. Visibility may drop to below a quarter mile due to drifting and falling snow.
Travel Safety Advisories
The NWS and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) have urged caution for anyone traveling during this period. If travel is unavoidable, motorists are advised to proceed with extreme caution and consider preparing a winter storm kit. This kit should include:
- Tire chains
- Booster cables
- A flashlight
- A shovel
- Blankets and extra clothing
- Water and a first aid kit
Additionally, the ODOT and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission strongly recommend delaying unnecessary travel. For updated travel information, residents are encouraged to visit www.ohgo.com.
Snowfall Reports
Significant snowfall has already been observed in various locations. The latest reports from the NWS detail amounts across specific areas:
- Strongsville: 7 inches
- North Ridgeville: 3.8 inches
- Streetsboro: 3.4 inches
- Kent: 3.4 inches
- Ravenna: 2.8 inches
- Spencer: 2.1 inches
Weather Conditions
Besides snowfall, cold temperatures will significantly impact outdoor temperatures. A high near 20 degrees is expected today, with wind chill values potentially dropping as low as -3. Wind gusts could reach up to 30 mph. Tonight, temperatures are predicted to dip to around 11 degrees. On Monday, a similar high of near 21 degrees is forecasted, along with a 20% chance of precipitation from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
