Lake Effect Snow Warning

Full Alert Message

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Cleveland OH 418 AM EST Wed Jan 1 2025 ...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 14 inches, mainly in the northern two-thirds of Geauga County, areas of Lake County, south of Interstate 90, and areas of Cuyahoga County, east of Interstate 271. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake Counties. * WHEN...Until 7 PM EST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult at times due to slippery road conditions and poor visibility. The hazardous conditions may impact the morning and evening commutes on Wednesday and Thursday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Rain continues to switch over to snow across Northeast Ohio this morning with snow being favored in the higher hills of Northeast Ohio. Snow will move out with the low pressure system and become more scattered later this morning. More traditional lake effect snow will develop this evening and continue overnight into Thursday, bringing heavy snow bands and higher snowfall rates. The lake-effect snow is expected to shift north of the area for a time on Thursday afternoon and night before additional periods of lake-effect snow return for Friday through weekend. Areas of Geauga County could have up to 2 feet of total snowfall by the end of the weekend. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission strongly encourage motorists to heed all travel restrictions and delay unnecessary travel. Visit www.ohgo.com for the latest travel, roadway, and traffic conditions. Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded. During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.